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.  

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]

The 2024 Festival of Trees is almost here. This year’s theme is Holiday Dreams at the Lake and it will be hosted at the Clarion Lakeside Inn on Saturday, December 7th. Please support this incredible event by becoming a sponsor, purchasing tickets, bidding on a tree, or volunteering with our planning committee.

Please visit our Festival of Trees page for all the information on this year’s event!

We’ve just launched the first of our new quarterly newsletters. Check out our July edition right here!

Who We Are

A community foundation is an independent, volunteer-driven charitable organization with a focus on community philanthropy. At KLWCF, we work with local community partners, agencies, organizations, volunteers, or individuals who donate money, time, or support for charitable work in the Kenora and Lake of the Woods Region. We give where we live through a trusted granting program. We provide leadership on issues of community concern and support the causes that strengthen our community.

Kenora and Lake of the Woods Community Foundation is a community leader fostering positive change. We do each of the following:

• Build endowment funds that benefit the community forever
• Provide personalized service for individualized giving
• Partner with professional advisors
• Multiply the impact of gift dollars by pooling resources
• Offer maximum tax advantage for gifts

VISION A Kenora and Lake of the Woods Region where life flourishes and communities grow.

MISSION The Community Foundation is dedicated to helping improve community living and the quality of life for citizens and visitors to Kenora and the Lake of the Woods Region.

MANDATE The Community Foundation aims to strengthen the communities we serve by continuously striving towards three key objectives:

• Endowment building
• Broad and effective grant-making
• Community leadership

Our Impact

Our Foundation serves the City of Kenora and the neighbouring communities of Reddit, Minaki, Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls, the Anishinaabe communities surrounding the Kenora & Lake of the Woods region and the unincorporated areas surrounding Lake of the Woods. We have a staff and team of volunteers that have broad expertise on community issues and needs.

We hold a collection of charitable funds established by people from all walks of life who have one thing in common: the desire to make a difference in their community.

The Kenora and Lake of The Woods Community Foundation helps people invest in the causes they care about most. Grants are awarded to local charities in the following fields: Arts and Culture, Health and Wellness, and Social Services. Animal Welfare, and Environment and the Community at Large.

We have granted over $5 million for community initiatives in these fields since our inception in 2004.

Get Involved

Become a donor. Planned gifts come in all sizes and can be directed in any number of ways:

• Community Fund
• Field of Interest Fund
• Designated Fund
• Donor Advised Fund
• Charitable Agency Endowment
• Memorial Fund
• Funds Held for Others

You Can Help

Become a volunteer. Refer to our Volunteer Handbook to learn more.

Connect with us on social media. Join KLWCF in creating a lasting legacy for our region.

• Stay informed on all of the great things happening in our community.
• Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
• Share your ideas, your inspiration, and your dreams for our community. Refer to our Donor Handbook to learn more.

I am excited to introduce Lynn McAughey as the new Executive Director of KLWCF. Committee Chairs please share this email with your members.

Lynn is a retired school principal and central administrator with Keewatin Patricia District School Board and comes to the KLWCF with over twenty-five years of experience serving youth and families in northwestern Ontario communities.

Lynn has noted how she has always admired the work of the KLWCF and its commitment to improving our community and the quality of life for citizens and visitors to the Kenora and Lake of the Woods region, and her eagerness to work with us.

You will soon have the opportunity to meet Lynn through Board and Committee meetings, and events. Committee chairs, please connect with Lynn to introduce her to your committee’s work. 

Lynn can be reached at [email protected].