Find the fund closest to your heart, or use one as a model for starting your own.
Established in 1983, this is the primary source of funds for our annual community grants. Most gifts are modest, pooled together for broad local impact.
For larger gifts. Donors advise the Foundation Board on which organizations receive grants, or work with staff on an annual granting decision.
The donor directs earnings from this fund to a named charitable organization, to a specific cause, to scholarships or bursaries, or to other specific charitable undertakings. A minimum level of donation is required.
Many charitable organizations establish their own endowment with us because we are "in the business of endowment"; we make it easy and efficient for them and they trust us as stewards of their fund. These funds support specific organizations, allowing them to benefit from the Foundation's prudent investment expertise and donor relations. Some donors opt to have a fund within one of these funds to support a specific aspect of the organization's work.
These funds are held by the Foundation for specific time limited projects and programmes in the community.
A municipal agency or town works with the Foundation to begin its own Community Fund. SCF becomes the asset manager and assists with fund raising but all decisions regarding grants and spending of the income generated would be in the hands of the local community. Within the Community Endowment Fund any of the other types of funds could be established, meaning that the donors would be able to direct donations and individual endowed funds to the community they reside in.
Petrolia Community Fund
Brooke Alvinston Community Fund
A gift to the Foundation from the late Marceil Saddy created the Operations fund. The income from this fund is used for the operation of the Foundation office thereby increasing the amount available for grants to the community from other funds.
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Online, by cheque, through a gift of securities, or as part of your estate plan — explore all the ways to make a gift to the fund that speaks to you.
The Sarnia Community Foundation (SCF) Board of Directors approved a 0.25% increase to the endowment administration fee, raising it to 2.0% effective July 1, 2026, at their May 26, 2026 meeting.
Raising the SCF endowment administration fee from 1.75% to 2.0% aligns the organization with peer foundations of similar assets under management (AUM) and reflects the increasing costs of delivering high-quality donor services, grant making, compliance, and community leadership. The additional revenue will help stabilize SCF operations and support its long-term financial sustainability and community impact.
