Donors Give $20,000 to Boost Southampton Arts Endowment Fund
Two donors have contributed a combined $20,000 to a new Community Foundation Grey Bruce fund supporting Southampton Arts, ensuring long-term benefits for the local arts community.
Two donors have made a combined $20,000 contribution to a new Community Foundation Grey Bruce (CFGB) fund that will provide long-term support for Southampton Arts.
Fred Kuntz, Chair of the Board of Southampton Arts, donated $10,000 to establish the J. Fred Kuntz Endowed Fund, a sub-fund of the existing Southampton Arts Centre Endowment Fund. Kuntz’s contribution was matched by $10,000 from Merv Redman of Kitchener, a long-time summer visitor to Saugeen Shores and supporter of the arts.
“We want to support the arts community in Southampton in the long run,” Kuntz said. “That’s the beauty of donating through Community Foundation. The investment just keeps giving.”
Redman added, “The arts add so much to the quality of life in a community – that is why I support Southampton Arts.”
Southampton Arts operates the Southampton Art School, founded in 1957, which offers summer arts courses for roughly 1,000 youth and adults, and the Southampton Art Gallery, located in the historic former Town Hall, which showcases and sells works from about 40 local and regional artists.
The original Southampton Arts Centre Endowment Fund was created in 2010–11 with $30,000, including $20,000 from local donors and the organization itself, plus $10,000 in matching funds from CFGB.
Through investment growth, that fund has reached about $45,000, generating over $1,900 in grants for 2025. Earnings from the new sub-fund will be added to the main endowment to increase annual grants to the arts organization.
Redman has been a consistent supporter, including direct donations and a two-year, interest-free $25,000 loan in 2024 to help the organization recover from pandemic-related setbacks. Earlier this year, following Saugeen Shores Council’s $50,000 funding commitment to Southampton Arts, Redman contributed an additional $5,000 directly to the organization.
“I was especially heartened this year to see Town council commit to supporting Southampton Arts – a municipal vote of confidence in the organization’s mission and value,” Redman said. “It inspired me to make these additional donations, both to Southampton Arts directly and to the endowment fund with the Community Foundation.”
CFGB Executive Director Stuart Reid welcomed the contributions, saying, “We remain a steadfast source for good in our communities, helping to build a vibrant, healthy and sustainable future.”
Founded in 1994, Community Foundation Grey Bruce says it works to enhance community vitality through open discussion of local needs, strategic granting, and growing endowments in support of non-profit organizations across the region.