Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Kawartha Community Foundation (KCF)

Kawartha Community Foundation (KCF) is a multipurpose public foundation dedicated to improving quality of life across the City of Kawartha Lakes. It connects donors, families, businesses and community groups with local needs by creating charitable funds and turning philanthropic intent into sustained financial support for projects and organizations. As a community foundation, KCF can pursue its own charitable activities or make grants across major areas that contribute to a vibrant community, including health and mental health, community wellbeing, education, the environment, arts and culture, economic and employment development, and public amenities.

The foundation stewards a growing portfolio of funds such as community funds in Bobcaygeon, Omemee and Fenelon Falls, thematic funds like the Social Sustainability Fund and the Emergency Response & Recovery Fund, memorial and legacy funds, and education-focused funds. These vehicles pool donations and endowments, generate investment income, and provide a flexible source of grants to address emerging priorities and long-term community goals.

KCF currently operates one main granting cycle per year, in the spring. During this period, proposals are reviewed and funding decisions are made; outside the cycle, the foundation focuses on providing fundraising infrastructure rather than ad hoc grants. In all cases, funds must support the foundation’s broad charitable purposes and must be disbursed to qualified donees recognized by the Canada Revenue Agency, such as registered Canadian charities, eligible educational institutions, religious organizations for inclusive, non‑denominational purposes, and government bodies including municipalities and Indigenous governments. In some situations, non‑profit organizations or grassroots groups can also benefit, provided that projects are clearly charitable and formal agreements ensure compliance with CRA rules.

Strong proposals demonstrate a clear charitable purpose—such as poverty relief, advancing education, truth and reconciliation, reducing inequity or creating public amenities—and show broad public benefit rather than private gain. Projects located on public land or delivered in partnership with other charities are encouraged. KCF explicitly cannot fund individual expenses, private business improvements or political activities, and it screens out projects where private benefit outweighs community impact.

Through its funds, Kawartha Community Foundation supports a wide range of local organizations, from social service agencies and environmental initiatives to cultural projects, education and skills‑building efforts. Students and learners may benefit through higher‑education oriented funds, while neighbourhood-based projects can be linked to community funds in specific towns. The foundation also leads and supports research and engagement initiatives such as the Kawartha Lakes Vital Signs report, which provides data and community insights to guide collective action and helps shape future funding priorities. By combining strategic research, donor services and structured grantmaking, KCF works to build an inclusive, innovative and prosperous Kawartha Lakes for all residents.