Lake of Bays Community Fund Growth Initiatives in the works

The municipality is working to bring more awareness to the fund

Lake of Bays Council received an update about the Community Fund growth initiatives, in the January 13, 2026, meeting.

Executive Director, Mary McIntyre, of the Lake of Bays Community Fund outlined an annual report which included a breakdown of funding approvals over the past year and upcoming growth initiatives.

Her report explains that the goal of the fund, which began in 2024 with $20,000, was designed to support charitable organizations and programs in the Township, including areas like food security, education, health, seniors, children and youth, and recreation.

Since starting it has awarded grants of $1500 each to Community Living Huntsville, the Lake of Bays Heritage Foundation, and YWCA in 2024. $5,000 was transferred to the Townships Community Grant Fund for non-charities, with $2170 given to the Bocce and Curling clubs for 6 sunshade umbrellas, and $2500 for Pastoral Charges for lighting and electrical upgrades at three facilities. Food 4 Kids was awarded $3,000, and the Lake of Bays Heritage Foundation received $2,000 to install a free outdoor library at Marsh’s Falls.

5 bursaries were also awarded by the Foundation “which encourages high school graduates to pursue their education journey,” with $1900 per student reported McIntyre.

She continued that the Foundation has also invited charitable organizations to apply for grants. She adds, “This foundation is dedicated to enhancing the well-being of residents with a focus on youth, seniors, the environment and equitable access to sports and recreation.”

However, she expressed concern about “limited ability to grand funds only to charitable organizations.” She added that the partnership with the municipality will “allow us to flow grants through the Township to recipients in the Lake of Bays.”

Next steps involve initiatives toward greater exposure for the Fund “to bring it to the attention of those in Lake of Bays who can take advantage of the grants that are being offered for the benefit of the community,” reported McIntyre.

She explained that changes involve a software upgrade to help the Foundation with growth initiatives, including a new portal to help work more effectively with donors, advisors, [and] communities “to bring the message of community foundations in a better way to everyone and offer a better understanding of the issues our communities are facing and how we can work together to make our communities better for all of us.”