Northwestern
2007 - 2008

Please note: We make every effort to show comprehensive grant listings. For official listings of our grants please refer to the Foundation’s Annual Reports or contact us at 1.800.263.2887 or trillium@trilliumfoundation.org.

Community Groups in Northwestern Ontario Receive More Than $650,000 in Grants from The Ontario Trillium Foundation Thunder Bay, April 7, 2008 – Community organizations in Northwestern Ontario will benefit from grants recently ratified by the Board of Directors of the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). Ontario Minister of Culture Aileen Carroll noted that many of the 16 grants totalling $652,600 will help organizations enhance community spaces. Funding will improve accessibility and comfort, increase energy efficiency or be used for innovative technology. “Our government is committed to fostering healthy and vibrant communities, right across Ontario,” said Minister Carroll. “These Ontario Trillium Foundation grants will help build a stronger province by fuelling local economies and improving the quality of life of Ontarians.” The Ontario Trillium Foundation is one of the few funders of capital improvements for Ontario’s not-for-profit sector. OTF, through the Northwestern Ontario Grant Review Team and its Acting Chair Brian Collins, has listened to community groups when they have told us how much they value our capital grants, and we continue to recognize the importance of these grants.  Lake of the Woods Soccer Association will receive $82,000 over one year to expand a small soccer field to a regulation-size pitch in order to accommodate the growing demand for soccer in the Kenora area by participants of all ages. The Corporation of the Township of Atikokan will be awarded $25,000 over one year for equipment in the municipality’s museum and to improve exhibition space, storage, access and efficiency. The upgrades will raise the museum’s profile, attracting more visitors and community involvement.   The Ontario Trillium Foundation is an agency of the Government of Ontario. Ontario's 2008 spring budget boosted the Foundation's annual funding to $110 million from $105 million, which will be further increased to $120 million by 2009-2010. The Community grants listed below were ratified on March 6, 2008. 2008-2009 Environmental Leadership Program c/o Junior Chief and Council of Iskatewizaagegan # 39 The Iskatewizaagegan # 39 Band Council $65,000 over one year to launch a youth-led gardening, greenhouse and composting program in this First Nation community in Shoal Lake. It will increase awareness and knowledge of culturally appropriate community and environmental stewardship. Aguasabon Golf Club Terrace Bay $15,000 over one year to purchase equipment that will improve the safety and maintenance of the space for golfers of all ages in the community and three surrounding municipalities. Chaban Ukrainian Dance Group $9,000 over one year to purchase equipment that will help to enhance skill development for dancers of all ages and showcase Ukrainian culture in Thunder Bay. The Corporation of the Township of Atikokan $25,000 over one year for equipment in the municipality’s museum and to improve exhibition space, storage, access and efficiency. The upgrades will raise the museum’s profile, attracting more visitors and community involvement. Corporation of the Township of Chapple $48,600 over one year to expand and upgrade the town’s outdoor rink, ball diamond and playground, to help increase safety and improve access for children, youth and other residents in this small rural community. Elks Klown Band Inc. $15,000 over one year to purchase equipment so the organization can continue providing entertainment to seniors and children in the Thunder Bay community. Handicapped Action Group Incorporated $98,000 over three years to implement a marketing strategy that will increase awareness of services for people with disabilities. Focus will be on recreational programs and support services for seniors and Aboriginal people in the Thunder Bay area. Keewaytinook Okimakanak (Northern Chiefs) Tribal Council $75,000 over one year to increase opportunities for outdoor leadership training for youth in six northwestern First Nation communities. Culturally appropriate, land-based programs and activities will be led by youth and guided by community elders. Lake of the Woods Soccer Association $82,000 over one year to expand a small soccer field to a regulation-size pitch in order to accommodate the growing demand for soccer in the Kenora area by participants of all ages. Lakehead Search and Rescue Unit Inc. $15,000 over one year to assist with the purchase of a new emergency vehicle. It will be used to transport equipment and volunteers for search-and-rescue operations in the Thunder Bay area. Nishnawbe-Gamik Friendship Centre $100,000 over two years to increase volunteerism, community partnerships and financial support for this emergency shelter, which provides programs and services for Sioux Lookout and the surrounding northern communities. Rainy Lake Conservancy $11,200 over one year to purchase equipment that will enhance the organization’s ability to educate the public about the significance and importance of conservation and preservation in the Rainy Lake watershed. Rainy Lake Fisheries Charity Trust $9,300 over one year to construct a water-circulation system for use at tournaments. It will improve fisheries management and fish care for both live-release tournaments and recreational catch-and-release fishing in the Rainy Lake area. S.C.O.R.E. Board c/o Thunder Bay Thunderbolts Swim Club $57,000 over six months to purchase a scoreboard timing system that will increase the quality and efficiency of events for athletes of all ages and abilities in Thunder Bay and the region. Terrace Bay Curling Club $12,500 over one year to purchase equipment that will increase the quality and enjoyment of curling for people of all ages in the community and neighbouring municipalities. Township of Ear Falls $15,000 over one year to purchase fitness equipment that will help increase the number of physically active citizens of all ages in this small rural community. Ten Community Groups in Northwestern Ontario Receive More Than $630,000 in Grants Thunder Bay, December 3, 2007 -  Community organizations in Northwestern Ontario will benefit from grants recently ratified by the Board of the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Ontario Minister of Culture Aileen Carroll noted that funding totalling $636,400 will help 10 organizations meet local needs in the arts and culture, environment, human and social services, and sports and recreation sectors.  “For 25 years, the Ontario Trillium Foundation has built healthy and vibrant communities, one community organization at a time,” said Minister Carroll. “Ontarians live better lives today because of the good things community organizations do in their communities.” OTF, through the work of the Northwestern Ontario Grant Review Team and its Chair Lucille Michaud, is investing in the charitable and not-for-profit sector. This funding plays a tremendous role in financing improvements to community facilities and helping organizations build their capacity, train volunteers and expand their programs. In Northwestern Ontario, OTF grants make a difference. Equay-wuk (Women's Group) will receive $149,900 over two years to provide positive parenting programs and train-the-trainer workshops to women in 30 First Nation communities. Marathon Curling Club will be awarded $75,000 over one year to replace the clubhouse roof, preventing structural damage and improving the facility’s health and safety. Curling programs will be maintained to provide opportunities for physical activity for students and community curling leagues. OTF is an agency of the Government of Ontario. Its annual funding was boosted to $105 million from $100 million in 2007 and will be further increased to $120 million in 2009-2010. This enhanced funding has resulted in an increase to the maximum amount available for capital grants and the creation of a $2 million Future Fund, which will focus this year on strengthening the impact of organizations working on environmental issues. The Community grants listed below were ratified on November 1, 2007 Anishinabek of the Gitchi Gami Environmental Programs $150,000 over two years to develop and implement environmental programs such as recycling and hazardous waste diversion for the Fort William First Nation. Funding will provide opportunities for citizens to engage in improving their own community. Atikokan Economic Development Corporation $8,500 over one year to purchase assistive listening devices for use by community groups at meetings, workshops, entertainment and other venues. This will enable more inclusive participation in these activities for individuals with hearing loss. Corporation of the Township of Atikokan $15,000 over one year to purchase equipment for the public library that will enhance service to all patrons and improve access to information. Equay-wuk (Women's Group) Inc. $149,900 over two years to provide positive parenting programs and train-the-trainer workshops to women in 30 First Nation communities in Northwestern Ontario. Handi Van Committee c/o Pioneer Club Atikokan $40,000 over one year to purchase a fully accessible van, which will improve and increase transportation services for seniors and people with disabilities in the community. Kenogamisis Fish & Game / Sno Club $15,000 over one year to purchase equipment for this Greenstone-area club that will improve safety and increase the availability of programs and services for members and the community. Marathon Curling Club $75,000 over one year to replace the clubhouse roof, preventing structural damage and improving the facility’s health and safety. Curling programs will be maintained and physical activity provided for students and community curling leagues. Northwestern Ontario Air Search & Rescue Association $75,000 over one year to purchase equipment for training volunteers and performing search and rescue missions in Northwestern Ontario. Revenues will increase and the organization’s capacity to continue search and rescue services will improve. Thunder Bay Diving Club $69,000 over two years to increase the capacity of the club to train instructors, improve program quality and increase revenues and athlete retention rates. This will enhance physical activity opportunities for children and youth in Thunder Bay. Willow Springs Creative Centre $39,000 over two years to work with community partners to cultivate a dynamic, accessible, art and therapeutic gardening program for children with disabilities and youth at risk in the Thunder Bay area. Ratified by the Ontario Trillium Foundation Board of Directors on June 28, 2007 Big Grassy First Nation  $75,000 over one year to renovate a fitness and youth drop-in centre in the community. The centre will provide a safe environment for both fitness and youth activities and promote healthy living. Children's Centre Foundation Thunder Bay  $100,000 over two years to develop and implement an awareness campaign that engages youth as leaders in the community to address child and youth mental health issues. Corporation of the Town of Nipigon  $65,000 over one year to purchase and install equipment in the Paddle to the Sea theme park. This will provide an interactive display and hands-on play equipment for visitors and residents of the community. Deer Lake First Nations Health Services  $15,000 over one year to install a new furnace in the Health Services building. This improvement will enable the organization to continue providing community health programs and services for all residents. Le Stelle Alpine Italian Performing Arts Association  $9,400 over one year to purchase equipment and help enhance skill development for dancers of all ages, showcasing Italian culture through dance in the Thunder Bay community. Nature Conservancy of Canada  $66,500 over two years to develop a biodiversity inventory of Lake Superior’s west coast and conduct watershed research and planning. The capacity for conservation planning and practice by residents of Northwestern Ontario will then increase. Shkoday Obimiwedoon -Thunder Bay Aboriginal Head Start  $50,000 over one year to increase participation in cultural and neighbourhood-based after-school programs for Aboriginal children aged 7 to 13 years in Thunder Bay. Thunder Bay Community Foundation  $144,000 over three years to increase the effectiveness of volunteers and broaden community engagement in the organization by establishing a Youth in Philanthropy program. Thunder Bay Economic Justice Committee c/o Kinna-aweya Legal Clinic  $24,500 over one year to create a multimedia presentation in which people tell their own stories. Public awareness and understanding will then increase about poverty issues faced by people in the community. Thunder Bay Roots of Empathy Coalition c/o Our Kids Count of Thunder Bay Inc.  $120,000 over two years to expand the Roots of Empathy programs delivered to elementary school children in Thunder Bay. The programs raise levels of empathy in children, resulting in more respectful relationships and reduced bullying. Trout Forest Music Festival  $13,800 over one year to purchase equipment that will improve marketing and increase security for participants and volunteers attending the annual festival and community events in Ear Falls.