Financial Assistance

Eligibility

Types of Projects Considered

Recent Recipients

Deadlines

Applying for MCI

Muskoka Community Initiative

Muskoka Community Initiative is designed to assist Muskokans in their pursuit of creative, community-based projects that promote and support economic self-sufficiency and independence. This is best achieved through the formation of working partnerships dedicated to achieving shared goals. Muskoka Futures, in alliance with other sources, will assist by providing coordinating services and financial incentives to community groups whose projects meet this ideal.

Funding for the Muskoka Community Initiative generously originates on an annual basis from FedNor/Industry Canada. It needs to be noted that any Muskoka Futures approval of a project under this initiative is conditional on Muskoka Futures obtaining such support.

What is Community Economic Development (CED)?

Community Economic Development (CED) is an overall approach to development whereby communities themselves take charge of their own economic futures and chart the course they will follow to make that future what they want it to be. CED projects merge the social and economic goals that work towards strengthening and enhancing an aspect of the community. In CED, communities work to create their own solutions to common economic problems. In general, CED always includes some type of business development activity that will lead to the enhancement of the locality as a place in which to live and work.

Financial Assistance is Available

In addition to coordinating services, the Muskoka Futures offers financing for community or business projects in support of community economic development.

Funds through the Muskoka Community Initiative (MCI) are available in the form of small grants. Projects may incorporate a grant and financing from the Muskoka Futures' investment fund. For instance, a grant could be utilized to help cover a portion of the costs of a feasibility study with a loan later utilized to assist in the project itself.

All applicants are expected to generate financial support from their community and/or other funding agencies.

Our budget for grants is limited; accordingly access to assistance is therefore competitive. Awards to approved projects are to a maximum of $5,000 and cannot exceed 67% of the total project cost.

If considering a loan, please request a Muskoka Futures Business Financing Package for information on prerequisites and amounts.

Eligibility

To be eligible for consideration for a MCI grant, the project will be located within the region served by the District of Muskoka. This includes the Towns of Bracebridge, Gravenhurst and Huntsville and the Townships of Georgian Bay, Lake of Bays and Muskoka Lakes.

Preference will be given to not-for-profit community-sponsored groups who have been in existence for at least 6 months and who represent and/or collaborate with the voluntary sector, the private sector, cooperatives or the various levels of government.

All potential applicants will have met with Muskoka Futures personnel prior to making a project proposal.

Types of Projects Considered

Muskoka Community Initiative grants may fund feasibility studies, marketing and promotion, skills training, capital costs, and incremental staffing. Projects are not eligible if they are accessing funding from Fednor or have received prior Muskoka Community Initiative funding.

Priority is given to projects that have:

• a positive effect on Muskoka’s community and economic development
• a regional and/or significant impact
• an element of job creation/retention
• support for youth entrepreneurship and retention
• enhancement of the volunteer sector
• a collaborative approach with community partners
• a sound project budget

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Recent Recipients

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Deadline for Application

The deadlines for consideration at scheduled review meetings are February 28, May 31, August 31, and November 15. Applicants MUST contact the Community Development Coordinator WELL IN ADVANCE of the deadline dates and BEFORE submitting an application.

Retroactive approvals will not be considered. Applicants will be notified of the decision of the Review Committee within a month following the deadline date.

Applying for MCI

To apply for Muskoka Community Initiative assistance, applicants must contact the Community Development Officer to discuss eligibility and criteria, and then complete the application form detailing the project and its budget, and including all support material. Applications may be sent electronically (in PDF format), by FAX, by mail, or hand-delivered.
Muskoka Futures may request a project presentation at the review meeting for clarity.
Contact Muskoka Futures for information.

Download the following forms:

MCI Grant Guidelines (pdf)
MCI Application Form (Word), MCI Application Form (pdf)
MCI Final Report Form (Word), MCI Final Report Form (pdf)