Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Community Living Thunder Bay Foundation (CLTB)

Community Living Thunder Bay Foundation is a charitable foundation created in 1998 from the preserved proceeds of a former group home in Thunder Bay. Its purpose is to promote, support, and protect the status and interests of people with developmental disabilities in Thunder Bay and across Northwestern Ontario. The Foundation raises money and manages donated assets in order to provide financial support where government and public programs are insufficient.

The organization explicitly focuses on filling funding gaps for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. It supports a wide range of needs, from accessibility equipment and home modifications to participation in community, leisure, employment, and other quality‑of‑life activities. By offering accessible grants, the Foundation helps people live more independently and be active members of their communities.

The Foundation’s mandate covers several interrelated funding themes: individualized support, inclusion, advocacy, and empowerment. Its materials emphasize personalized assistance tailored to each person’s needs, addressing not only basic supports but also broader aspects of life such as recreation, community participation, and safety at home. Grants may be directed to individuals, families, or programs that align with this mission.

On its “What We Do” page, the Foundation outlines three key financial functions: resource management, funding allocation, and grant provision. It raises and stewards contributions of money and property, increases funds intended to directly benefit people with developmental disabilities, and makes essential grants available upon request. These grants are positioned as a way to enhance quality of life, complementing public services rather than replacing them.

The Foundation’s grant program serves people across Northwestern Ontario, explicitly from Wawa to the Manitoba border. Eligible applicants must reside within this region. This regional focus allows the organization to respond to local priorities and maintain close relationships with partner agencies, families, and community organizations.

A dedicated “Grant Request” page provides a structured mechanism for accessing funds. It sets out specific application deadlines and invites prospective applicants to complete an online form, after which the Foundation’s Board reviews and issues funding decisions. This demonstrates a formalized, board‑governed process for allocating grants.

Beyond direct grants, the Foundation also encourages individual donors, corporate partners, and community organizations to contribute, and it highlights volunteer involvement as part of its broader support ecosystem. Stories of funded individuals on the site illustrate the impact of these investments, such as equipment that increases safety or opportunities to travel and participate in community life.

The Foundation grew out of grassroots advocacy in the mid‑1970s, when families, friends, and community members worked together to create community‑based housing alternatives to institutional care. The donation of the White Fox Inn by Great Lake Paper, followed by local fundraising for renovations, laid the foundation for a long‑term endowment. When the home was eventually sold, advocates ensured the proceeds were conserved and used to establish Community Living Thunder Bay Foundation.

Today, the Foundation continues this legacy by leveraging donations and partnerships to deliver grants that promote inclusion, dignity, and full community participation for people with developmental disabilities.