800,000+ Reasons to Celebrate!
On December 5, 2022, the Thunder Bay Community Foundation held our first Grant Reception since 2019. This important event recognizes and appreciates our donors, volunteers, and charities who make a great impact on our community. The Thunder Bay Community Foundation is announcing that $407,633.63 was given to deserving students and charities throughout 2022.
Each fall, the Thunder Bay Community Foundation accepts online grant applications from charities in the Thunder Bay and District Areas. Without the tremendous support of our generous donors, the incredible work our local charities are doing and our volunteer Grant Selection Committee, the Thunder Bay Community Foundation grants would not be possible.
Rob Zuback, Director of Advancement and External Relations at Confederation College endorses this by saying, “The Thunder Bay Community Foundation and its donors exemplify the axiom of ‘doing good by doing well’ and our community would be far worse off without them. I can confidently say that their support will make a significant difference to our students, and for that we are grateful.”
Confederation College, as well as 32 other organizations received 61 grants for a grand total of $302,178.63 from the Thunder Bay Community Foundation in 2022.
Some of the projects making a positive difference in our community, thanks to the 2022 grants, include:
- Boys & Girls Club of Thunder Bay – Inflatable Fun Program
- Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre – PET/CT, 1A Oncology and Cancer Centre
- Confederation College, PRIDE – Mental Health Workshops
- Society of Saint Vincent de Paul Corpus Christi Conference, School Food Program
- John Ambulance – Therapy Dog Unit Program
Athena Kreiner, CEO of the Thunder Bay Community Foundation emphasizes, “As you can see from the 2022 grants, our donors don’t give to one specific charity or to just one area of need in our community. Our donors support a variety of different causes that are important to them. Investing in and supporting all facets of community and civic life is at the core of what the Thunder Bay Community Foundation does. When donors give to the Boys and Girls Club, they’re not just giving to that organization. They are buying meals for children who might not otherwise eat, they’re providing a safe, supportive place where children and youth can experience new opportunities, overcome barriers, build positive relationships and develop confidence and skills for life. When donors give to our Hospital, they’re not just buying a piece of equipment. They’re helping patients in our community receive world-class healthcare close to home when they need it the most. When donors give to Confederation College or Lakehead University, they’re not just helping out a student today. They’re investing in the education of our youth so we can all benefit as a society in the future.”
Earlier that day, the Thunder Bay Community Foundation received a generous donation of $800,000 from an anonymous donor, the largest single donation from a non-legacy gift that the Foundation has ever received! “The Board of Trustees is thrilled to hear the news of this donation. Our goal is to create a more vibrant, healthy and engaged community by building positive, long-lasting relationships between donors and the worthy causes they support. This extremely generous donation will help grow our Endowment Fund and will have an impact on more people in our community now and in the future”, says Mike Belliveau, Chair of the Thunder Bay Community Foundation.
This donation, along with many other generous donations received from our donors throughout the year, brings the total amount of donations received in 2022 so far to just over $1.5 million. The Foundation is grateful to have donors who are passionate about our community and who continually support our mission to strengthen our community in perpetuity.
The Thunder Bay Community Foundation is ecstatic about how we are ending 2022 and cannot wait to see what 2023 will bring.
A full list of all 2022 grants can be found online at www.tbcf.org