ABOUT US

For Good. Forever

Welcome to the Sunset Community Foundation

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.

For Good. Forever.

Our Mission is to help organizations and donors make a difference in our communities, Now and Forever.

Our numbers speak for themselves

2024 Grant Recipients
0
2024 Grant Funds
$ 0
Grant Funds since 2001
$ 0 M
Charitable organizations in rural communities face unique challenges, including a lack of resources, limited access to technology, and a smaller pool of potential donors. Despite these challenges, these organizations play an essential role in providing vital services to rural residents. Sunset Community Foundation and its generous donors recognize these challenges and important work and strive to strengthen these organizations through Community Funds as a means of creating a sustainable source of funding for important projects

Charlene Masschelein

Board of Directors Chair

Our People

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 OF DIRECTORS

Paul Shwetz

Treasurer & Finance Chair

Stephanie Allen

Governance Chair & Finance Member

Peter Janzen

Greater Grand Bend Advisory Chair

Jim Jean

Greater Grand Bend Advisory Advocate

Laura Goulding

South Huron Advisory Chair & Relationship Development Member

Abby Armstrong

Bayfield Advisory Advocate & Relationship Development Member

Mike Niglas

Goderich ACW Advisory Advocate

Jim Lynn

Huron Entrepreneur Fund Chair & Governance Member

Bob Illman

Finance, Governance & Greater Grand Bend Advisory Member

Lisa Reaume

Executive Director

COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEES

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:

  • Providing feedback on how the Foundation is perceived in the community
  • Providing insights on how to raise the profile of the Foundation and engage effectively with potential donors
  • Helping spread the Foundation’s key messages
  • Opening doors for the Foundation where appropriate

 

For More Information check out the Community Advisory Committee Terms of Reference.

Greater Grand Bend Advisory Committee

George Shaw

Grand Bend Advisory Committee Member

Debbie Schram

Grand Bend Advisory Committee Member

Garrett Pedlar

Grand Bend Advisory & Grand Men Committee Member

Dwayne Mathers

Grand Bend Advisory & Grand Men Committee Member

Jan Williams

Grand Bend Advisory & Grand Women Events Chair

Bruce Hough

Grand Bend Advisory Member & Grand Men Chair

Cheryl Dinnin

Grand Bend Advisory & Grand Women Chair

Bob Illman

Grand Bend Advisory & Central Grants Committee Member

Jim Jean

Grand Bend Advisory Advocate

Peter Janzen

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 Committee

Joanne Bowen

South Huron Advisory Committee Member

Mary Peterson

South Huron Advisory Committee Member

Barb Down

South Huron Advisory Committee Member

Dave Frayne

South Huron Advisory Committee Member

Leanne Wiseman

South Huron Advisory Committee Member

Tom Prout

South Huron Immediate Past Advisory Chair

Laura Goulding

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 Committee

Jim Lynn

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

Nancy Lowrey

Bayfield Advisory Committee Member

Robert Tremain

Bayfield Advisory Committee Chair

Abby Armstrong

Bayfield Advisory Advocate

Sunset Community Foundation Board is excited to be working with the Bayfield Advisory Committee, formed in the fall of 2024.

Together, we are exploring the potential impact of creating Bayfield and Bluewater  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!

Honorary Councillors

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:

  • Janette Baillie
  • David Bannister
  • Irene Hall
  • Brian Hall
  • Bob Illman
  • Pat Morden
  • Jennifer Mossop
  • Penny Nelligan
  • Frank Palen
  • Tim Sweet
  • Jim Southcott
  • Chris Thompson