Charitable Endowment Funds

The Community Foundation of Orillia and Area currently manages over $3.0 million of Endowment Funds contributed by local donors to 22 different Funds. Our investment management fees are low and our rate of return has been consistently above market averages.

The Community Foundation of Orillia & Area seeks to facilitate charitable giving in accordance with a donor’s personal, financial, and philanthropic objectives.

We work with donors and their advisors to develop gifting strategies and to offer a variety of Fund options to suit different personal and philanthropic objectives.

While new funds can be set up, the following is a summary of the existing funds to which donors may direct their contributions:

The Smart and Caring Communities Fund

Consistent with Governor General David Johnston’s goal for a smart and caring nation, our Smart & Caring Community Fund enables the Foundation to respond to the greatest needs of our community. Any local charity can apply and our grants committee makes decisions on how to achieve the greatest impact on the community.

Apprenticeship Bursary Fund

The Apprenticeship Bursary Fund was established to assist apprenticing students with their day-to-day costs so that they can focus on learning. The fund was set up by family and friends in memory of the late Robert Fletcher. The award will be provided to an apprentice who has completed his/her first year of HVAC or electrical apprenticeship training and who is completing this training in either the geographical boundary served by the Community Foundation of Orillia and Area or in Muskoka, Ontario.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Fund

This designated  endowment fund was established to support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orillia and District as they provide child and youth mentoring programs which facilitate life-changing relationships that inspire and empower children and youth to reach their potential, both as individuals and citizens.

Carol Ivey Victim Crisis Service Fund

This fund, established by Carol Ivey, will provide for an annual gift disbursed from its investment proceeds to support the ongoing administration and operating costs for North Simcoe Victim Crisis Services, in perpetuity.

Casino Rama CREW Festive Fund 

This fund was established by the CREW at Casino Rama to help local non-profit groups during the winter festive season to supply the less fortunate with necessary items.

Couchiching Conservancy Land Stewardship Fund

This Stewardship Fund is an innovative province-wide partnership created to help our community care for the land we love, forever. The Couchiching Conservancy protects lands that are important to our community. The Stewardship Fund recognizes these lands need financial support to protect and preserve them in perpetuity.

Ontario Endowment For Children And Youth In Recreation Fund

The Community Foundation of Orillia & Area in partnership with the Province of Ontario established this fund to provide a stable, ongoing source of funding to address the recreational and cultural needs of young people. Some examples of the kinds of programs that will be considered for support are after-school cultural and recreation programs, community sports initiatives and neighbourhood playgrounds.

Orillia Museum of Art & History Fund

This endowment fund was established by the Orillia Museum of Art and History to support the ongoing work they do in the community.

Cellar Singers

This fund was established by the Cellar Singers to support the work of the Choir.

Orillia Volunteer Firefighters Community Disaster Relief Fund

This fund was set up by the Orillia Volunteer Firefighters Association to assist local organizations and individuals that have been affected by a personal tragedy such as a devastating fire destroying their home or with a medical problem that may require them to travel great distances. This funds assists affected persons through the North Simcoe Victim Crisis Service, Salvation Army and Canadian Red Cross.

Orillia Y’s Men Scholastic Award 

This fund was established by The Orillia Y’s Men’s Club in 2006, The fund recognizes strong academic achievement and community/school involvement. It provides a cash award for a total of four students: one graduate from each of the 4 high schools in Orillia.

OSMH Foundation Doctor Recruitment Fund

This fund was established through contributions from Orillia Soldier’s Memorial Hospital Foundation to assist community groups in attracting doctors to establish practices in the Orillia area.

Our Ramara Endowment Fund

This fund was set up by the ‘Our Ramara Steering Committee’ for the benefit of people living in Ramara by providing funds to promote the sustainability of charitable projects within the community of Ramara.

The Orillia Vocal Ensemble Fund

This fund was established through the generosity of the estate of Rogers Andrews, founding president of the Orillia Vocal Ensemble. The initial purpose of the fund is to award the Roger Andrews Memorial Scholarship annually to a deserving post secondary vocal or music student.

The Patti Cox Memorial Children’s Fund

This fund was established to assist and support children and children’s activities in the Orillia area that focus mainly on personal development of children where the benefits arising from such personal development will last a lifetime.

The Patti Cox Memorial Senior’s Fund

This fund was established to assist and support seniors and senior’s activities in the Orillia area that focus on improving levels of independence and self-sufficiency of seniors.

The Scott and Jean Tudhope Fund

This donor advised fund was established by Scott and Jean Tudhope. The fund will grant annually at the direction of the donors.

They Had a Dream Fund (Administration Endowment)

This Fund was established to support sustainability for operating and administration costs. It is named “They Had a Dream Fund” in honour of two of the Foundation’s founders, Mr. Jim Dykes and Mr. Ken Koyama.

Tom Parish Scholarship Fund

This scholarship is given annually, in memory of the late Tom Parish, to an Orillia high school graduate who will be attending a college or university to continue studies in Tourism, Marine Biology, Business or Environmental studies.

YMCA Skid Watson Endowment Fund 

This fund was established by the YMCA to recognize and promote the legacy of an exceptional man, Skid Watson. This Fund will be used each year to assist those children, single parents and adults that are in need of assistance with membership and program costs at the Orillia YMCA.