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July 15, 2024 (Muskoka, ON) – The District of Muskoka launched the 2024 Muskoka Community Grant Program in March of this year which offered grant opportunities through the Pay it Forward Grant Program and Community Enhancement Fund.
Pay It Forward (PIF) Grants offer up to $2500 to projects that fulfill one or more of PIF’s strategic goals including:
Community Enhancement (CE) Grants offer up to $10,000 to non-profit organizations. Grants are awarded for projects that address one or more of the CE grants’ strategic needs such as:
Staff were pleased to see a similar number of applications as last year, confirming that the numbers have bounced back after lower numbers during the pandemic. Community Grants received 48 applications in 2024. Of the 2024 applications, 71% were for the Community Enhancement Grant, and 29% were for the Pay It Forward Grant.
The key themes that emerged this year were food security, basic needs, community support, well-being, and transportation. Staff noted that the needs in the community have continued to increase, which is why they brought two options to the Community and Planning Services Committee. Option 1, proceed with awarding the funds in the approved budget, or Option 2 seek more funds which would allow an increase in the number of organizations receiving funds and increase partial funding amounts for many of the successful applicants. Council approved Option 2.
Grant Recipients Announced
A total of 25 applications were awarded funding this year, amounting to grants of $97,525 being distributed to successful applicants.
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Pay It Forward (PIF) Grant
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Building 2SLGBTQ+ Community in Muskoka |
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Monthly meetings for young adults aged 18-29 who are connected to the 2SLGBTQ+ community hosted by a therapist/community facilitator. |
Family Council, Muskoka Landing |
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An indoor 1-day celebration of cultural diversity and inclusion including a festival of music, dance and food to showcase cultural diversity. |
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A humanitarian aid service providing ordinary household items to individuals and families in need. |
Friends of the Mactier Library |
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Graphic Novel and Writing Boot Camp aimed at children and teens. |
Mamas on Missions (M.O.M) |
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Monthly or weekly supportive community for mothers to come together, connect, and recharge with activities, networking and guest speakers. Child care is provided to lessen the barriers. |
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Purses are filled with essential items and toiletries and distributed to those in the community. |
MYVoice: Muskoka Youth Voice |
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MyVoice is a youth-led committee under the guidance of MiND AID. Striving to give youth within Muskoka a voice that will be heard, generating real change in the mental wellness systems that serve them. |
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Sewing programs offered free of charge to children and adults in Muskoka. |
Community Enhancement (CE) Grant
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Alzheimer Society of Muskoka |
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Volunteer Recruitment and Retention Initiative is an effort to increase and retain much needed volunteers for the increased programs offered throughout Muskoka. |
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Kits for Tents supports displaced individuals in Muskoka by providing them with essential hygiene kits, care packages to improve situation while residing in tents over summer months. |
Community YWCA of Muskoka |
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Girlz Unplugged is a 12 week school based program for girls and those identifying as female in grades 5 to 8 at participating Muskoka schools. |
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Allowing Nia program to expand service area. Nia is a form of movement that those with cancer find truly healing. |
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Addressing chronic loneliness amongst older senior population by providing routine visits of 20-30 minutes. Volunteers will bring prearranged beverages etc. |
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Expanding distribution sites, from our current site in Huntsville to a sites in Bracebridge and Gravenhurst. $60/mth - 20 kids. |
Gravenhurst Against Poverty (G.A.P.) |
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Funds toward 100+ families registered in transportation program. Household can receive up to $100/mth taxi cards. |
Knox Presbyterian Church, Bracebridge |
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Emergency Food Box Program continues as food insecurity has remained heightened by increased costs of food, housing, utilities, mental health issues. |
Manna Food Bank of Bracebridge Inc. |
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Providing personal care products and supporting the purchase of personal care products. |
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Deliver Hospital Peer Connections Program to new stroke survivors in hospital, providing support, hope, education, and connection to real experiences as early as possible in patients’ recovery after stroke. |
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Assessing clients who need therapeutic support, determine needs, professional recommendations of psychological or psychiatric assessments, suitability for publicly funded options, access to benefits or funding programs they may qualify for. |
Muskoka Indigenous Friendship Centre |
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Improving the quality of life for urban Indigenous living in Muskoka through community directed programming and services in 5 locations. |
Ontario SPCA and Humane Society – Muskoka Region |
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Mobile Animal Sterilization Hospital (MASH) clinics. Pet owners who would not be able to afford spay/neuter services will be the focus of these services. |
Rotary Club of Bracebridge |
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Providing good, home cooked meals to the Manna Food Bank. |
Simcoe/Muskoka Family Connexions |
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Beds for Muskoka Kids program will provide beds, mattresses, and bedding ensuring they have a comfortable and dignified environment to sleep in. |
The Meeting Place, Centre for Growth and Healing |
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12-weeks of programing facilitated by professional therapists and volunteers; including psychoeducational, art-led and therapeutic engagement. Nutritious meal offered. Geared towards women and trauma and starts with a nutritious meal |
The Salvation Army Huntsville Food Bank & Family Services |
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Grant will be used to purchase non-perishables, fresh vegetables, and healthy proteins to be distributed through food bank to those less fortunate in the community. |
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We are excited to launch the 2024 Muskoka Community Grant Program!
Information about the Pay it Forward and Community Enhancement Grants are available in the Grant Guideline document.
How to Apply:
One application form has been created for both grant opportunities. You will be guided through the appropriate grant stream as you complete the application.
You can complete an application at the following link: 2024 Muskoka Community Grant Application or access the application through the Applications and Reporting tab.
The grant application guide and budget worksheet can be found in the document section on the right hand side of your computer monitor or scroll down on a mobile device.
Applications close Friday, March 22, 2024.
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We are excited to announce the recipients of this year's Pay It Forward and Community Enhancement Grants!
A total of 47 applications were received – a 59% increase since 2022!
“We were so pleased to see the resurgence in the number of applications received for this year’s grant program,” said Arfona Zwiers, Commissioner of Community and Planning Services. “In recent years, we had observed a decline in the volume of applications, which we have attributed to the COVID-19 Pandemic. This notion was further reinforced by a key theme that emerged in this year's applications - the rebuilding of community supports and programs which had been disrupted by COVID restrictions. These applications show us that our community has a renewed sense of hope and the resiliency to overcome adversity. Muskoka is bouncing back.”
Read the full news release here: https://www.muskoka.on.ca/en/news/a-renewed-sense-of-hope-for-muskoka-2023-muskoka-community-grant-recipients-announced.aspx
A list of successful grant recipients and projects can be viewed below:
Organization |
Area |
Funding Received |
Project Description |
Pay It Forward |
Planting Community Seeds |
Lake of Bays, Huntsville |
$2,500 |
Providing starter gardening kits, gardening workshops and ongoing support to new gardeners to support food security. |
Cameron of Lochiel Pipes and Drums |
Huntsville |
$2,500 |
Purchasing new band equipment so that band can continue free performances at legions, seniors homes and schools; and offer free music lessons. |
Sewing Camp |
Across Muskoka |
$2,500 |
Providing free sewing education and workshops. |
Free Stuff for Daily Needs |
Across Muskoka (Gravenhurst focus) |
$2,500 |
Providing urgent support to community members with practical needs. |
Labyrinths in Libraries |
Across Muskoka |
$1,250 |
Partnering with local libraries to make handheld labyrinths, which support mental wellness, available for borrowing and providing labyrinth education. |
Community Enhancement |
Bracebridge Out of the Cold |
Bracebridge |
$4,000 |
Expanding the Out of the Cold Community Dinner to a Hybrid approach to reach isolated residents. |
Muskoka Indigenous Friendship Centre |
All of Muskoka |
$6,163 |
Expanding Indigenous cultural programming across Muskoka. |
Muskoka Shoebox Project |
All of Muskoka |
$1,250 |
Providing essential and gift filled shoeboxes to women in the
community who are experiencing housing insecurity.
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Dorset Community Partnership Fund |
Lake of Bays |
$2,500 |
Funding to support the pharmacy and emergency food assistance program. |
Ryde Community Co- operative Inc. |
Gravenhurst |
$2,000 |
Funding to support social and wellness programming for all ages. |
Georgian Bay Mnidoo Gamii Biosphere |
Georgian Bay |
$4,725 |
Revitalizing the community gardens in Port Severn and Mactier and providing educational workshops. |
West Muskoka Food Bank |
Muskoka Lakes |
$8,000 |
Purchasing food and other essentials for foodbank distribution. |
Elder Abuse Prevention Muskoka |
Across Muskoka |
$5,000 |
Providing cell phones, tablets and subsides to isolated seniors and offering technology literacy training. |
Mind-Aid Muskoka |
Huntsville, Lake of Bays |
$8,000 |
Offering access to specialized mental health services to at risk youth. |
Big Brothers Big Sisters Muskoka |
Across Muskoka |
$2,500 |
Developing a “Money Smart Kids” program for children to learn basic skills for financial literacy. |
Knox Presbyterian Church Bracebridge Mission Committee |
Bracebridge |
$2,500 |
Continuing their emergency food box and community garden program to support food security. |
Muskoka Seniors |
Huntsville, Lake of Bays |
$2,000 |
Hosting the first annual “Muskoka Healthy Living Expo” to build awareness and accessibility around senior supportive services. |
Hospice Muskoka |
Gravenhurst, Bracebridge |
$3,000 |
Offering the “Healing Hearts” program to provide grief support to children who are experiencing the loss of a loved-one. |
Gravenhurst Against Poverty |
Gravenhurst |
$8,000 |
Providing grocery gift cards to neighbours to support food security. |
Muskoka Family Focus and Children's Place |
Across Muskoka |
$6,000 |
Bringing “Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library” to Muskoka – a book gifting program to support literacy in children under 5 years old. |
St. Vincent de Paul Society. St. Mary's Conference |
Huntsville |
$8,000 |
Collaborating with the Muskoka Good Food Co-op to provide fresh produce to residents who access their foodbank. |
Rotary Club of Bracebridge |
Bracebridge |
$5,000 |
Supplying health pre-cooked meals monthly to the Manna Foodbank for distribution. |
The Table Soup Kitchen Foundation |
Huntsville |
$4,000 |
Supporting a community garden project and fresh food seminars to address food insecurity. |
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Thank you to everyone who submitted an application to the Muskoka Community Grant Program - we received 48 applications!
Applications are now under review and applicants will be notified via email of the results in mid-May. A recipient list will be posted to this page once all applicants have been contacted.
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We are excited to launch the 2023 Muskoka Community Grant Program!
Information about the Pay it Forward and Community Enhancement Grants are available in the Grant Guideline document.
How to Apply:
One application form has been created for both grant opportunities. You will be guided through the appropriate grant stream as you complete the application.
You can complete an application at the following link: 2023 Muskoka Community Grant Application or access the application through the Applications and Reporting tab.
The grant application guide and budget worksheet can be found in the document section on the right hand side of your computer monitor or scroll down on a mobile device.
Applications close Wednesday, April 5th 2023.
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Community Enhancement Fund and Pay it Forward Grant Recipients Announced!
We are excited to share the list of successful grant applicants and projects through the Pay it Forward extension period and the Community Enhancement Fund! Successful applicants and projects can be viewed in the table below.
Another big shout-out to all the 2022 community grant applicants! Thank you for all that you do!
Organization
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Area
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Funding Received
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Project Description
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Pay It Forward |
Muskoka Indigenous Friendship Centre |
Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, & Huntsville |
$2,500 |
Expanding culturally significant programming and supports into Huntsville and continuing programming in Bracebridge and Gravenhurst. |
Sewing Group |
All of Muskoka |
$2,500 |
Providing sewing programming to children across Muskoka. |
Free Stuff for Daily Needs |
All of Muskoka (Gravenhurst focus) |
$2,500 |
Providing urgent support to community members with practical needs. |
Community Enhancement |
Georgian Bay Mnidoo Gamii Biosphere |
Township of Georgian Bay |
$4,680 |
Partnering with Moose Deer Point First Nation and community elders to develop a medicine garden with accompanying programming. |
Riverside Public School |
Huntsville, Lake of Bays |
$10,000 |
Forming a “Good Food Crew” club which will provide weekly fresh & local lunches to students and a community meal in December. |
Huntsville Mountain Bike Association |
Huntsville |
$2,500 |
Building new, public access, hiking and biking trails with a focus on volunteerism and skill building. |
Georgian Bay Mnidoo Gamii Biosphere (Honey Bee Festival) |
Township of Georgian Bay (Honey Harbour) |
$1,800 |
Supporting the volunteer run Honey Bee Festival. |
Knox Presbyterian Church |
Bracebridge |
$2,500 |
Supporting the Community Garden and Food box program. |
Ryde Community Coop |
Gravenhurst |
$3,950 |
Various free seniors programing including seniors workouts, social activities, speakers, food, music. |
Muskoka Seniors |
Huntsville |
$9,100 |
Supporting the seniors transportation program. |
Rotary Club Bracebridge |
Bracebridge |
$6,010 |
To provide monthly, hot meals for the Manna Food Bank. |
Gravenhurst Against Poverty - Transportation |
Gravenhurst |
$5,000 |
To provide gas cards through the neighbours in need program. |
Gravenhurst Against Poverty – Volunteer Retention |
Gravenhurst |
$2,500 |
To support volunteer recruitment and retention. |
Enliven Muskoka |
Bracebridge and Huntsville |
$7,113 |
Arts programming for people living with cancer. |
YMCA Simcoe Muskoka |
Gravenhurst |
$6,600 |
Providing free lifeguard training to community members in financial need. |
Muskoka North Good Food Coop |
Huntsville |
$10,000 |
To provide seniors with free healthy food boxes. |
Muskoka Shoebox Project |
All of Muskoka |
$2,500 |
To provide shoeboxes of essential goods to women in need. |
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The District of Muskoka (District) is pleased to announce the launch of the 2022 Muskoka Community Grant program on the Engage Muskoka Platform.
The District supports the enhancement of community well-being with a focus on improving a positive quality of life for our most vulnerable population. One way of helping to achieve this goal is through a few different community-funded programs.
Earlier this year, the Muskoka Community Grant Program kicked off with Social Services Relief Fund grant opportunities, this current round of grant funding opportunities is focused on the Pay it Forward (PIF) and Community Enhancement (CE) Fund programs.
The PIF Community Investment Grant Program has been available to Grassroots Muskoka Community Groups since 2012 and offers grants of up to $2,500. Grants are awarded to projects that fill a strategic need in the community, enhance community support and leadership, and create positive change.
The CE Fund is available to Non-Profit Community Organizations. The program will offer grants up to $10,000. Grants will be awarded to groups that address poverty reduction; food security; housing and living conditions; education and training opportunities; volunteer and job development; and citizen engagement.
Submit an Application for Funding
The Pay It Forward and Community Enhancement Fund application is now available at the following link: 2022 Muskoka Community Grant Application
The application will remain open until June 30th and remain open until 4:00pm.
Learn More and Stay Informed!
For updates regarding the program and available grant opportunities, please subscribe to the 2021 Community Grant Program Project Page made available on the Engage Muskoka platform at the following link: 2022 Muskoka Community Grants
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The 2021 Community Grant Program is kicking off with the release of fourth-wave funding made available through the Social Services Relief Fund (SSRF). The SSRF is a direct result of COVID-19 and is supported by the Province of Ontario through the District’s Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative (CHPI). Through grants of up to $10,000, this fund intends to provide financial assistance to community groups that offer essential services such as food and shelter programs or other necessary programs to help vulnerable populations during COVID-19.
Submit an Application for Funding
The SSRF application is now available at the following link: https://www.engagemuskoka.ca/embeds/projects/14872/survey-tools/26277
The application will remain open until January 31, 2022, and will close at 4:00 p.m.
Eligibility requirements are provided at the top of this page and directly within the application.
For questions regarding this application, please contact Sandra Daleman, Manager of Homelessness Programs and Services via email at Sandra.Daleman@muskoka.on.ca.
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We are excited to share the list of successful grant applicants and projects through the Community Enhancement Fund and Pay It Forward!
Successful applicants and projects can be viewed in the table below.
Another big shout out to all of the 2021 community grant applicants! Our grant review committee was thrilled to see the resiliency of individuals and groups such as yourself, who, despite current challenges related to COVID-19, can pull together to innovate and support our most vulnerable populations during this time.
Thank you for all that you do!
Recipients through the Pay It Forward Grant Program:
| Recipient |
Project Description |
Grant Funding |
| Muskoka Indigenous Friendship Community |
Providing program supplies to support the local Indigenous groups in culture and community building activities. |
$2,500 |
| Cameron of Lochiel Pipes and Drums |
Providing instruments for the band, which provides free music lessons, supports the local long-term care homes, as well as the Legion. |
$2,500 |
| Klahanie Community Gardens |
Providing new tools the Community Garden, which is a community building and food security effort. |
$1,115 |
| Free Stuff for Daily Needs |
Providing essential items to people in need throughout Muskoka. |
$2,500 |
Recipients through the Community Enhancement Grant Program:
Recipient
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Project Description
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Grant Funding |
| Muskoka Shoebox Project |
Providing essential items for women and non-binary people in need during the holiday season. |
$2,500 |
Ryde Community
Co-operative |
A community lunch project will involve preparing and sharing a healthy community meal for people facing food insecurity. |
$1,600 |
| Muskoka North Good Food Co-operative |
Providing food literacy workshops including topics such as food rescue, kitchen skills, gardening, and sustenance. |
$9,000 |
| Muskoka Pride Community |
For the purchase of six rainbow pride benches to be placed in each Town and Township within the District. |
$10,000 |
| Knox Presbyterian Church Bracebridge |
A community garden project to provide food and community building in the neighbourhood. Funding will also support the ongoing food box program that provides food to people facing food insecurity. |
$10,000 |
| Ryde Community Co-operative |
Free drive-by family events for neighbours. Families pick up an "event goody bag" monthly. Provides entertainment and community building in an area with few options for families. |
$2,500 |
| Alzheimer's Society of Muskoka |
Providing a "Dementia Friendly Community Education Training" program to organizations and businesses across the District of Muskoka to enhance inclusion and support of people living with dementia across the District. |
$6,200 |
| Community YWCA of Muskoka |
Providing support for the "Circles" program in the Town of Gravenhurst, which is a follow-up to the "Getting Ahead" program. This program provides wrap-around support with the goal of moving individuals out of poverty. |
$5,550 |
| Georgian Bay Mnidoo Gamii Biosphere |
The "Growing Together" program engages individuals in preparing vegetable planters through a series of workshops. Growing together will continue to encourage the community to think about growing more of its own food and support people who want to start gardening. |
$4,120 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters Muskoka |
Providing a "Matches out in Muskoka" program that will allow Big Brothers/Sisters to take their mentees out to explore our local attractions and businesses. |
$3,800 |
| Enliven Cancer Care, Muskoka |
Providing a mindfulness based stress-reduction program, as well as yoga classes to people impacted by cancer. |
$10,000 |
| Gravenhurst Against Poverty |
Providing slow-cookers to people living with poverty and cooking classes with a trained chef about how to use them to increase food security. |
$2,030 |
Hospice Muskoka
(Andy's House) |
Supporting Hospice Muskoka to provide a complex grief counselling program. |
$5,000 |
| Lake Country Legal Clinic |
Creating a renters support and advocacy resource for people experiencing eviction or housing insecurity. |
$5,000 |
| Gravenhurst Against Poverty |
To support with volunteer training and tracking for Gravenhurst Against Poverty's expanding organization. |
$7,000 |
| Community Living Huntsville |
Providing support for the "Pathways" program, which helps young adults and youth with developmental support needs develop skills and build connections in the community. |
$2,000 |
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The PIF Community Investment Grant Program has been available to Grassroots Muskoka Community Groups since 2012 and offers grants of up to $2,500. Grants are awarded to projects that fill a strategic need in the community, enhance community support and leadership, and create positive change.
The CE Fund is available to Non-Profit Community Organizations. The program will offer grants up to $10,000. Grants will be awarded to groups that address poverty reduction; food security; housing and living conditions; education and training opportunities; volunteer and job development; and citizen engagement.
Submit an Application for Funding
The Pay It Forward and Community Enhancement Fund application is now available at the following link: 2021 Muskoka Community Grant Application
The application will remain open until October 27, 2021, and will close at 4:00 p.m.
