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:

“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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

In November 2012, The Muskoka Community Foundation joined community foundations coast to coast to coast in responding to Canada’s 28th Governor General, the Right Honourable David Johnston’s challenge to come together and build a smarter and more caring nation of communities. As a result of that challenge the Smart and Caring Muskoka Fund was created in 2013. Over the last 10 years the Smart and Caring Muskoka Fund has disbursed 77 grants totaling $112,000.00 to support the work of organizations across Muskoka. Grants from the Smart and Caring Muskoka Fund supported organizations as they addressed issues such as seniors living in poverty, mental health and wellness, community building, culture, the environment and reconciliation.

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.