Businesses and entrepreneurs across the Algoma District will have access to new services and new grant-making programs.
The Algoma Community Foundation board of directors has hired non-profit professional Robin Sutherland of Thessalon as their Founding Executive Director.
Co-Chair Jessica Bolduc says Sutherland’s leadership abilities have been proven through her 12-year career that has seen her with local, regional, and national organizations in a variety of sectors.
The Foundation is a new non-profit organization serving the urban, rural, remote, and First Nation communities of Algoma District and is currently working toward obtaining its charitable registration status.
It is also a part of a national network of Community Foundations, registered public charities that contribute to local initiatives by bringing community stakeholders together around issues of local importance, grant-making, information gathering, and sharing.
Their work is supported primarily through donations and proceeds of an endowment. Until the ACF was created, Sault Ste. Marie and the Algoma District was the largest area in Canada not served by a community foundation.
Community Foundations of Canada and GSC have played pivotal roles in getting the organization established. CFC has provided guidance, advice, training and professional development opportunities as well as connections to a national network of community foundations to learn from. GSC has provided startup funding to the ACF to support critical health programs. As part of its commitment to social impact, GSC partners with community foundations across Canada to fund programs that improve access to mental and oral health care. The initiative resulted from a partnership with Hamilton Community Foundation to create a new model of corporate philanthropy that draws on the unique knowledge of local community foundations. ACF will be working with GSC to develop a local granting initiative around these issues in the near future.
“I couldn’t be more honoured to be taking on this role in helping this vital organization get off the ground and do the important work of serving the Algoma District.” says Robin Sutherland, Executive Director. “There are so many incredible nonprofits and charities working hard in areas like mental health, food security, anti-racism, the environment, and arts and culture across Algoma. I’ve been lucky to connect with many of them over the years through my previous roles, and I look forward to listening deeply to what is happening in the community and ensuring the foundation’s work is responding to those needs.”
The Algoma Community Foundation has already been partnering with other local and national groups to support these needs in response to the Covid-19 crisis. Since March 2020 they have distributed over $300,000 to local charities serving equity-seeking groups who have been hit hardest by the pandemic.
This funding came from donations raised at the April 2020 “Come Together Sault” virtual concert fundraiser – held in partnership with SooToday and the Sault Area Hospital Foundation with additional funding from GSC – as well as two rounds of funding from the Government of Canada through the Emergency Community Support Fund, which was also administered locally by the United Way of Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma District.
Through these initiatives the Algoma Community Foundation has been able to provide financial support to 28 charities across the area that are doing incredible work in the areas of mental health, addictions and substance abuse, seniors programming, Indigenous culture-based wellness, food security, 2SLGBTQ+ supports, disability supports, newcomer services, and more.
More information about the Algoma Community Foundation – including updates on new granting initiatives – can be found on their website at www.algomacommunityfoundation.