A Gift from the Heart — Investing in North Simcoe’s Future
The Heart of Georgian Bay Community Forward Fund, established in 2023 by long-time North Simcoe residents Marc Wayne and Julie Coleman and administered by the Huronia Community Foundation, continues to strengthen our region through meaningful local investment.
Created to build upon Marc and Julie’s ongoing philanthropic commitment, the Fund is designed to support project-based initiatives that create meaningful impact across our region. At its core, the Fund is about investing in people, helping the most vulnerable, supporting the organizations that serve them, and empowering bold, innovative ideas that make North Simcoe a better place to live, work, and play.
Community Priorities
Grants through the Heart of Georgian Bay Community Forward Fund focus on key community priorities, including:
- Food Security
- Education, Literacy & Training
- Healthy Living Activities
- Environmental Leadership
- Promotion of Mental Health
- Creativity in Arts & Culture
2026 Grant Recipients
Applications for this year’s funding cycle are now closed, and we are proud to announce the following local charities as recipients of support through the Heart of Georgian Bay Community Forward Fund:
- Askennonia Senior Centre – Set It and Share It Slow Cooker (multi-year funding)
- Beausoleil First Nation – Keeping the Kids Active
- BGC North Simcoe – Outreach Support “Invisible Work”
- Big Brothers Big Sisters North Simcoe – Tickets to Success
- CLH Foundation – Fresh Approaches to Bridging the Gap
- Community Reach North Simcoe – FoodREACH Plus (multi-year funding)
- Gateway Centre for Learning – Forward Into Work (multi-year funding)
- Georgian Bay Cancer Support Centre – Camp Hope (multi-year funding)
- Georgian Bay Food Network – Fresh Food and Produce Purchasing (multi-year funding)
- Midland Public Library – Building Cultural Programming at MPL (multi-year funding)
- Quest Art School + Gallery – Youth Creative Explorations Workshops
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul St. Margaret’s Conference – Midland Public Transit Pass
- St. Theresa’s Catholic High School – Superstars Program
- The Guesthouse Shelter – Fitness Program
- Vox Huronia Community Choir – Necessary Equipment (Risers)
- Warm and Cozy Children’s Charity – Expanding Studio
- We Are the Villagers – Villager Kids North Simcoe
- youthLEADarts Inc. – youthLEADS Water Protectors (multi-year funding)
All funded projects provide a direct benefit to residents within Midland, Penetanguishene, Tiny Township, Tay Township, or Beausoleil First Nation.
Generous citizens, community organizations and companies are the benefactors who fund the Huronia Community Foundation. One of 205 Community Foundations of Canada members, HCF works with donors to build financial legacies and endowment funds to make our local community a better place to live, work and play. Having just celebrated its 25 year history of support, HCF has disbursed over $4 million in grants since 2000.
