These Community Collaborative Projects are a cornerstone of United Way Simcoe Muskoka’s commitment to mobilize local action. By joining forces, we can dismantle root barriers and build a stronger, more inclusive region for everyone.

Complete the eligibility quiz that will help you determine your next steps.

If eligible, you will be invited to book a call with our team to determine the scope of your project. A meeting with our team provides an opportunity to discuss whether the project aligns with the United Way Simcoe Muskoka priorities before an applicant(s) invests significant time and resources in completing a full application.

Please download and read the Resource Guide to familiarize yourself with the process and learn important dates.

Eligibility Questions for Community Collaboratives

1 – Will your project serve a community in Simcoe County, The Town of Blue Mountains and/or The District of Muskoka?

2 – Do you have a minimum of 3 multisectoral organizations that will be partnering with you for this project?

Your United Way focuses our funding on organizations and activities in Simcoe County, The Town of Blue Mountains and The District of Muskoka.

As a charitable foundation registered with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), United Way Simcoe Muskoka may only make grants to registered charities or other qualified donees under the Income Tax Act. https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/charities-giving/list-charities/list-charities-other-qualified-donees.html

Your project will need a minimum of three (3) multisectoral partners.

Projects must align with the UWSM core priority areas: Housing Stability, Transit and Mobility Access, Food Security, Mental Health Advancement, Employment Opportunities, System Navigation, and Equity Against Structural Oppression.

We strongly recommend consultation with UWSM staff prior to completion of the application. Grant Information Sessions and Office Hours will be offered on the dates and times below.

Information Sessions (virtual):

September 16, 2026  – 1:00 – 2:00PM  click here to reserve your spot

October 1, 2026  – 12:00AM – 1:00PM click here to reserve your spot

Virtual office hours offer a weekly, one-hour drop-in space where organizations can join virtually, ask questions, and leave at their convenience, just like knocking on an open office door.

Wednesdays on September 9^th, 16^th, 23^rd, 30^th and October 7^th, 14^th, 21^st from noon-1:00PM

Community Collaborative 2027-2030 Virtual Office Hours | Meeting-Join | Microsoft Teams

We are hosting a variety of capacity building opportunities.

Please choose from the sessions below to sign up:

Writing Strong, Strategic Grant Proposals -This session supports participants in strengthening their approach to proposal development. Participants will explore why funders request specific elements, such as data, clearly defined outcomes, and measurable indicators, and how these components strengthen credibility and demonstrate impact. The session will also examine ways to connect key proposal elements, including using relevant data to frame need, aligning outcomes with program objectives, and identifying measures of progress, to develop a clear and coherent funding narrative.

September 23, 2026 –  1:00–2:30PM – sign-up here

Meaningful Collaboration Across Expertise – This interactive session strengthens participants’ ability to collaborate meaningfully across diverse areas of expertise to achieve a shared goal. Using the Collaboration Spectrum Tool (Tamarack Institute), participants will explore how partnerships evolve from loose, ad hoc interactions (cooperate) to more structured alignment (coordinate), and ultimately to deeper, trust-based relationships (collaborate and integrate), moving beyond simply working alongside others to intentionally aligning roles, sharing decision-making, and leveraging each other’s unique strengths.

Date and Time TBD

Storytelling for Impact – This interactive session builds participants’ skills in transforming data into compelling stories that clearly communicate impact. Participants will learn how to combine evidence (data, metrics, and results) with human-centered narratives to make their work more engaging, persuasive, and memorable. Through practical exercises, examples, and guided practice, the session explores key elements of effective storytelling, such as framing a clear message, structuring a narrative, and using data to support rather than overwhelm the story. By the end, participants will be equipped with tools and techniques to communicate their impact in a way that resonates with diverse audiences, including funders, partners, and communities.

Date and Time TBD

Social Media Strategies – This session equips participants with practical strategies to strengthen their organization’s presence and impact on social media. Moving beyond basic use, the session explores how non-profit’s can create meaningful content, align messaging with organizational goals, and use storytelling, visuals, and data to increase reach and engagement, build community, and amplify their mission.

Date and Time TBD

Do you have additional questions? Please contact us at: Collaboratives@uwsimcoemuskoka.ca