Each year, the Thunder Bay Community Foundation provides funding to deserving organizations in the Thunder Bay and District areas.
The Northern Nishnawbe Education Council received two grants from the Thunder Bay Community Foundation’s “Community Fund” in 2021 and 2023 totalling $25,000. These grants help support their annual Wake the Giant Music Festival.
Launched to bring people together through diverse musical performances and engaging activities, the festival features a lineup of both local and national artists across various genres. It aims to foster a sense of unity and pride within Thunder Bay while promoting the region’s vibrant arts scene. The festival often includes not just musical acts but also community-oriented events, workshops, and interactive experiences, making it a key cultural highlight in the city's calendar.
Wake the Giant will be back to celebrate its fifth anniversary on Sept. 14 at the Thunder Bay Waterfront.
"Wake the Giant is so much more than just a music festival," said co-founder and organizer Sean Spenrath.
"Every September, students attending Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School (DFC) leave their homes, families, friends, and everything familiar to them to come to Thunder Bay for school. Wake the Giant is committed to making this transition easier for these students by creating a welcoming community where everyone feels at home."
"All funds raised from the music festival directly support Indigenous youth, including orientation events, workshops, and their transition to life in the city," Spenrath added.
"Thanks to the generous support of the Thunder Bay Community Foundation, we were able to bring in a diverse lineup of artists for the festival. Many of these artists also lead workshops with the students in the weeks leading up to the event, providing them with invaluable experiences and connections."
The purpose of the Thunder Bay Community Foundation is to inspire, promote and facilitate philanthropy to strengthen and support the ever-changing needs of the District of Thunder Bay. We connect people, families and companies with causes where they can nurture their passion, build our community and create a legacy.
This year, the Thunder Bay Community Foundation will be accepting grant applications from Sept. 3 to Oct. 14.
Applicants can apply online for funding by visiting www.tbcf.org/grants.
“I would like to thank all of our donors who support the Thunder Bay Community Foundation. Without them, we could not do what we do. We strongly encourage organizations who need funding to apply for a grant this Fall,” said Mike Belliveau, chair of the Thunder Bay Community Foundation.
If you would like to help make a difference in our community through the Thunder Bay Community Foundation, please contact Athena Kreiner at (807) 627-0512 or akreiner@tbcf.org.
We would be more than happy to share more information on how you can make a difference.
