How To Begin

The Thunder Bay Community Foundation gives individual donors, family foundations, businesses and charitable organizations a number of ways to support our community’s well being. We specialize in building endowment funds, where the capital is not spent and the fund’s earnings support the ever-changing needs of Thunder Bay. We believe that by strengthening the gifts, assets and capacity of individuals and groups, we strengthen our community.

We have a number of funds available for our donors to consider. Many of them are open funds. Gifts may be made to these funds by any interested contributor thereby allowing even modest contributions to be joined with others’ gifts for maximum charitable benefit.

For a list of donors who have contributed over $5,000 to the Community Foundation click here .

                                             The Community Fund

This fund is comprised of donations from a variety of sources: individuals, corporations and foundations. A donation to this fund gives the Foundation the greatest flexibility. The earnings on this fund enable our Board of Trustees to respond to current community needs by providing grants to charities throughout the District of Thunder Bay.  

                                          Field of Interest Funds

Field of Interest Funds work much like our Community Fund, except that donors identify a particular area of interest that they would like to target. Some examples include the arts, heritage, environment, health, scholarships/bursaries, seniors, children and youth, recreation, relief of poverty or education. With these funds, you choose the area of interest but empower the Foundation’s Grantmaking Committee to select worthwhile projects to support. 

Click Here to view our established Field of Interest Funds.

                                          Donor-Advised Funds

A Donor-Advised Fund enables you to have ongoing participation in the selection of charities that benefit from your gift. Donors may choose this type of fund instead of creating a family trust of private foundation. Existing foundations may transfer their assets to the Thunder Bay Community Foundation to achieve higher returns and reduce administrative costs while still remaining involved in allocating grants. 

Click Here to view our established Donor Advised Funds.

                                         Agency Endowment Funds

Charitable Organization Endowment Funds are created and administered by the Foundation on behalf of registered charities. These allow the organizations freedom from investment responsibility and give donors the confidence of knowing that a permanent foundation is in place to support their cause. Once established, the charity can encourage their donors to contribute to their endowment fund. 

Click Here to view our established Charitable Organization Endowment Funds.

                                                       Fund Amounts

Donors may establish Named Funds within the Community Fund with any amount.

A Field of Interest Fund may be established with a minimum donation of $5,000. Once opened, other donors may contribute to the field of interest fund.

Donors may establish a Donor-Advised Fund with a minimum donation of $25,000.

Donors may establish a Charitable Organization Endowment Fund with a minimum donation of $10,000 per designated charity.

For more information on these funds, please contact our office.