Vital Community Fund:
The Vital Community Fund allows for funding of special projects that address Mental Health, Affordable Housing, Equity Gap and Inclusion, all identified in our Vital Signs report. This fund is often used to support initiatives through GIVEOakville, including top-ups for charities participating in equity work.
In 2025, the GIVEOakville campaign raised almost $920,000 for local Oakville charities!
Community Classroom partners with local arts, culture, heritage and environmental organizations to provide free programming to local elementary school students. Teachers can book visits to their classroom from one of 7 program providers throughout the school year, paid for through our Youth and Recreation Fund.
Oakville Youth Education Award Fund (OYEA):
Each year, Fundholders and donors alike can support Oakville youth with their education through our Oakville Youth Education Award Fund. These awards are awarded based on the youth’s contributions to the community, their commitment to their education, and other circumstances, rather than academic achievements.
This year, we are awarding at least 20 students with awards to support their post-secondary education.
Oakville Community Foundation has formed a collaboration with Oakvillegreen Conservation Association on the Urban Forest renewal project to increase Oakville’s urban tree canopy, raise awareness about urban forests as climate solutions, and enhance community engagement.
In 2026, using funding from the Urban Forest Fund, we will plant 400 native trees within the Town of Oakville, host 4 public tree planting events, and engage a minimum of 160 volunteers from community groups and neighbourhoods
Oakville Climate Action and Environmental Fund:
Oakville Community Foundation belongs to a national cohort of the Communities for Climate Resilience initiative to develop a program plan to integrate climate considerations into their granting, investments, and community leadership while building clear, actionable resilience initiatives.
Truth and Reconciliation Fund:
OCF’s commitment to reconciliation includes the Debwewin Project. ‘Debwewin’ refers to one of the Anishinabek seven grandfathers’ teachings for “truth.” This project is dedicated to raising questions about the truth about Oakville’s Indigenous past while understanding that there are many Indigenous community members and leaders who live and work locally. The project’s focus is on education through research and placemaking throughout the Town.
In 2025, the Debwewin Oakville Truth Project, led by the Ally Leadership Council, provided various community initiatives, including an Author and Beading event with Sheridan College, a celebration of Indigenous filmmakers with the Museum and in partnership with Oakville Festival of Film and Arts, and showcasing the Debwewin Project at Caring Together week at the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation
Since the beginning of 2026, Oakville Community Foundation has been working with Elder Peter Schuler to realize one of his initial requests: a dedicated Indoor Indigenous Gathering Space.
