Be Part of South Huron’s Legacy
Join the 500 Club Today

The launch of the South Huron 500 Club Fund

This is your chance to help shape the future of South Huron. With a one-time gift of $500, you’ll become a founding member of the South Huron 500 Club. This fund was just launched in Spring 2025 and has already reached $13,500!

This powerful community initiative will give back year after year. Your contribution supports local charities while building a lasting legacy of generosity for future generations.

The first 100 members will help us reach our $50,000 goal to become a Donor Advised Fund, which enables the membership group to have ongoing participation in the selection of charities that will benefit from their gift on an annual basis.

Early contributions will start making a difference right away through earned interest.

Join our Proud Members Today!

  1. Brian Saunders
  2. Lynda Saunders
  3. Arnold Mathers
  4. Anonymous
  5. Barb Down
  6. Debbie Schram
  7. Bob Schram
  8. Laura Goulding
  9. Lisa Reaume
  10. Paul Ciufo
  11. BJ Theophilopoulos
  12. George Finch
  13. Helen Turner
  14. Susan Kraftcheck
  15. Leanne Wiseman
  16. Anonymous
  17. Brenda King
  18. Janice Patriquin
  19. Justine Clarke
  20. Janelle Mudge
  21. Tom Prout
  22. Scott Holman
  23. Kate Holman
  24. Marissa Vaughan
  25. Dave Frayne
  26. Cathy Frayne
  27. Wendy McLeod-Haggitt

For Good. Forever.

South Huron Community Funds

The Sunset Community Foundation Board is proud of the South Huron Advisory Committee, one of our most active community leadership groups. Together, we are working to strengthen South Huron by supporting projects and organizations that reflect the needs, values, and aspirations of local residents.

The South Huron Advisory Committee engages community members, businesses, and families to help build a lasting legacy—one that enhances the well-being and vitality of South Huron for generations to come.

Watch for us at local events, celebrations, and community activities throughout the year!
To learn how you can join or nominate a community leader, please contact our Executive Director at lisa@sunsetcommunityfoundation.ca.

Community Funds

South Huron Advisory Committee

Laura Goulding

South Huron Advisory Chair

Tom Prout

South Huron Immediate Past Advisory Chair

Leanne Wiseman

South Huron Advisory Committee Member

Dave Frayne

South Huron Advisory Committee Member

Barb Down

South Huron Advisory Committee Member

Mary Peterson

South Huron Advisory Committee Member

Joanne Bowen

South Huron Advisory Committee Member

Most Recent Grants

Recent Years:

South Huron Community Funds 2026

RecipientProgramAmount
Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority
partner: Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation
Roots to Canopy: Growing Connections Through Nature$3,500
Avon Maitland District School BoardJack Riddell Family FundScholarship Program$1,550
Avon Maitland District School BoardLavender Family FundScholarship Program$640
Big Brothers Big Sisters of South HuronFamily and Match activity support$1,500
Blyth FestivalMathers Family Fund2026 Programming$880
Exeter Library
partner: Huron County
Youth Advisory Group (YAG) Kickstarter$1,950
Grand Bend Public School
partner: Lambton Kent District School Board
Student Nutrition Program$1,000
Huron Perth Public Health

Bourne Family Fund
Food for Families with Young Children Connected to Healthy Babies Healthy Children in South Huron$2,000
Huron Waves Music FestivalCandlelight Concerts Featuring the Beatles and Taylor Swift$1,500
Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health (Gateway CERH)Benefitting Rural Area Volunteer Emergency Firefighters (BRAVE-F)$500
Jessica’s House HospiceBourne Family FundVolunteer Ambassador Program$1,000
Make-A-Wish CanadaWishes Are Medicine: Improving Children’s Health and Well-being in South Huron$500
Phil McNamee Charitable FoundationInterpretive Signs for Serenity Nature Reserve$1,495
South Huron Soccer Club
partner: West Coast Active Living
Bob Down Family Fund
Goal Replacement at Wagner Field$4,500
South Huron Arts Centre (SHAC)
partner: Exeter United Church
School Arts Program$2,000
West Coast Active LivingGrub Club$1,500
TOTAL:$26,015

South Huron Community Funds 2025

RecipientProgramAmount
(The) Salvation ArmyHuron County Backpack Program$1,000
Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority & FoundationRoots to Canopy: Growing Connections Through Nature$1,250
Avon Maitland School BoardScholarships$1,900
Community Advisory Council (CAC)
partner: Grand Bend Area Community Health Centre
Medfacts/Cool Aid$500
Exeter Branch – Huron County LibraryPride Art Show$680
Exeter Elementary School
partner: Avon Maitland District School Board
Exeter Elementary School Swing$1,000
Huron County Local Immigration PartnershipEnglish Language Training in South Huron$1,000
Huron Waves Music Festival“Listen to the Trees”$1,000
One Care Home and Community Support ServicesEnhancing Recreation & Physical Therapy$1,000
RCL R.E.POOLEY BRANCH 167 EXETER
partner: RCL Branch 167 Poppy Fund
Bar Operation Upgrade$1,000
Scouts Canada – Camp AttawandaronDune Restoration & Environmental Education Day$820
South Huron Arts Centre
partner: Exeter United Church
School Arts Program$1,000
Stephen Central Public School – School Council
partner: Avon Maitland District School Board
Stephen Central Public School Library Upgrades$1,000
United Way Perth-Huron (UWPH)Community Volunteer Tax Clinics for Poverty Reduction$1,000
United Way Perth-Huron (UWPH)Southern Huron Access Centre$1,000
West Coast Active LivingActive Living and Wellness Fair$750
TOTAL:$14,000

South Huron Community Funds 2024

RecipientProgramAmount
Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority
partnered with Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation
Oaks and Acorns$1,250
Avon Maitland District School Board FoundationStudent Scholarships$1,650
Eco Exeter C/O South Huron District High School
partnered with Avon Maitland District School Board
Community Market$1,000
Exeter Pentecostal Tabernacle (Noahs Ark)Community. Connections. Creations.$750
Exeter Skating Club
partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of SH
Skating Bursaries for Client Families of BBBSSH$2,080
Huron Waves Music FestivalNational Indigenous Peoples Day Tribute$2,000
Rural Response for Healthy ChildrenSouth Huron Family Community Garden$500
Scouting – 1st ExeterPacific Jamboree in Sooke B.C$4,000
Tanner Steffler FoundationTSF Connect$2,500
TOTAL:$15,730

South Huron Community Funds 2023

RecipientAmount
Lavendar Scholarship Fund: Avon Maitland District School Board$350
THAMES ROAD ELIMVILLE COMMUNITY PARK
Partner: AdHoc committee of Thames Road Elimville United Church
$500
Stephen Central Public School – School Council
Partner: Foundation for Education Perth Huron
$500
Community Volunteer Income Tax Program
Partner: Huron County Food Bank DC
$500
Huron Waves Music Festival$500
Foundation For Enriching Education Perth Huron$500
Exeter Skating Club (ESC)
Partner: Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Huron, BBBSSH
$1,200
Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Huron$1,500
Alzheimer Society Huron Perth$500
The Exeter and District Heritage Foundation
Partner: The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation
$1,000
Riddell Bursary Fund: Avon Maitland District School Board$760
HEF: Gateway Centre for Excellence in Rural Health$1,500
TOTAL$9,310

South Huron Community Funds 2022

RecipientAmount
Avon Maitland District School Board – Scholarships$1,225
Big Brothers Big Sisters SH$750
Exeter Branch Library – indoor gardens$1,875
Exeter Skating Club (partnered with BBBSSH) – Skating Bursaries$2,000
South Huron Creative Arts Centre (partnered with Exeter United Church)$2,450
TOTAL$8,300

2022 Note

In addition, the Foundation granted $14,169 to
Scholarships and Flow-Through Gifts

South Huron Community Funds 2021

RecipientAmount
Avon Maitland District School Foundation – Scholarships$1,225
Big Brothers Big Sisters SH$1,500
Friends of Pinery Park$300
Noah’s Ark (partnered with UWPH)$2,000
TOTAL$5,025

South Huron Community Funds 2020

RecipientAmount
BBBSSH$2,000
Winterfest$3,000
Huron Waves Music Festival$6,500
TOTAL$11,500

2020 Note

In addition, the Foundation granted $70,000 to local charities from the federal government’s Emergency Community Support Fund
Plus scholarships
Plus flow-through gifts

South Huron Community Funds Group