Before we turn the page on what has been an extraordinary year for Dufferin Community Foundation, we’d like to take you on a stroll through the “firsts” and “highs” of the past 12 months. This year wouldn’t have been possible without our supporters.
January
First grant from a family fund. Streams Community Hub, the dynamic arts organization serving youth in North Dufferin, started the year with an $18,000 grant from the Greenwood Family Fund. Said Amie Zukowski, “One of the things that we care about as a family is helping young people learn and experience new things that will shape their futures. Streams is a place where kids from every walk of life can pick up an instrument or a camera or a paint brush and get really creative.” Read more
February
First Nonprofit Appreciation Week. Beginning on Valentine’s Day, we showed some love to the people who work at our local not-for-profits, the “invisible champions” who dedicate their lives to helping others. Our Board wrote thank-you cards to every charity that we have funded since 2018. Along with Dufferin Board of Trade, HCIA, DC MOVES, United Way and Dufferin County, we devoted a week to showing our appreciation. Read more
June
First Evening Under the Stars. After two years of pandemic lock downs, everyone was ready for a special summer gathering. Board member Joan Waechter and her husband Paul hosted this elegant and spirited event that brought together 225 people, old friends and new. The energy was as beautiful as the weather, and close to $50,000 was raised for the Foundation.
July
The 17th Annual Jim Cuddy Jamboree. We’re unabashed fans of Jim Cuddy and Blue Rodeo, so we were doubly thrilled to be selected as the beneficiary of this year’s legendary concert at Lyric Pond. Even torrential rains couldn’t dampen the good vibes. The event raised $26,000 for our Environment and Arts & Culture Funds. Read more
August
Dufferin Emergency Support Fund Grants. Four charities that helped some of our most vulnerable residents through the pandemic received $13,000 in Dufferin Emergency Support Fund (DESF) grants this summer. The focus of the 2022 DESF grants was enhancing mental health and shelter/housing services.
We were pleased to support the work of Dufferin Child & Family Services, Choices Youth Shelter, Community Living Dufferin and CMHA Peel Dufferin. As our Grants Chair MaryAnn Lowry said, “Although we’re seeing Dufferin begin to blossom again after two years of pandemic stresses, the charities in our community are still acutely aware that there are deeply rooted issues.” Read More
September
Performance by Viennese Clarinet Duo.
Catherine Carpenko, owner of the Wild Rose Farm Artist Retreat in Mulmur, hosted an outdoor concert by retreat guests and acclaimed musicians Petra Stump-Linshalm and Heinz-Peter Linshalm. Proceeds from the afternoon were dedicated to our Arts & Culture Fund.
October
First Charity Endowment Fund. To mark its 50th anniversary, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dufferin & District created a “forever fund” through Dufferin Community Foundation to support its work for the next 50 years and beyond. They have already raised more than $25,000! The fund will be dedicated to matching children facing adversity with caring adult mentors.
October
First 3D Art Fund. In memory of Rosemary Molesworth, a local artist who inspired many of us with her beautiful and whimsical works from clay, her husband Hugh established a Memorial Art Fund in her name. Over the next 25 years, the fund will support the acquisition of 3-D artwork by local artists at public institutions across Dufferin County. Rosemary’s works will be on display at the Museum of Dufferin and for sale in the gift shop until January 21st, with partial proceeds supporting the memorial fund. Read More
November
Environmental Champions Panel. In 2023, we will allocate our first grant from the Environment Fund (the first of many!). To inform and prepare us for this grant stream, we invited four local environmentalists to talk about their vision for the environmental future of Dufferin County and the projects that most need our support. Many thanks to Karen Morrison, Bob Mitchell, David Moule, Nancy Urekar and moderator Bernadette Hardaker for the thoughtful and stimulating discussion.
December
Booster Grants. We were able to double the total amount of our Booster Grant support this year — from $4,500 in 2021 to $10,000 this year — thanks to our local business sponsors. Pictured above, Hyland Heights Elementary School in Shelburne will be one of the schools receiving a curriculum “boost” from Scientists in School. The virtual classroom workshops and teacher resource materials will enrich student learning in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), which is forecast to account for 50-70% of jobs in the future. Read More
Thank you to our photographers
#1 Streams Community Hub, photo by Doug Schaefer
#2 Nonprofit Appreciation Week, collage photos contributed by Orangeville Food Bank, Streams Community Hub and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dufferin & District
#3 An Evening Under the Stars, photos by Deb Sanderson
#4 Jim Cuddy Jamboree, photos by Peter Richardson
#5 Dufferin Emergency Support Fund Grants, photo by Doug Schaefer
#6 Catherine Carpenko, Wild Rose Artist Retreat, photo by Michele Fisher
#7 Big Brothers Big Sisters Charitable Endowment Fund, photo by Gord Gallaugher
#8 Rosemary Molesworth 3D Memorial Art Fund, photo by Michele Fisher
#9 Environmental Panel, photo by Michele Fisher
#10 Booster Grant, Scientists in School, photo by Doug Schaefer
