MISSISSAUGA — The City of Mississauga will be doling out almost $3 million in grants to various community groups, festivals and sports and art organizations in 2014.

Today, City Councillors recommended approving $2,860,149 through the municipality's annual arts and culture, cultural festivals and celebrations, recreation and sport and environment grant programs.

Councillors agreed with the grants assessment panel to allocate $1,541,075 to a number of groups as part of its arts and culture program. The Art Gallery of Mississauga received the largest amount of money, $325,000, while other organizations to receive significant amounts include Mississauga Arts Council ($248,450), Heritage Mississauga Foundation ($215,000), Visual Arts Mississauga ($115,000), Sampradaya Dance Creations ($112,000), Mississauga Symphony Orchestra ($110,000) and Living Arts Centre ($100,000).

The Kaleidoscope Chinese Performing Arts Society had asked for $19,950 for expenses associated with programming and administration but were turned down. That prompted Mayor Hazel McCallion to encourage them to apply for financial help through the Hazel McCallion Foundation for the Arts, Culture and Heritage.

"I think they would have a good chance to receive funding," said McCallion.

Various groups that organize and run a variety of Mississauga festivals received $490,432 through the cultural festivals and celebrations program. They include Carassauga ($121,309), Mississauga Waterfront Festival ($96,007), Southside Shuffle ($86,548) and Paint the Town Red ($52,135), among several others.

Councillors also agreed with the assessment panel's recommendation to grant $753,642 through its recreation and sports program. Safe City Mississauga will receive $318,075 while other groups to receive funding include The Riverwood Conservancy ($131,859), Mississauga Sports Council ($85,000) and Square One Older Adult Centre ($66,393), among several other groups.

EcoSource received $75,000 through the environment grant program.

Ward 8 councillor Katie Mahoney, who was chairing the meeting, thanked all the groups who braved the snowstorm to attend. She then cheekily gave everyone a last bit of advice.

"Congratulations on the grants and best wishes to everyone here; spend the money wisely," said Mahoney, eliciting laughs from the crowd.