Summer Granting Ceremony distributes $505,000 to charities in the Kenora and Lake of the Woods Region

Growing our community, one grant at a time

Generous donors, worthy grant recipients, dedicated volunteers, current and past community leaders and members of the public, came together on the evening of June 27^th  at the Clarion Lakeside Inn, to celebrate the charitable sector in the Kenora and Lake of the Woods Region. 

While it was our first public granting ceremony in over five years, attendance was strong, and the words of thanks were heartfelt. Representatives from the charities described to the audience how the granting dollars would help grow the various sectors of our community, including; arts and culture, health and wellness, social welfare, the environment and the community at large. The event was inspirational and ended with a call to action: to join the Community Foundation as a volunteer or start an endowment fund which will benefit our community and region forever. It’s as simple as contacting the Community Foundation and making an appointment to review the endowment fund options. Consider making a lasting gift to your community today.

The Community Foundation’s 6^th Annual Golfing for Philanthropy Charity Fundraiser exceeds expectations and garners $59,000 in sponsorships with twenty-seven teams participating!

The work of the Community Foundation in growing the charitable sector in the Kenora and Lake of the Woods Region, has been strengthened with the success of the 6^th Annual Golfing for Philanthropy Charitable Fundraiser, held on June 12^th at the Kenora Golf and Country Club. Each participating team had the honour of posing with the Community Foundation’s banner announcing $6 Million in grants have been distributed to charities in the Kenora and LOW Region over the past 20 years. Kenora GM presented the charity fundraiser, while Donny B, Tbaytel, Clearmarket Market and Kenora Home Hardware Building Centre, joined as Premium Sponsors. The tournament also benefitted from the dedicated efforts of over twenty volunteers, while all participants enjoyed a delicious BBQ lunch provided by the Rotary Club of Kenora.

The tournament was won by the Dingwall Ford team comprised of Bill Dingwall, Doug Novak, Cam Dingwall and Mike Dingwall. Second place went to our presenting sponsor Kenora GM with golfers Brendan Morris, Jordan Kantola, Jason Kantola and Jonathan Moss. Third place was won by the cleverly worded team, known as “Two Putt Shakur,” with Matt Johnson, Travis Young, Jaye Bergman and Peter Foucher.

The Community Foundation recognizes and thanks all our generous tournament sponsors, prize sponsors, spirited teams and dedicated volunteers for joining us in, Building Forever Together.

Kenora’s Loonie Bear has been beautifully restored to his past glory, in time for the first Matiowski Farmer’s Market of the 2025 season. Loonie has been a delight to children and their families on the Kenora Harbourfront for the past nineteen years! 

Loonie was a generous gift to the Kenora and Lake of the Woods Regional Community Foundation from Andrew B. Paterson and family in 2006, in honor of our children and our beautiful lake region. Loonie was one of the sixty-two bears which formed Cancer Care Manitoba’s “Bears on Broadway” project in Winnipeg in 2005. Mr. Paterson was the chairperson of the Cancer Care Foundation at the time and wanted to share a bear with us in Kenora. He covered Loonie’s delivery and set up costs and installed a special “bear bank” on Loonie’s backside. This was to encourage all of us to give a “Loonie for the love of the Lake”. Thank you again to Andrew Paterson and family for this generous gift. We also recognize and thank acclaimed Manitoba artist Hubert Theroux for completing Loonie’s restoration.

Since 2006, the Community Foundation has led vibrant groups of students at Beaver Brae Secondary School and Saint Thomas Aquinas High School in understanding community needs and making impactful grants to local charities. The program is known as “Youth in Philanthropy” (YIP) and this year, $3,500 in grants were awarded to seven organizations.

“This is a true Kenora success story – youth learning about their community and the importance of giving and contributing where they live. This program empowers youth as decision makers and leaders within our communities. We are so proud of these students who have demonstrated their personal commitment to charities and are actively contributing to help those in need”, said KLWCF Executive Director, Lynn McAughey.

This year’s program was also made possible through the hard work of teacher leaders: Ms. Jocelyn Dockerty at Beaver Brae and Chaplain Dean Woodbeck at STA, and the annual financial support of Northern Credit Union. Community Foundation board members, recipient charities and members of Northern Credit Union were on hand, as the YIP students proudly announced the following grants:

• St. Thomas Aquinas High School Grant Recipients 
• Ma’mo’weh Wii’soo’ka’itwin Foundation, Makwa Patrol, Kenora Chiefs Advisory
• Women’s Shelter, Saakaate House Inc
• Kenora Association for Community Living
• Women’s Place Kenora
• Beaver Brae Secondary School Grant Recipients 
• Minto Early On Centre
• Wiigwas Elder and Senior Care
• Trylight Theatre Company

We are very pleased to present our 2022-2023 Annual Report to the Community. Our mission is dedicated to helping improve community living and the quality of life for citizens and visitors to the Kenora and Lake of the Woods Region.  

Click here to read the 2022-2023 Annual Report

Please join us in welcoming Darlene MacGillivray back to the Community Foundation team! Darlene was Executive Director at KLWCF from 2006-2018 and has jumped back in as Communication & Community Engagement Co-Ordinator. Darlene says, “It’s wonderful to be back in support of our communities, and to be working with new/past colleagues, donors, grant recipients and volunteers!” Darlene can be reached at [email protected] , 807-467-4427.

The Kenora and Lake of the Woods Community Foundation is calling for volunteers to serve on various committees including the Fund Development Committee and for general fundraising activities. Please click here to complete a volunteer application. For additional information, please contact Darlene MacGillivray at 807-467-4427.

To celebrate 20 Years of Giving, the Winnipeg Foundation produced a vibrant video showcasing our great work since 2004. Click here to watch.

We encourage applications from Kenora & Lake of the Woods Region’s Charitable Organizations that:

• Have bold & innovative ideas!
• Address critical issues & challenges in our communities!
• Show a commitment to collaboration & partnership!
• Demonstrate a clear and achievable plan for implementation
• Moffat Funds support & advance the economic, social, physical & intellectuall well-being of children & families.

Applications Open: Jan 28, 2025

Application Deadline: Feb 28, 2025

To Apply (Charitable Organizations Only):

• Visit: www.klwcf.ca
• Call: 807.467.4427
• Email: [email protected]