The Muskoka Community Foundation is pleased to work with a number of donors who support a variety of local charities and programs through the following funds. If you are interested in supporting one of these funds or creating your own fund please contact the Muskoka Community Foundation at 705-646-1220 or info@muskokacommunityfoundation.ca
Community Fund
Lake of Bays Community Fund
Inception2024
The Lake of Bays Community Fund was created to support charitable organizations and programs that are impacting the communities within the Township of Lake of Bays. Grants from the Lake of Bays Community Fund are disbursed only to projects within the Township that are delivered by charitable organizations working in the areas of food insecurity, education, recreation, health and wellness, seniors, children and youth. Granting decisions are overseen by the Community Fund Grant Review Committee.
Anyone can contribute to the Lake of Bays Community Fund knowing that a charitable gift is working in your community to create a lasting impact by supporting organizations that provide vital services and programs.
Agency Funds
YWCA Muskoka Legacy Fund
Inception2023
YWCA Muskoka Legacy Fund
For those who share YWCA Muskoka’s vision to build a world in which girls, women and gender-diverse people thrive in a safe and equitable society, this fund was established as a long-term solution to ensure YWCA Muskoka can deliver community-based services throughout the coming decades and beyond. YW programs serve youth, adults and seniors and centre around four robust pillars to convey a message of hope, security and dignity for all:
1.Preventing Gender-Based Violence
2.Promoting Mental Health & Wellbeing
3.Cultivating Economic Resilience
4.Building Relationships
To learn more about the YWCA Muskoka visit www.ywcamuskoka.com and to learn more about the YWCA Muskoka’s legacy building goals we invite you to watch the video below:
Community Building
Building Bridges to Reconciliation
Inception2024
As part of the Muskoka Community Foundation’s ongoing commitment to reconciliation, a new fund has been created to help local charities implement the 94 Calls to Action throughout their programs and services. Our hope is for the Building Bridges to Reconciliation Fund to be a step forward in building respectful relationships with Indigenous Peoples while actively accounting for and repairing the harm they have experienced for generations.
DOC ROB Fund
Inception2023
The DOC ROB Fund was created in memory of Dr. Rob Stevens. This Fund will provide grants to organizations and programs in the District of Parry Sound that address mental health and wellness, suicide awareness and prevention, youth mental health, and mental health and wellness education.
The William S. Monk Community Health Care Development Fund
Inception2023
This fund will work with local community partners to support initiatives to attract, develop, and retain primary health care workers in Muskoka.
Sam’s Fund
Inception2023
RAMP Flow – Through Fund
Inception2023
“This fund was established to provide support for initiatives that build self-sufficiency in the Muskoka community. RAMP supports programs that help people overcome the obstacles they encounter while lifting themselves out of poverty. These programs directly address systemic barriers that keep people in poverty and also provide some combination of the training, knowledge, connections, skills, services, attitudes and tools required to liberate people from cycles of poverty. Financial support for initiatives and programs is awarded to programs identified by RAMP. To learn more about the organizations supported by RAMP please visit Ramp Up Muskoka – Residents Against Muskoka Poverty” You can also watch this short video clip Powtoon – Gord Durnan
Education
Muskoka – Parry Sound Indigenous Bursary Fund
Inception2023
The Muskoka – Parry Sound Indigenous Bursary Fund will provide an annual bursary of $2,200 and will be awarded to a graduating Indigenous student residing in the Districts of Muskoka or Parry Sound and who is pursuing post-secondary studies at a Canadian institution. The Muskoka Community Foundation has partnered with Indspire’s Building Brighter Futures bursary program. Indspire is a national Indigenous charity that invests in the education of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people and has been in operation since 1985.
Stan Darling Environmental Education Fund
Inception2008
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
Inception2017
The South and Central Almaguin Education Fund was created in 2017 to support high school students, residing in South and Central Almaguin region, who otherwise may not have the opportunity to attend a post-secondary education institution. This donor advised fund provides successful applicants with grants up to $5000.00 to assist with school related expenses in their first year of post-secondary education. Click here to access the application.
Peter and Eve Willis Bursary Fund
Inception2021
This fund will support students, who might not otherwise afford it, to enter vocational educational programs that equip them to prosper in the Muskoka economy. To learn more about the impact of the Petere and Eve Willis Bursary Fund watch this short video clip Powtoon – Willis Video
Environment
Muskoka Environment Fund
Inception2023
The Muskoka Environment Fund, held and administered by the Muskoka Community Foundation is a flow through fund that provides financial support to qualified donees who are working to conserve and protect Muskoka’s natural environment. The Fund will also provide support to organizations that raise awareness and provide educational programming about the importance of protecting and creating a healthy Muskoka’s environment.
Fields of Interest
Coco Bear Fund
Inception2021
The Coco Bear Fund was started by Shari and Jean-Marc Dubois as a way to honour their son Conrad who died after a lengthy struggle with addiction. In an effort to support other young people in Muskoka who are struggling with addiction and their mental health and wellness, the Coco Bear Fund will provide financial support to mental health and addiction programs in Muskoka.
Sports
Dara’s Fund
Inception2014
Olympic Gold Medalist Dara Howell created Dara’s Fund to provide resources and opportunities for Muskoka’s female athletes. This unique fund can, from time to time, provide additional resources for girls and women who are competing in any type of individual or team sport above the local club or rep level regionally, provincially, nationally or internationally. Dara’s Fund also looks for opportunities to provide funding to local sporting organizations that promote good mental health and wellness for their membership.
Family
Paul and Ruby Erb Fund
Inception2020
The Paul and Ruby Erb Fund is a Donor-Advised Endowment Fund created by the late Paul Erb. Paul and Ruby were long time residents of Bracebridge who were actively involved with many charitable organizations and service clubs.
Lowden Family Fund
Inception2010
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.
Cowan Family Fund
Inception2014
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.
Goodwin Family Fund
Inception2017
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.
Uffelmann Family Fund
Inception2019
The Uffelmann Family Fund is a donor-advised fund established to assist in improving the quality of life in the Muskoka region through donations to registered charities.
Muskoka Community Foundation Funds
Muskoka Strong Fund
Inception2020
In an effort to help local municipalities and first responders during future emergencies the Muskoka Strong Fund was created. If a man-made or natural disaster should occur the Muskoka Community Foundation will work closely with the District of Muskoka to assess the needs of those impacted during times of crisis and act as a central location for individuals to direct their donations allowing local officials to focus on addressing the urgent needs of their community.
Youth Citizenship and Service Fund
Inception2009
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
Muskoka Community Foundation Administration Fund
Inception2010
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.
Muskoka Youth Mental Health and Wellness Fund
Inception2019
The Muskoka Youth Mental Health and Wellness Fund was created in 2019 to assist organizations and programs that support youth mental health and wellness in Muskoka.