About Us
Our History, How it Started
Several years ago, a group of community-minded leaders living in Dufferin County recognized that many local charities and non-profit organizations were doing good work in our community, but staff and volunteer time was often diverted to bursts of fundraising and administration. In 2016 it was decided that developing the ‘power of many’ approach to supporting charitable work was the best engine for Dufferin’s future as a viable community heading into the future.
Creating a local community foundation was a way to help support local charitable work in a more sustainable way. The benefit of a community foundation is that they support the charitable efforts in a community for the long term by setting up and administering endowment funds. The investment income is then dispersed as grants for projects and services that enrich the community forever.
A volunteer steering committee was formed to investigate the viability of establishing a local community foundation. In 2017 our Founders Circle of leadership investors was formed, we conducted county-wide presentations and met with municipal council and service groups. In 2018, we incorporated, created operating by-laws and officially joined Community Foundations of Canada.
There are over 80 organizations doing fundraising to support their work in social and community services in Dufferin County (and that does not count churches and sports associations). Unfortunately, the result of scattered efforts is that many worthy causes are not funded in Dufferin, and many vital programs remain underfunded or impossible to run.
Together, we can plant seeds in our community that will grow for years and generations to come. We love where we live, work and play – but to maintain and grow it, we must water, support and plan for the future. Together we can create the power of many. Today and forever.
We encourage endowment building and facilitate philanthropic partnerships within Dufferin, today and for future generations. We support the people who live and work here through grants to community projects run by charitable organizations.
Our goal is to supplement the ongoing charitable work in our community by creating new sources of funding for them. We encourage philanthropy of all kinds in Dufferin. We act as champions for issues that matter and direct grants to everything from shelter, education, care for those in need, the environment, recreation and the arts, and more.
The Dufferin Community Foundation is part of a nationwide movement of over 191 community foundations whose objective is to help build stronger and more vibrant communities. The Dufferin Community Foundation was created to serve all parts of the county including Orangeville, Shelburne, Mono, Grand Valley, Mulmur, Melancthon, Amaranth and East Garafraxa
Diversity & Inclusion
We believe in a future that is bright, just, sustainable and not the status quo. We celebrate our individual uniqueness of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status or beliefs.
We foster a space of inclusion by ensuring diverse voices are at the table where important decisions about our future are made.
We have the opportunity to take the long view and the capacity to work nimbly and collaboratively toward community change.
How We Do It
- Our goal at The Dufferin Community Foundation is to make giving easy, flexible and effective. We work with you and/or your financial advisor to maximize the value of your charitable gifts. Our goal is to help you meet important needs in the community, fulfill your charitable goals, and maximize your tax advantages.
- Gifts can support any charitable cause you can imagine. We believe in the power of individuals and organizations working together to effect positive change in Dufferin County.
- Gifts are pooled and invested to form permanent community assets. Earnings from these assets are granted back into the community each year to registered charities.
Our Vision
We envision Dufferin County as a vibrant place where community innovation and leadership flourish, supported by an engaged, focused, well managed and funded charitable sector.
Our Mission
To create a vibrant community where a can-do attitude engages residents, philanthropists and service providers. We strive to connect caring community members to worthwhile causes by growing endowment funds and providing responsible grants that will leave a positive legacy of enriched community wellbeing in Dufferin County.
Our Mandate
The Dufferin Community Foundation will focus its efforts responsibly to:
- Foster philanthropy within Dufferin County
- Build and responsibly manage community-based endowment funds
- Address community needs and opportunities through strategic grant making while honouring the objectives of donors
- Offer an opportunity for people to give back to the community that has nurtured them
Community Foundations of Canada
Community Foundations of Canada is the national network for Canada’s 191 community foundations. Together they help Canadians invest in making our communities better places to live, work and play. More than 90% of Canadian communities have access to a community foundation — from our largest cities to our smallest towns. Collectively they hold combined assets of more than $5.2 billion and have put hundreds of millions back into Canadian communities over their 97-year history. Community Foundations of Canada puts the strength of their philanthropic network to the best possible use for our communities and our country. To find out more about Community Foundations of Canada, visit their website http://communityfoundations.ca/