News & Press Archives - Page 2 of 4 - Muskoka Community Foundation

Cowan Family Fund Grants $8000 to Local and Regional Health Care

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.

Summary Report for the 2016 Wasan Island Symposium: Building a Smart and Caring Muskoka for Children and Youth

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

Wasan 2 Report V.7

Wasan Island 2016 Symposium: A Smart & Caring Muskoka for Children and Youth

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/

3rd Annual Smart & Caring Muskoka Celebration

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.

Leaders of Tomorrow Noah Lowe, Samuel Gordon, Jacob Hills, Hailey Scott and Blaze Sahanatien. Young people who make a difference to Muskoka.

Keynote Speaker, Marnie Spears, President and CEO of KCI.

From Left to Right: Harry Oswin (MCF Board Member), Marg French (Chair of MCF), Gord Durnan (Vice-Chair MCF), John Klinck (District Chair of the District of Muskoka) and Daniel Bradbury (MCF Board member).

Muskoka Community Foundation supports Muskoka Watershed Council

The Muskoka Watershed Council launched its Phragmites Identification Card with the support of Muskoka Community Foundation. The Muskoka Watershed Council used a 2015 Smart and Caring Grant from the Muskoka Community Foundation to create public awareness about the invasive Phragmites australis. To learn more about how to identify Pragmites australis and the Muskoka Watershed Council visit https://www.muskokawatershed.org/

Pictured below from left to right: Lou Guerriero (Muskoka Watershed Council Chair), Marg French (Muskoka Community Foundation Chair) and Muskoka Community Foundation Board Members Jane Hunt and Harry Oswin.

Total Funds Granted in 2015

Muskoka Community Foundation (MCF) has had an exciting year! MCF is one of 191 Community Foundations in Canada that provide families, individuals, and businesses with a simple alternative to setting up their own charitable foundation. MCF administers over $730,000 in endowed and other assets.

In 2015, MCF distributed over $60,000 in grants to Muskoka charitable organizations.

Since 2007, with the help of our caring donors we have gifted almost $235,000 directly to registered charities in Muskoka so they can implement significant programs that build community vitality.

Thank you to everyone that helps us build a smart and caring Muskoka!

Muskoka Community Foundation Special Fund for Citizenship, Culture and Service

Muskoka Community Foundation’s (MCF) Special Fund for Citizenship, Culture and Service was created in December 2007 to assist young people whose financial situation prevents their participation in optional experiences organized by their school or other approved organizations that enhance their citizenship or culture or enable them 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.

In 2015 MCF awarded 9 grants totaling over $9000.00 allowing students to take part in year-end trips to Ottawa and Quebec, cultural experiences at the Orillia Opera House and Ste. Marie Among The Hurons and service trips to Kenya through Me to We.

Since 2007 the MCF Special Fund for Citizenship, Culture and Service has provided over $65,000.00 in funding to young people throughout the Muskoka Region.

Smart and Caring Grants

Muskoka’s Natural Environment and Built Heritage Charities benefit from Muskoka Community Foundation’s Smart & Caring Muskoka Grants

Muskoka (Immediate Release) – The Muskoka Community Foundation (MCF) celebrated National Philanthropy Day by granting $6,000 from the Smart & Caring Muskoka Fund to four Muskoka charities. The recipients of the grants include Muskoka Conservancy, Newholm Community Heritage Centre & Friends of Holy Trinity Newholm, Huntsville Train Station Society and Muskoka Watershed Council together with the District Municipality of Muskoka and the Friends of the Muskoka Watershed.

Since it was founded in 2007 the Muskoka Community Foundation has granted over $213,900 directly to a variety of registered charities throughout Muskoka. You can learn more about the Foundation on their website: www.muskokacommunityfoundation.ca/dev.

For more information contact:

Lynn DeCaro, Program Director
Muskoka Community Foundation
705-646-1220

Stan Darling Environmental Education Fund

The Stan Darling Environmental Education Fund was established at MCF in April 2010 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 by their teachers based on their demonstrated commitment and service to community environmental issues, academic achievement and record of participation in volunteer and extracurricular activities.

This year six students were awarded $2200.00 grants totaling $13,200.00.

Since 2010 over $50,000.00 has been awarded to help students pursue their post-secondary education.

Governance Workshop – Registration now open

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 ,

Category: News & Press