Grant and Funding Programs Offered by St. Joseph's Foundation of Thunder Bay

St. Joseph's Foundation of Thunder Bay is the charitable foundation dedicated to supporting St. Joseph’s Care Group and its sites, including St. Joseph’s Hospital, Hogarth Riverview Manor, St. Joseph’s Heritage and the Sister Margaret Smith Centre. Based in Thunder Bay, Ontario, the Foundation mobilizes community generosity and channels funds toward priority needs in hospital care, long‑term care, supportive housing and community-based health services across Northwestern Ontario.

Through individual and corporate donations, memorial giving, special campaigns and planned gifts, the Foundation helps purchase life‑saving and rehabilitative equipment, improve care spaces, and enhance programs that promote dignity, independence and recovery. It also underpins initiatives in mental health and addictions, diabetes and foot care, and supportive living for seniors and vulnerable adults.

The Foundation operates multiple fundraising mechanisms that ultimately translate into financial support for care and programs. Signature events such as the Annual Golf Classic, Curl for Care, Stepping Out for Foot Health and the Be Their Secret Santa campaign raise funds for equipment, specialized therapies and client comfort items. Participation in Ontario’s Split the Pot lottery directs a share of ticket proceeds to the Foundation, helping to fund essential equipment and program enhancements that benefit local patients and residents.

In addition, the Foundation offers free public education sessions through Workshops in the Georgian Room, which are supported by donor contributions. These workshops provide practical guidance on wills, powers of attorney, estate roles and family decision-making, complementing the Foundation’s broader goal of supporting individuals and families connected to St. Joseph’s Care Group.

Inspired by the long tradition of service of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie—who opened St. Joseph’s Hospital in 1884—the Foundation was formally established in 1983 to coordinate and sustain community fundraising. Building on earlier grassroots campaigns that helped create St. Joseph’s Heritage in the 1970s, the Foundation has since raised more than $28 million to strengthen healthcare and community services in the region. Its volunteer Board of Directors oversees governance, transparency and strategic priorities, while Foundation staff lead fundraising, donor stewardship and community engagement.

While the Foundation does not run an open-call grant competition, it functions as a discretionary funding body for St. Joseph’s Care Group. Funds are allocated to capital equipment, program innovation and quality-of-life initiatives that benefit hospital patients, long‑term care residents and community clients. This support helps ensure that people in Northwestern Ontario have access to compassionate, high-quality care close to home, honouring the Sisters’ legacy of serving those most in need.