grants

Nine northwestern Ontario groups are the latest to benefit from funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

More than $800,000 is being distributed.

The Municipality of Machin will use $140,000 to replace ice plant equipment at its arena.

The Township of Red Rock is getting $173,700 to replace playground equipment at its marina.

The Kenora Nordic and Biathlon Club will use $23,600 to purchase cross-country ski and snowshoe equipment for a lending library.

Thunder Bay-based Beendigen Inc. will use $148,600 to upgrade its counselling facility with new HVAC units, secure accessible entry, and kitchen equipment.

The Local Services Board of Upsala will use $199,800 to upgrade its community centre with improved refrigeration, expanded rink space, heating, and other amenities.

Hospice Northwest will use $10,800 to upgrade kitchen equipment, library resources and seating.

The Local Services Board of Melgund near Dryden will use $36,700 to upgrade water systems and expand community recreation programs.

“Our government is investing in the facilities that bring people together every day, from arenas and community centres to arts, culture and recreation spaces,” states Zee Hamid, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, in a release.

“Today’s investment will support local jobs, strengthen community organizations and ensure families have safe, accessible places to gather, stay active and enjoy local events together.”

Other funding went to organizations in the region’s North Shore communities.

The Trillium fund has also launched a new funding program to strengthen the capacity of the non-profit sector.

Eligible organizations can apply for grants ranging from $50,000 to $300,000 per year for one, two or three years.

Applications are open until October 14, 2026.Nine northwestern Ontario groups are the latest to benefit from funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

More than $800,000 is being distributed.

The Municipality of Machin will use $140,000 to replace ice plant equipment at its arena.

The Township of Red Rock is getting $173,700 to replace playground equipment at its marina.

The Kenora Nordic and Biathlon Club will use $23,600 to purchase cross-country ski and snowshoe equipment for a lending library.

Thunder Bay-based Beendigen Inc. will use $148,600 to upgrade its counselling facility with new HVAC units, secure accessible entry, and kitchen equipment.

The Local Services Board of Upsala will use $199,800 to upgrade its community centre with improved refrigeration, expanded rink space, heating, and other amenities.

Hospice Northwest will use $10,800 to upgrade kitchen equipment, library resources and seating.

The Local Services Board of Melgund near Dryden will use $36,700 to upgrade water systems and expand community recreation programs.

“Our government is investing in the facilities that bring people together every day, from arenas and community centres to arts, culture and recreation spaces,” states Zee Hamid, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, in a release.

“Today’s investment will support local jobs, strengthen community organizations and ensure families have safe, accessible places to gather, stay active and enjoy local events together.”

Other funding went to organizations in the region’s North Shore communities.

The Trillium fund has also launched a new funding program to strengthen the capacity of the non-profit sector.

Eligible organizations can apply for grants ranging from $50,000 to $300,000 per year for one, two or three years.

Applications are open until October 14, 2026.

It could be a first in northwestern Ontario.

The town of Fort Frances is considering the hiring of a grant writer to source out funding and oversee its use.

It is now done by existing staff.

Chief Administrative Officer Marcel Michaels says the new position would alleviate their workload.

“I look at the wage we pay, like our manager and the administrative roles that are tied to grant writing,” says Michaels.

“And to me, I would rather pay somebody and try to extrapolate all of the administrative duties away from our high-level thinking administrator and make them focus on growth and development in this community.”

Operations and Facilities Manager Travis Rob notes that he worked on about 20 grants last year, and has 13 open files that will occupy much of his time over the next month to complete the required reporting.

Major Ontario cities, including Toronto, Ottawa, Mississauga, London, Kingston, and St. Thomas, have dedicated grant writers or utilize contract services.

Councillor Wendy Brunetta says she spoke to seven municipalities and found that only one was considering a similar position.

She says she is not opposed to the idea but notes there has been some discussion about a regional service being created for northwestern Ontario communities.

“In fact, during some discussions that I had with other mayors, we’ve talked about possibly looking at NOMA (Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association) having some ability to provide a service to municipalities in the form of final edits and things like that,” says Brunetta.

Council has agreed to delay making a final decision until next month while Brunetta gathers more information from the regional municipal lobby group.

Administration has included the position in the 2026 operating budget that is also scheduled for council approval next month.