With one grant from the Social Sustainability Fund, an organization was able to provide meals for people living rough in the City of Kawartha Lakes. With another grant, an agency delivered mobile workshops for isolated older adults in the City of Kawartha Lakes, focusing on fall prevention, nutrition, and mental health.
There are just two of nine initiatives made possible because of financial support organizations and agencies received through the Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes’ Social Sustainability Fund (SSF).
The Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes is celebrating the success of its inaugural SSF granting program that helped fund locally driven efforts and services that promote well-being, equity, and belonging throughout the City of Kawartha Lakes.
Launched in 2025 with seed funding from the City of Kawartha Lakes’ human services department, the fund received 18 applications totalling more than $160,000 in requests.
With $56,000 awarded, the SSF supported nine local initiatives addressing mental health, youth engagement, food access, newcomer inclusion, digital literacy, and child development. A volunteer assessment committee reviewed the applications to ensure the funds were allocated equitably and strategically.
The Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes’ Carissa Ferguson told kawarthaNOW the impact of the inaugural program has been significant.
“One of the most meaningful outcomes from this year’s granting was seeing how quickly and creatively local organizations responded to urgent needs in our community,” Ferguson said.
“For example, through SSF support, A Place Called Home (Lindsay’s emergency homeless shelter) was able to launch a weekend food program for individuals living in Lindsay encampments, filling a critical gap and providing consistent access to nutritious meals where there previously were none,” she noted.
“What stands out most is how a relatively modest investment of $56,000 enabled nine organizations to make such tangible, immediate differences, from youth mental health supports and newcomer programs to enhanced food security and opportunities for vulnerable children. It’s a powerful reminder that when we invest directly in community-led solutions, the impact multiplies across the community,” Ferguson said.
Below are the 2025 SSF recipients.
- Community Care City of Kawartha Lakes: Mobile workshops for isolated older adults focused on fall prevention, nutrition, and mental health.
- John Howard Society of the Kawarthas: Nutritious snacks and meals at the Community Integrated Care Hub to encourage wraparound support.
- A Place Called Home: Weekend food program for people living in Lindsay encampments.
- Pinnguaq Foundation: Inclusive weekend science, technology, engineering, art, math (STEAM) programming for youth, promoting mental wellness and digital literacy.
- New Canadians Centre Peterborough: Expansion of newcomer integration and well-being programs into Kawartha Lakes.
- Coboconk & Area Food Bank: Upgrades to food-prep and bulk-purchase capacity.
- Chimo Youth & Family Services: City-wide youth engagement with anti-bullying workshops, focus groups, and a teen wellness fair.
- Fenelon Falls Salvation Army Community and Family Services: Weekly “Hub & Grub” program offering meals, social connection, and referrals.
- Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Foundation: Access to extracurricular activities for vulnerable children and youth.
“When you think of how far $56,000 can go and the impact it will have, it’s truly rewarding,” said Cheryl Faber, director of human services for the City of Kawartha Lakes, in a media release. “This fund captures the collective impact of what’s possible when we work together to support community well-being.”
According to the Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes, in 2026, the SFF will “continue supporting inclusive, resilient, and community-led solutions that make Kawartha Lakes a place where everyone belongs.”
“Next year’s cycle will feature a larger pool of funding to disburse and, for the first time, will expand eligibility to include both registered charities and non-profit organizations.”
The expansion is aimed at ensuring even more community groups can access the fund and bring forward innovative solutions.
While the SSF’s first year was shaped by the City of Kawartha Lakes’ Community Safety and Well-being Report, future cycles will increasingly draw upon the Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes’s Vital Signs research project, which measures community well-being across 11 key indicators of health.
According to the release, doing so will “ensure granting decisions are both evidence-based and deeply responsive, targeting areas where investment can make the most lasting and meaningful impact.”
Meanwhile, the Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes is in the final stages of a brand refresh that will include an updated logo and the shortening of the organization’s operating name to Kawartha Community Foundation.
