Category: Category 1

Pictured from left to right: Colin Miller, South Muskoka Hospital Foundation, Maggie and John Cowan and Daniel Bradbury, Muskoka Community Foundation Board Member.

 

 

Muskoka Community Foundation grants $8,000 to Muskoka Charities

 

Muskoka (Immediate Release) – The Muskoka Community Foundation is pleased to announce this year’s grant recipients from the Cowan Family Fund. The Cowan Family Fund was created in July 2014 by John and Maggie Cowan of Collingwood and longtime Muskoka cottagers. The Cowan Family Fund, John and Maggie Cowan and Muskoka Community Foundation continue to support the important work that local and regional charities do, helping to create smart and caring communities.

 

Since the creation of the Cowan Family Fund in 2014, $33,400 has been granted to projects and organization directly impacting the health and vitality of Muskoka and beyond.  This year’s Cowan Family Fund grant recipients are South Muskoka Hospital Foundation, Orillia Soldier’s Memorial Hospital Foundation, Nizagara Online, Collingwood General & Marine Hospital Foundation, and Muskoka Steamship and Historical Society. Gord Durnan, Vice-Chair of Muskoka Community Foundation noted “more and more cottagers are stepping forward to support the important work being done by Muskoka charities by both volunteering their time and expertise, with generous philanthropic donations directed to their favorite causes as well as establishing endowed Family Funds with the Muskoka Community Foundation”.

 

Muskoka Community Foundation is one of 191 Community Foundations in Canada administering over $730,000 in endowed and other assets.  Since it was founded in 2007, the Muskoka Community Foundation has granted over $230,000 directly to a variety of registered charities throughout Muskoka. You can learn more about the Foundation on their website: www.muskokacommunityfoundation.ca/dev.

 

 

To view the summary report from the 2016 Wasan Island Symposium please click on the link below.

 

Wasan 2 Report V.7

Muskoka Community Foundation was fortunate to have once again been invited to Wasan Island.  On June 1st we held the 2016 Wasan Island Symposium: A Smart & Caring Muskoka for Children and Youth.  The conversations were rich and diverse with over 30 people representing local government, not-for-profits, community leaders and donors in attendance.  We are most thankful for the wonderful hospitality and support shown by Volker Hann of the Breuninger Foundation and Executive Director of Wasan Island and his amazing staff.

A report of the days events and conversations is currently being compiled and we hope to share it with you soon.

https://www.muskokaregion.com/opinion-story/6713712-island-of-innovation/

 

Thank you to all of those who attended the 3rd Annual Smart & Caring Muskoka Celebration on Friday, May 13th!  Over 140 people attended this year making this our largest celebration so far.   Look forward to seeing you all next year.

Here are a few photos from the day.

Governance Workshop for Muskoka’s Charities and Nonprofits: In a time of changing legislation and greater attention on improved accountability, a strong board of directors and management is the backbone of every charitable and nonprofit organization. With greater financial demands and increasing board responsibility, sound governance practices are essential to organizational success.

Muskoka Community Foundation is responding to the growing demand for “Good Governance” by hosting their 3rd Annual Governance Workshop.

When:	Saturday, October 17, 2015
Where:	Nipissing University Lecture Hall, Muskoka Campus 119 Wellington Street, Bracebridge, ON P1L 1E2

Don McCreesh will facilitate the Workshop. Don is an active leader in voluntary sector governance with more than three decades experience. To read Don’s biography click here:

The day will be divided into two sessions:

Morning: Introduction to Governance	Afternoon: Governance Best Practices
Registration: 8:00 am Workshop: 8:30 am – noon Cost: $25.00 (refreshment break included)	Registration: 12:45 pm Workshop: 1:30 – 4:30 pm Cost: $35.00 (refreshment break included)
Attendees will receive an overview of good governance, accountability, transparency and fiduciary responsibility. Don will also review the role of the Board and management, outline the duties of a Director and how to fulfill the role of a Board member, as well as discuss the legal duties and liabilities of Directors and Boards. These topics will provide a background on the purpose of Boards and identify key roles for Directors	This session will review best practices, tools and tips on the roles of the Board and management; it will focus on creating a strong and more efficient organization.Attendees will have the opportunity to actively participate in the format by emailing questions ahead of time for discussion during the session.

 

Attend both sessions for $50.00. Lunch is not included.

Space is limited to 100 participants per session. You can register by contacting our office at 705-646-1220 or ,

Follow this link to the application process page.

Dara Howell, and her Dad Doug, introduced the “Dara’s Women into Sport Fund” at the Muskoka Community Foundation’s Smart & Caring Muskoka Celebration on Friday May 2nd, 2014. The Fund will support Muskoka women in sports and promote physical activity for girls. In Dara’s words: “I wanted to give back to the community that was so supportive of my dream, and create a way to support female athletes, and encourage girls to get involved in sport”. Anyone can make a gift to this fund, which is held by the Muskoka Community Foundation.