One and a half weeks before the official launch, Muskoka had already raised more than $10,000 for local charities through the Muskoka Smart and Caring Foundation.
The foundation officially began on Nov. 15, National Philanthropy Day, as part of a Canada-wide effort to unite communities within as well as with each other.
Money is collected from the community and is then used to help other local charities.
On Nov. 15, the Muskoka foundation had already received $10,600 in donations.
Eva Kuchycki, program director for the foundation, said donations have been flooding in.
“We’re having an overwhelming response from the community, even from charities,” she said. “They’re contacting us and thanking us for helping them grow down the line.”
Donations from the community are invested and once a year and the foundation donates the interest to a local charity.
Kulchycki said they plan to present the first charity with funds sometime in 2013, once the donation has a chance to grow. When in 2013 depends on how many donations they receive and the need in the community.
“When the need arises, then our granting committee will be issuing grants,” she said. Grant applications will be available on the foundation’s website in the future.
To make a donation or for more information call Muskoka Community Foundation, which oversees the Muskoka Smart and Caring Foundation, at 705-646-1220.