The Sunset Community Foundation works to make our communities stronger, more vibrant and more just and equitable. We support local organizations that have innovative ideas to improve our region, provide thoughtful community leadership, and attract and manage permanent endowment funds.
The Foundation is home to the Greater Grand Bend Community Fund and the South Huron Community Fund, which includes the municipality funded South Huron Vitality Fund. These funds focused on supporting charities and projects in the communities. SCF supports the Funds by providing administrative, granting and investment services.
The Foundation is also open to the Huron Entrepreneur Fund, which supports small business in Huron County through impact investing.
The Sunset Community Foundation is a member of Community Foundations of Canada.
When you donate to the Foundation, your gift becomes part of our permanent endowment funds. The revenue from the funds is used to support charities in our region. That’s why we say, “For Good. Forever.”
Since the Foundation was founded in 2001, we have supported dozens of organizations in fields from health and education to recreation and the environment, making grants totalling nearly $2 million. Thanks to the vision of our generous donors, the endowment has grown to more than $3.2 million.
Board of Directors Chair
The Sunset Community Foundation is governed by a group of dedicated community leaders who provide their expertise, experience and knowledge on a volunteer basis.
Board Chair
Vice Chair & Executive Member & Central Grants Chair & Finance Member & Governance Member
Treasurer & Executive Member & Finance Chair
Executive Member & GGBA Advisory Advocate
Governance Chair & Finance Member
GGBA Advisory Chair
South Huron Advisory Interim Chair & Relationship Development Member
South Huron Advisory Advocate
Huron Entrepreneur Fund Advisory Advocate & Governance Member
Bayfield Advisory Advocate & Relationship Development Member
Executive Director
Sunset Community Foundation is made up of various Community Funds and each fund has an active Advisory Committee. The Advocates act as a vibrant channel between the Board and each of our funded geographic communities. The Chairs lead the Community Advisory Committees that oversee the Relationship Development and Granting in each of these funded communities.
Advisory Committees contribute by:
For More Information check out the Community Advisory Committee Terms of Reference.
Grand Bend Advisory Chair
Sunset Community Foundation Board is excited to announce the creation of the new Great Grand Bend Advisory Committee which held its first meeting on April 24, 2024 to review the Community Advisory Committee Terms of Reference. This committee consists of 8 community leaders focusing on revitalizing SCF engagement in the Greater Grand Bend Area.
Please get in touch with our Executive Director at lisa@sunsetcommunityfoundation.ca if you would like more information about this committee and its members.
South Huron Advisory Chair
Council entered into an agreement in 2020 with the Sunset Community Foundation (Foundation) to create the Vitality Fund as part of the South Huron Community Fund. The purpose of the Community Fund is to offer financial assistance to non-profit, community-based organizations that provide direct programs, services, or activities to enhance the quality of life for South Huron residents. Additionally, this committee oversees numerous South Huron Family Funds.
The South Huron Community Fund provides a more efficient and effective method of distributing financial grant support to community groups. The South Huron Advisory Committee is made up of community volunteers to evaluate grant applications and make recommendations to the Foundation Board for final decisions. With this arrangement, the South Huron Council has empowered the community to decide the grant funding priorities.
The South Huron Municipal Council has allocated $50,000 per year (2020-2022) to the Fund, with a percentage of the fund to be available in grant applications each year.
Huron Entrepreneur Advisory Chair
The fund was developed by a group of business leaders in Huron County to support charitable activities in Huron County and foster new businesses and grow existing businesses
Funds are held permanently, with grants made to charities from the investment income. The Fund’s capital will be invested in Community Futures Huron, which provides small business loans to enterprises in Huron. Community Futures, in turn, will provide a return to the Fund.
Both the capital and the income from the Fund will be used to benefit the people of Huron County, through business loans and grants to charities. This is a great way for donors to support economic development while reaching out to people in challenging situations.
Bayfield Advisory Committee Chair
Sunset Community Foundation Board is excited to be working on the creation of a Bayfield Advisory Committee. Discussions began back in April with Robert Tremain who is passionate about the need for a Bayfield Community Fund to enhance the sustainability of the numerous Bayfield area not-for-profit organizations. He has been actively recruiting volunteers to get involved by educating the community about the work that SCF has already supported in Bluewater over the last six years.
A Bayfield Open Discovery Session was held at the Bayfield Branch Library on July 31st, 2024. It was a fantastic turnout, featuring a combination of 16 community members, volunteers and board members from Sunset Community Foundation.
We are thrilled to announce that Robert Tremain has been appointed as the new Chair of the Bayfield Advisory Committee!
Together, we explored the potential impact of creating a Bayfield Community Fund, with a special focus on promoting our vibrant arts, heritage, and culture scene.
The newly formed Bayfield Advisory Committee will work to identify common interests among residents, businesses, and families, fostering lasting legacies that will enhance the quality of life in our beloved Bayfield.
Join us at the upcoming Bayfield Fair!
We will have a booth where you can learn more about this exciting new community fund and ask any questions you may have.
Please get in touch with our Executive Director at lisa@sunsetcommunityfoundation.ca if you would like more information about joining or nominating a leading individual!
The Sunset Community Foundation Honorary Council recognizes and engages past board members and other community leaders who have dedicated their time and energy to the success of the foundation.
Our Honorary Councillors are:
Our charitable registration number with the Canada Revenue Agency is 86536 8526RR0001
