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 $4 Million to 200+ local charities.

New Funding Opportunities

Opportunity	Submission Deadline
Ajax Community Fund	February 26, 2021
Healthy Communities Initiative	March 9, 2021
Todd McNabb Memorial Scholarship	March 31, 2021

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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. The grantstream will open June 1, 2021.

Ajax Community Fund Grantstream

Funding is made possible by the Town of Ajax. DCF is grateful for the Town of Ajax Council’s support in making the grant stream 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.

Canada Healthy Communities Initiative  

COVID-19 has seriously impacted our access to and use of public spaces, which are the glue of our communities. They are a big part of what makes communities safe, vibrant and connected.

The Canada Healthy Communities Initiative is a $31 million investment from the Government of Canada to support communities as they create and adapt public spaces to respond to the new realities of COVID-19.  We are proud to be working with Community Foundations of Canada and the Government of Canada and Toronto Foundation to provide $2,088,820 of funding to support organizations that are showing creativity and resourcefulness in creating solutions that enable people to connect and access public spaces safely while still respecting public health measures.

Timelines, Application Details and Information Session

Organizations can apply from February 9, 2021 until March 9, 2021, at 5:00 PM PST.

A second application period for funding will take place starting in May 2021.

Visit canadahealthycommunitiesinitiative.ca to find out more about how to apply, explore resources for applicants and sign up for community mobilization sessions.

On Thursday, February 17^th at 3:00pm ET Toronto Foundation will be hosting an online information session. Please register here.

Eligibility 

A broad range of organizations including local governments, charities, Indigenous communities and nonprofits are all welcome to apply for funding. For the full list of eligible organizations please see the Applicant Guide.

Funding can be used for adapting public spaces, or for programming or services that respond to COVID-19 and serve the public or a community disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. 

Projects funded as part of the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative will:

• respond to identified needs arising from impacts of COVID-19;
• create and adapt public spaces, and programming and services for public spaces in the public interest; 
• demonstrate consideration of and connections with the community; 
• serve and be accessible to the public and/or a community disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 (more information in the Applicant Guide; and
• fall within the three Canada Healthy Communities Initiative  theme areas (more information in the Applicant Guide.

Examples of eligible projects include pop-up bike paths, community gardens, art installations or Wi-Fi hot spots. A comprehensive list of examples can be found in the Applicant Guide.

For any additional questions please email chci@torontofoundation.ca

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 30, 2021.

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

Students seeking the Todd Memorial Scholarship, must apply by completing the application below and emailing it by March 31, 2021.

Todd McNabb Memorial Scholarship Recipients

2020 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: