TYPES OF FUNDS

Durham Community Foundation offers individuals, families, businesses, and charitable organizations many ways to create a personal or family legacy … forever.  Your gift becomes part of a growing pool of investments, creating a lasting legacy.  The original gift is never touched; it is left to grow over time.  A portion of the investment earnings are used to provide grants to a wide range of groups, enabling your gift to go on giving year after year.

Gifts can be made at any time with a donation of cash, securities, insurance policies, bequest, or other planned gifts.

You can make a gift now to any of the funds below, or contact the Foundation to establish your own fund.

1) The Community Endowment allows maximum flexibility to respond to the community’s changing needs and opportunities from year to year.  Grants are awarded to a broad range of charitable projects.  Donors may also create named funds to honour an individual or organization, such as:

Melody Crawford Fund in memory of Melody Crawford.
Joe Dickson Fund, is funded with the proceeds of the annual Dickson golf tournament.
F.W. Kitchen Family Trust Fund, in memory of Mr. Kitchen,an Oshawa citizen and community supporter.
Lafarga Family Fund receives gifts from family and friends recognizing special occasions.
Morrison Anniversary Fund, created to celebrate Bill & Mary’s 25^th wedding anniversary.
Sanderson Family Fund receives gifts from family and friends recognizing special occasions.
Tunney Family Fund celebrates Catharine & Kevin Tunney's involvement in the community and their desire to give back to a community that has provided their family with many opportunities.

2) Field of Interest Funds are created by donors with a special interest (eg. geographic, or charitable sector such as youth).  Grants are awarded to a charity within that specified area.

Ajax Community Fund will support needs and projects specifically in Ajax.  Created by Ajax Town Council, it is intended that citizens will actively contribute.  The fund will have its own advisory committee of individuals living or working in Ajax who will attract donations from local citizens; and will review and recommend grants to support organizations providing service to Ajax residents.

Art of Transition Fund will support arts and cultural initiatives in Durham Region.

Bernie’s Legacy was established by Janet & Alex Georgieff to honour her father.  This fund will support mental health issues, an important issue to Janet, her late father, and her family.

Clarington Fund was created by a former councillor to support charitable projects within the Municipality of Clarington.

Hawkshaw Family Fund is in memory of the parents of Ron Hawkshaw and his sister, Sharon.  This fund will enable children, whose family cannot otherwise afford the fees, to participate in recreational hockey.

Madison Alexander Fund for Single Parents was inspired and launched by Tamara McKee to help single-parent families on their journey toward understanding, independence, and fulfillment.

Ontario Endowment for Children and Youth in Recreation Fund was established in partnership with the Province of Ontario, and encourages and supports participation by children and youth in healthy and safe physical activity, recreation, or cultural programs.

Barry Jackson Memorial Fund was created by Dr. Jackson's family as a tribute to the many lives he touched during his career as Chief Psychologist with the Durham District School Board.  The fund will work with the Ontario Endowment for Children and Youth, to encourage children and youth to participate in healthy and safe physical activity, recreation or cultural programs.

Reg & Lorna Braid Seniors Fund, thanks to Reg and Lorna's planned gift, will ensure seniors across Durham Region have the assistance they need in future, to access medical appointments, get projects completed at home, and access other services they need anywhere in the region.  What a wonderful legacy!

Whitby Public Library Archives Fund was created when donors wanted to support the archives but wished to remain anonymous.  By working with Durham Community Foundation,  the foundation was able to use its stringent anonymous donation policy to enable this gift to be made.  All members of the public are invited to support this endeavour.  This donors' vision is enabling the archives to be digitized and available electronically around the world.

3) Scholarship/Award Funds support the continuing education of deserving students for educational, performing arts, cultural or recreation purposes.

Grace Fund helps women from Durham Region to realize their dream of a university education by providing an annual bursary to a University of Ontario Institute of Technology student.

Jim Witty Scholarship Fund honours Jim Witty’s seventeen years in elected office in municipal and regional government.  This award is presented each year to one or two Ajax students attending the University of Ontario Institute of Technology.

Terry James Volunteer Scholarships Fund honours Terry James who was a consummate community volunteer. A champion of many important causes – Durham Seniors Games, Civitan, Special Abilities Swim Meets – he was also a magnet attracting others to the world of volunteering. Terry James passed away in November of 2006. The Terry James “Honour the Volunteer” Golf Tournament is held annually in September to honour Terry and to honour volunteerism. Through the funds raised, Terry James Volunteer Scholarships are available to elementary and high school students across Durham, encouraging them to volunteer and contribute back to their communities.

4) Donors who wish to actively work with the Foundation in selecting charities to receive grants each year have created the following Donor Advised Funds.

Dyall/Hutton Family Fund. John and Jill created this fund as a way of providing continuing support to the community that they both so generously support.  St. Peter's Food Bank was the delighted recipient of their first grant.

Evelyn Burden Music Bursary Fund honours an Oshawa resident who believed that all children should have the opportunity to take piano lessons.  Selected grade 4-8 students are provided with lessons each year.  Three students are learning the piano this year, thanks to this Fund.

Fraser Legacy Fund was initiated as a Christmas gift by Carlee Fraser to her parents.  The Fraser family and Fraser Ford have been extensively involved throughout the community and look forward to this opportunity to create a lasting legacy.

Garritano Bros. Fund Matt and his brother Alfredo have continued their outstanding philanthropic contributions, by creating this fund to support local charities.

Amanda Sarah Heron Fund honours a special young woman who died tragically in 1998.  Family and friends remember Amanda on special occasions with a gift to this Fund.  It is through grants such as last year’s to Windreach Farm's therapeutic riding program, that Amanda’s loving spirit lives on.

Live Your Dream Fund was created to "help charities live their dream."  Donor Ian Burns works with Durham Community Foundation to help a variety of charities.  Last year, Ian selected Hearth Place Cancer Support Centre, and partnered with Whitby Audio Video to provide the integrated audio video system they needed.

George and Jean Lofthouse Fund was established by Mary Lofthouse and Jean Keane as a tribute to their parents.  Founder of Whitby’s Lofthouse Brass Manufacturing Inc., George and his wife Jean were very active in the community.

Pebblestone Multi-Services Inc. Fund supports women and children in Durham.  This year’s grant was directed to Bethesda House.

Barb Pratt/Blue Heron Book Award honours retired Uxbridge businesswoman Barbara Pratt.  Selected students attending an Uxbridge school receive a gift certificate, redeemable at Blue Heron Books.

Professional Engineers Ontario – Lake Ontario Chapter Fund supports a variety of charities.

Stanley E. Lovell Family Fund is a lasting tribute to Mr. Lovell, a long-time community volunteer, dedicated business leader, now retired.  Lovell Drugs, the oldest independent drug store chain in Ontario, and family-owned for over 100 years, was established by Mr. Lovell’s father.

J. Donald Thornton Memorial Fund remembers a longtime Oshawa resident, who during a forty-one year career with General Motors, and into retirement, dedicated his volunteer efforts to a wide variety of community organizations.  Each year, Mr. Thornton’s wife, Joan, will work with Durham Community Foundation to allocate grants to the different community needs at the time.

5) Agency Endowments help build long-term financial stability for charitable organizations, and support the charity’s planned giving program.  Donors and supporters of these agencies are encouraged to call the Foundation at (905) 430-6507 to discuss how they can include these Funds in their estate plans.

Deohaeko Support Network Fund supports Deohaeko Support Network, a group of Durham Region families dedicated to ensuring that individual members with disabilities live rich and contributing lives. The following named funds honour specific individuals and groups:

Jon Bennett Fund;
Caroline Dionne Fund;
Robert Salmers Fund;
Supporters of Deohaeko Fund; and
Tiffany Dawe Fund

United Way of Ajax Pickering Uxbridge Agency Endowment.  Supporters to this fund are joining the United Way in supporting their Community Initiatives Program which assists grass root organizations with one time support for new programs under development.

YWCA of Durham Agency Endowment will help sustain the YWCA’s work throughout Durham Region for years to come.  Grants from this fund support numerous YWCA projects which impact the lives of women across the Region.

6)  Operating Endowment maximizes Durham Community Foundation’s ability to successfully raise funds and disburse grants to charitable organizations throughout Durham.  Donations support the organization’s operations in perpetuity, from the interest generated annually.  Donors may also create named funds within the Operating Endowment, such as:

The Jim Souch Memorial Fund which was created with Jim’s generous gift of a life insurance policy … an example of his dedication as a respected businessman and community leader.