The Museum of Dufferin (MoD) is well-loved for bringing local history to life in entertaining and informative ways. Now, a new partnership between Dufferin County and the Dufferin Community Foundation will help ensure that it remains an educational treasure for generations to come.

Dufferin County has gifted $750,000 from the Museum Trust to the Dufferin Community Foundation to create the Museum of Dufferin Endowment Fund. The Fund will be permanently invested and the annual income used to provide grants to the Museum each year.

The Dufferin Community Foundation will be responsible for the investment and management of the Fund. The Foundation has a proven track record of building and growing charitable funds and ensuring that gifts are invested wisely. The Foundation also has a large community presence in Dufferin, which the MoD can leverage to engage with potential donors who wish to support cultural heritage preservation in Dufferin County.

The MoD has been a cornerstone of cultural and historical education in Dufferin County for thirty years. It provides critical programming and exhibitions, preserves local heritage and enriches the lives of Dufferin residents. The Museum of Dufferin Endowment Fund will enhance the long-term financial sustainability of the Museum by providing annual grants to enhance its operations, reach new audiences and continue to serve as a hub for historical education in Dufferin County.

Anyone wishing to donate to the Museum Endowment Fund can contact the Dufferin Community Foundation at info@dufferincommunityfoundation.com or 519.938.0780. Donors will receive a charitable tax receipt for their gifts.

The Museum of Dufferin collects and preserves the stories of the people, places and culture of Dufferin County — past and present — and shares them through engaging and inclusive experiences. The MoD offers a welcoming, unique and enriching environment for its visitors, with a variety of experiences – from its fascinating exhibitions to its exciting events, programs, and tours.

Located at 936029 Airport Road, Mulmur, Ontario, the MoD features three galleries with permanent and rotating exhibitions and art shows, as well as four historic buildings. The MoD is also home to the Dufferin County Archives where people are welcome to research anything and everything related to Dufferin County’s people, places, and culture.

The Dufferin Community Foundation is the “Forever Fund” for Dufferin County. It invests donations in permanent charitable funds, using the annual income to provide urgently needed support for local organizations. With managed assets of more than $4.1 million and charitable grants exceeding $170,000 in 2025, the Foundation has grown to become one of the largest public funders in the county. For more information, please visit www.dufferincommunityfoundation.ca.

“The Museum of Dufferin is a historical and cultural gem in Dufferin County, and we are so lucky to have it here in our community. It plays an essential role in preserving Dufferin’s heritage and helps enrich our lives with quality programming for people of all ages and interests. The County is excited to announce this partnership with the Dufferin Community Foundation.  With this Endowment Fund, we will help ensure the MoD can be enjoyed by community members and Dufferin visitors for years to come.”

-Janet Horner, Warden, Dufferin County

““The Museum of Dufferin Endowment Fund will provide a source of income that the Museum can count on every single year to continue its level of excellence. We are honoured to be partnering with Dufferin County and the MoD on this ‘forever fund’, which will preserve our dynamic and ever-evolving local history.”

-Michele Fisher, Executive Director, Dufferin Community Foundation

“We’re very excited to have an endowment to increase the sustainability and stability of the Museum and its place in our community for generations to come. Over the last few years, the team at the MoD has been dedicated to increasing our programs and improving our facilities, and the support of this endowment will only strengthen our continued success for the future.”

-Jasmine Proteau, Museum Services Manager, Museum of Dufferin