Grant Application Spring

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Organization:
Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions

Charitable Registration Number:
1069 14195 RR0001

Name of Fund being applied to:
Smart and Caring Communities Fund, Ontario Endowment for Children and Youth in Recreation Fund

Address:
60 bell farm road
Unit 7
Barrie, ON L4M 5G6

Contact Name:
Jerome Ben Tolila

Title:
Manager of Communications & Community Relations

Email:
jerome.ben-tolila@familyconnexions.ca

Phone Number:

Website:
https://familyconnexions.ca/camp-program/

Amount Requested:
$4,960

About the organization:

In Simcoe & Muskoka, Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions (SMFC) is one of 2 organizations legally mandated to protect children and youth from abuse and neglect. Programs and services are developed in response to the needs of children, youth, and families in our community. In Ontario, government funding sustains child welfare services like ours, but as a charity, we bridge the gap by raising funds to enhance the lives of vulnerable individuals in our community. The Camp Program is built to support families who can’t afford camp and children who would not have the opportunity to experience camp without it.

Proposed Project Start Date:
April 1, 2026

Proposed Project End Date:
August 28, 2026

Please briefly describe the project and how the funds will be used:

Our Camp Program aims to bridge social gaps and empower financially disadvantaged children and youth in the CFOA. For over 20 years, it provided funding for them to access summer programs that foster learning and community connection. Through a structured referral process, we identify clients facing financial barriers who would benefit from summer programming, then match them to program/camp opportunities tailored to their interests and needs. This program offers them a chance to explore their passions, build critical life skills, and enhance their sense of belonging while also positively impact caregivers, local camps, and the broader Orillia community.

How many people will benefit from the project directly and indirectly within the geographic area covered by the CFOA:

$4,960 will allow us to provide 25 children and youth in the CFOA with a week of day camp or extracurricular programs of their choice. Some of the funds may also be used to purchase Camp-in-a-box supplies for local children who can’t or don’t want to attend camp.

Please list any partnerships and collaborations for this project:

We currently do not have any direct partnerships for our Camp Program, but we work with multiple camp facilities across Simcoe and Muskoka, including facilities in the CFOA. Last year, we worked with the City of Orillia as well as Arts Orillia, and plan on continuing those partnerships.

Please describe any in kind contributions/volunteer labour connected to this project:

Part of our program includes Camp in a box packages for children who can’t go to Camp for any reason. To make this happen, we ask for in-kind support to build the package and include various activities to do at home. In-kind items include toys, outdoor equipment and other items to complete the activities. We rely on the support from volunteers to help us purchase and build the customized packages, and in some cases, deliver them. In other cases, volunteers also help with transportation when a family doesn’t have access to a vehicle to bring their child to camp.

How will success be evaluated?

Success of the program will be evaluated through a robust and multifaceted approach, focusing on participation metrics, recipient impact, and community outcomes. Data will be collected through Jotform applications submitted by our staff serving individuals within the CFOA. These forms will track the number of program participants and key demographic details. Surveys will measure outcomes such as increased confidence, enhanced social connections, and reduced behavioral concerns. Indirect community benefits will also be assessed through follow-up surveys. This comprehensive evaluation framework ensures the program’s outcomes are measurable and directly linked to tangible improvements for the CFOA.

Grant Request Budget

Item:
Camp Registration Fees for 20 children, Camp-in-a-box supplies for 12 children

Description ( if applicable):
Average cost of $40 per day, $200 per week (5 days), Cost value of $80 per child

$ Amount:
$4,000, $960

Total Expenses:
$4,960

Project Funding

Item:

Description ( if applicable):

$ Amount:

Amount Requested from CFOA:
4,960

Total Income:
$4,960

Budget Summary

Total Project Expenses:

Total Project Income:

Attachments

File Upload:
https://www.communityfoundationorillia.ca/frm_file/aWQ6MTM1MXxmaWxlbmFtZTpTTUNZRlMtRmluYW5jaWFsLVN0YXRlbWVudHMtTWFyMjAyNS1TSUdORUQtMS5wZGY=, https://www.communityfoundationorillia.ca/frm_file/aWQ6MTM1MnxmaWxlbmFtZTpTaW1jb2UtTXVza29rYS1GYW1pbHktQ29ubmV4aW9ucy1Cb2FyZC1vZi1EaXJlY3RvcnMtU2VuaW9yLVN0YWZmLUZlYnJ1YXJ5LTIwMjYucGRm, https://www.communityfoundationorillia.ca/frm_file/aWQ6MTM1M3xmaWxlbmFtZTpMZXR0ZXItb2YtU3VwcG9ydC10ZW1wbGF0ZS1TTUZDLUNhbXAtUHJvZ3JhbS1KYW51YXJ5LTIwMjYucGRm

Name:
Jerome Ben Tolila

Title:
Manager of Communications & Community Relations

Signature:
Jerome Ben Tolila

Date:
03/09/2026