The County of Prince Edward’s non-profit leadership program has been nominated for the Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO) Award of Excellence in the Planning & Strategic Development category.
The municipal program aimed to strengthen the local nonprofit sector — a key driver of the County’s rural economy — so that these organizations can continue to have an impact on the community.
“We recognize it’s challenging for leaders in the non-profit sector to find the funds and the time to invest in themselves,” says Emily Cowan, Director, Community Services, Programs & Initiatives. “That’s why we launched this unique program to support our vital partners in the community as they provide stellar service to residents, which ultimately contributes to a vibrant, resilient local economy.”
Using $38,000 provided through Ontario’s Rural Economic Development (RED) funding, the municipality partnered with Clearview Training & Consulting to deliver:
- 11 leadership and governance workshops for non-profit boards and staff, attended by representatives from 18 County-based organizations
- Strategic planning support for six organizations, including County Food Hub, County Stage Company, Department of Illumination, PEC Wines, TheROC and the Regent Theatre
- Fundraising and donor engagement training to help organizations thrive in a competitive funding landscape.
“The municipality’s work exemplifies excellence in the economic development profession,” says Sharon Vreugdenhil, Executive Director, PEC Wines. “Their ability to convene diverse voices, foster strategic thinking, and translate vision into action sets a high standard for municipalities across the province. The relationship our association has fostered with the municipality’s Economic Development team is an incredibly valuable asset.”
The program was designed to address common challenges faced by non-profits in rural communities, including leadership transitions, limited strategic planning capacity, and the need for sustainable business models. The program’s objectives were to:
- Equip non-profit leaders with tools for strategic thinking, governance, and succession planning
- Support the development of actionable strategic plans aligned with each organization’s mission and community impact
- Foster collaboration between non-profits and the municipality, and where possible, align efforts with broader economic development goals
- Strengthen long-term organizational resilience and readiness for funding and partnership opportunities.
EDCO will announce the winners of its excellence awards in February 2026.
If you have questions or require further information about the municipality’s program, contact Karen Palmer, Economic Development Officer, at kpalmer@pecounty.on.ca.