Fundraising

Our goal: $200,000
To bridge that gap, we’re combining donations, partnerships, and grants. We’ve already made strong progress:
• $130,000 total raised so far

We’re just over halfway there, but we need your help to reach the finish line.

What we’ve replaced so far
With your support, we’ve already made significant progress rebuilding. We’ve purchased:
• A custom boat trailer
• A lightweight 1x
• Two midweight 1x
• Two lightweight 2x-
• Two midweight 2x-
• A gently-used midweight 8+
• A used stern-loader 4+, for use in non-competitive programs
• A heavyweight 4+
• A heavyweight 2x-
These boats are already in use and making a difference for rowers across the club.

What we still need
We’re still working to replace the following boats so that all members, across all programs, have the equipment they need:
• Two 8+

These are key boats for our competitive, recreational and development crews.

We still need to raise another $70,000 to finish the fleet rebuild.

Why it matters
Despite the loss, we’ve kept moving forward. Guelph Rowing Club was recently named 2024 Row Ontario Club of the Year, recognizing our growth, success on the water, and dedication to making rowing accessible for all.
But to keep that momentum going—and to ensure every athlete has the equipment they need—we need to replace the remaining boats.

Every donation counts
Whether you’re a current member, alumni, family, or friend—your support matters. Donations over $10 are eligible for a charitable tax receipt through the National Sport Trust fund.

Thank you for helping us get back on the water—stronger than ever.

Phase 2: REPLACING OUR TRUCK

The truck is essential for trailering boats to regattas, transporting equipment for repairs, and keeping our programs running day to day.

Last season, while we worked intensely to rebuild the fleet, we tested weekend truck rentals. The costs were higher than expected, the logistics fell on already-stretched volunteers, and midweek gas runs and repairs meant borrowing members’ personal trucks. We’ve done the analysis: financing a truck isn’t viable, and continued rentals would eventually force us to raise membership fees. A funded truck, through grants and/or donations, is the best solution to keep rowing accessible and affordable to our community.

Our goal: $77,200

Our members have given generously—remarkably so. For a club of roughly 250 people, raising $130,000 is an extraordinary per-capita achievement, and a true reflection of how much this community values what we’ve built together. We are deeply grateful. For Phase 2, we’re pursuing grant funding—giving our incredible members a well-earned rest while we work to secure the right funding for a capital investment of this size.

We have applied to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for capital funding to support this purchase, and we expect to hear back by end of June 2026. We’re grateful for the Foundation’s consideration, and cautiously optimistic that our application will be successful. While we await the outcome, Phase 1 remains our priority—and every dollar brings us closer to a fully rebuilt fleet.