Grantmaking

Durham Community Foundation offers a broad grantmaking program to create a healthy and vibrant place for all to live. To date, Durham Community Foundation has granted over $2 Million to more than 100 charities across Durham Region.

Currently, Durham Community Foundation is reviewing applications related to the Emergency Community Support Fund impacting residents living in the Region of Durham and Northumberland County. As a result, we have pushed pause on opening any additional funding streams at this time. 

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Durham Community Foundation Community Fund(s) Grantstream

Funding is made possible by the permanent endowment funds established by many families throughout our region who love their community. The grant applications are reviewed by an independent committee of professionals who live and work in the Region of Durham.

Ajax Community Fund Granstream

Funding is made possible by the Town of Ajax. DCF is grateful for the Town of Ajax Council’s support in making the granstream available to registered charities that provide programs and services to residents in Ajax. The grant applications are reviewed by an independent committee of professionals who live and work in the Region of Durham and includes residents who live in the Town of Ajax.

Bursaries and Scholarships

Evelyn Burden Music Bursary

The Evelyn Burden Music Bursary is awarded to elementary students in grades 3 through 7 at the time of application, and currently residing in Durham Region. The bursary is for the purpose of providing private piano lessons for students who demonstrate musical interest. Financial need will be a consideration. The bursary for piano lessons is awarded annually to applicants for a one-year period. Previous years’ recipients must re-apply annually for consideration of renewal.

Selection

Students seeking the Evelyn Burden Music Bursary must apply by completing the application below and emailing it by September 18, 2020 to info@durhamcommunityfoundation.ca to be considered.

Todd McNabb Memorial Scholarship

Todd McNabb was a coach in the minor hockey community in Ajax and Pickering for over ten years. Honoring his passion and desire for youth to embrace an extracurricular activity like hockey to build character and create friendships for a lifetime, the Todd McNabb Memorial Scholarship was established in 2014.

Available to a student graduating from a high school in Ajax or Pickering and entering their first year of a post-secondary education program, this $1,000 scholarship requires: participation in minor hockey for a minimum of 3 seasons; strong academic achievement; engagement in extracurricular activities; and active involvement in the community.

Selection

The application cycle has closed for this year and will re-open March 1, 2021.

Students seeking the Todd Memorial Scholarship, must apply by completing the application.

2018 Todd McNabb Memorial Scholarship Recipients

Current Award Winners:

Nicholas Goosney, Josh Jeffrey, Lauren Miller, Brent Prescott & Vincent Putos

Previous Award Winners:

2019

Aidan Dickerson, Brendan James, Andrew Olesinski, Jonathan Rampino & Mackenzie Simpson

2018

Cole Brown, Andrew Karaoulis, Nolan Keats, Zachary Millar & Brianna Wong,

2017

Madison Ayres, Liam Cresswell, Tyler Dender, Megan Florian, Tyler Munro, Brendan

Murphy & Andrew Plummer

2016

Avery Pasternak and Craig Rushton

2015

Alyssa Gee, Andrew Hughes and Graham Port

To find out more about Todd McNabb please visit toddmcnabbscholarship.ca

Note: Given continued growth in the value of the fund, a $1,000 donation was also made to “Their Opportunity” in June 2016 to further support youth hockey programs in Ajax/Pickering.

DCF Grant Policy

Durham Community Foundation recognizes that a vibrant and healthy community can only be built through collaborative efforts, innovative partnerships and a firm commitment to create opportunities for all citizens to enhance the quality of their lives and/or those of their family, friends and neighbours. Granting builds upon the strengths and responds to the needs of our community. It is the most visible aspect of Durham Community Foundation’s work. To effectively fulfill its philanthropic responsibilities within the limits of its resources, Durham Community Foundation’s grants program relies on the following guidelines: