Real people
doing real things, together
Our story began in 2007 with a simple yet powerful idea: to create a Community Foundation that would serve all of Muskoka. A small group of passionate individuals–Gord Durnan, Steve and Linda Lowden, Tom Steadman, Joan VanDuzer, and Andrew T.C. Griffith–came together to bring this vision to life. They saw the potential of a Community Foundation to connect donors, families, and corporations to the important work being done by Muskoka’s charities.
With guidance from Fran Coleman, a long-time local councillor, we sought the support of our town councils: Huntsville, Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, Lake of Bays, Muskoka Lakes, and Georgian Bay. Each council supported us, as did the District Municipality of Muskoka, giving us the momentum we needed to move forward.
As we reached out to the community, more and more people understood the value of what we were building and wanted to join us. It became clear that this wasn’t just about establishing a Foundation.It was about connecting people to people, and uniting Muskoka around a shared vision of generosity and impact.
Our Foundation’s first act of giving was a $400 donation, shared equally among Muskoka’s four Salvation Army organizations. Today, we’ve granted over $2 million to more than 32 charities and community groups across Muskoka. From addressing mental health and supporting education to improving health care and responding to our communities’ urgent needs, we are proud to be part of making Muskoka a stronger, more connected place.
