Funds we Manage

You can help make a difference in your community.

Make a gift to the Smart & Caring Muskoka Fund, our community fund. This fund is special because it allows Muskokans to have a direct impact on the issues affecting our communities. Anyone can give any amount to the Smart & Caring Muskoka Fund at any time. Gifts to the Smart & Caring Muskoka Fund are pooled and community grants are made to address issues facing Muskoka. As the fund grows the Foundation can grant more to Muskoka charities that are working to make a difference throughout Muskoka.

Helpful Links

  1. Gifts of Securities
  2. Sample Will Clauses
  3. How to make a Gift of Life Insurance
  4. Giving through a Charitable Remainder Trust
  • MEMORIAL

    THE PEGGY CLARK-GUIRY HAPPY DANCING FEET FUND

    • Inception
    • Grants to Date
    • News & Press

    The Peggy Clark-Guiry Happy Dancing Feet Fund was established to keep the memory of Peggy Clark-Guiry alive in Muskoka. This donor-advised fund is dedicated to supporting young dancers to further their training and develop their artistic skills through grants, bursaries or scholarships. Peggy was an avid dancer from a young age until her early 60’s. The Clark and Guiry families are pleased to provide other young dancers with the opportunity to experience the love of dance.

  • FAMILY

    COWAN FAMILY FUND

    • Inception
    • Grants to Date
    • News & Press

    The Cowan Family Fund is a Donor-Advised Endowment Fund, created by John and Maggie Cowan to support registered charities primarily in Muskoka. The Cowans, who have cottaged in Muskoka for five generations, wanted to create a legacy to preserve the Muskoka they love and cherish.

    LOWDEN FAMILY FUND

    • Inception
    • Grants to Date
    • News & Press

    The Lowden Family Fund is a Donor-Advised Endowment Fund, created by Honourary Directors Steve and Linda Lowden to support Muskoka’s registered charities. Steve Lowden is a 3rd generation Muskokan and a founding member of the Toronto Foundation; Linda was a founding director of the Muskoka Community Foundation. The Lowdens wanted to create a Fund to build a legacy in Muskoka and so that their children and grandchildren would be an active part of Muskoka for generations to come.

    GOODWIN FAMILY FUND

    • Inception
    • Grants to Date
    • News & Press

    The Goodwin Family Fund is a Donor-Advised Endowment Fund, created by Jim and Marlyn Goodwin to support registered charities in Muskoka. The Goodwins are long-time residents in Gravenhurst who wanted to create a legacy to preserve the Muskoka they love and cherish.

  • EDUCATION

    STAN DARLING ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FUND

    • Inception
    • Grants to Date
    • News & Press

    This field of interest fund was established in memory of Stan Darling, MP for Parry-Sound Muskoka. Stan was an active environmentalist, and was instrumental in establishing the Acid Rain Treaty with the USA in 1991. Grants are awarded each June to a student from each of the area’s six high schools who is pursuing a post-secondary education with a focus on environmental studies at a Canadian College or University. Recipients are selected based on their demonstrated commitment and service to community environmental issues, academic achievement and record of participation in volunteer and extracurricular activities.

    SOUTH AND CENTRAL ALMAGUIN EDUCATION FUND

    • Inception
    • Grants to Date
    • News & Press

    The South and Central Almaguin Fund is a flow-through fund created by Angela Benoliel. The fund is intended to support high school students, residing in South and Central Almaguin, who otherwise may not have the opportunity to attend a post-secondary education institution. Successful applicants will receive up to $5,000 in funding.

    YOUTH CITIZENSHIP AND SERVICE FUND

    • Inception
    • Grants to Date
    • News & Press

    This Fund was created to help young people whose financial situation prevents their participation in optional experiences organized by their school or other approved organizations. These funds are directed to enhancing citizenship or enable young people to join in service to others in their community, elsewhere in Canada or abroad. Examples include student exchanges, school trips to Ottawa, Quebec or other significant destinations, or church or school organized trips to perform service projects in Canada and other countries. This fund may only be accessed when all other funding has been exhausted. For more information, or to inquire about eligibility to receive a grant from this fund, please contact us at 705-646-1220

  • SPORTS

    DARA’S FUND

    • Inception
    • Grants to Date
    • News & Press

    Olympic Gold Medalist Dara Howell created this Donor-Advised Endowment Fund to build a legacy. This fund is intended to provide resources and opportunities for Muskoka’s female athletes who excel in any sport to pursue their dreams of competing at the next level. This unique fund provides additional resources for girls and women who are residents of the District Municipality of Muskoka and competing in any type of individual or team sport above the local club or rep level regionally, provincially, nationally or internationally. Grants are make to those who demonstrate a commitment to the True Sport values and principles to “Go For It, Play Fair, Respect Others, Stay Healthy, Have Fun, Include Others, Give Back”. Funding can be used for coaching fees, team fees, travel expenses and/or equipment. Click here to check for funding opportunities from Dara’s Fund.

  • MUSKOKA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

    MUSKOKA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ADMINISTRATION FUND

    • Inception
    • Grants to Date
    • News & Press

    This Endowment Fund was created to ensure the long tern sustainability of Muskoka Community Foundation as an organization. Anyone can invest any amount to this Fund at any time to build capacity and share in the vision of building a smart & caring Muskoka.

    SMART & CARING MUSKOKA FUND

    • Inception
    • Grants to Date
    • News & Press

    In November 2012, we joined community foundations coast to coast in responding to Governor General David Johnston’s challenge to come together and build a smarter, more caring nation that holds promise for all by creating the Smart & Caring Muskoka Fund. This community fund ensures that there are dedicated resources to us respond to local priorities. Any Muskoka resident, cottager or business can donate any amount to the Smart & Caring Muskoka Fund at any time. Every August our Board sets the Fund’s granting priority. Grants are awarded each November to celebrate National Philanthropy Week. Click here to check for funding opportunities from the Smart & Caring Muskoka Fund.

    Muskoka Youth Mental Health & Wellness Fund

    • Inception
    • Grants to Date
    • News & Press

    The Muskoka Youth Mental Health and Wellness Fund is a flow-through fund created by the Muskoka Community Foundation. This fund provides financial support to mental health and wellness programs and services to young people in Muskoka. This fund pools the contributions of any amount by individual donors and has a direct impact on the issues and challenges affecting Muskoka’s youth.