If you represent a charity that has received a grant from any of the community foundations in Simcoe County, they would like to hear your story.

The Community Foundations of Simcoe County have launched a new website www.cfofsc.com.It features stories of their donors, volunteers and the charities to which they have granted funds.

The new website does not replace the websites of the Barrie Community Foundation, Bradford West Gwillimbury and Distict Community Foundation, Huronia Community Foundation or the Community Foundation of Orillia and Area. Instead, it focuses on telling the stories of their volunteers and donors, as well as the charities they have helped. It also acts as a portal to reach the individual community foundation websites and learn more about them.

"We are using our new website to tell the stories of our most precious assets -- our volunteers, donors, and the charities that help so many throughout our region," said Kim Goggins, marketing and communications specialist for the group.

"We want to hear from those who have been affected by the grants given out by the community foundations in Barrie, Bradford, Huronia and Orillia. It's a great way for them to showcase the good work they do," said Goggins.

The Community Foundations of Simcoe County is a collaboration of the four community foundations in the county. They work to build strong communities by investing donations for long-term growth and then distributing the earnings to local charities based on their needs and the needs of each community.

An Ontario Trillium Foundation grant of $176,900 in December 2010 has enabled the four community foundations to work collectively to develop a marketing and communications strategy throughout the region and in the areas they serve. The website is part of a marketing initiative that has taken place over the last year to create a higher profile in the region. Money from the grant also allowed them to purchase new computer software to improve their data management processes.

Last fall, the group held a successful video contest throughout Simcoe County, which asked residents what a strong community means to them. A winner was chosen from each jurisdiction and each winner was able to choose a local charity to receive $500 from the Community Foundations of Simcoe County. To see the submitted videos, visit the new website and click on the Building Strong Communities link.

They are also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cfofscand Twitter at @cfofsc. Please email your stories to info@cfofsc.com.