THUNDER BAY – The Thunder Bay Community Auditorium Foundation has a new home.
Concerned the facility’s 30-year-old fundraising arm might be losing some steam and in search of stability to keep up the good work it’s done over the years, board members this year decided to join forces with the $10-million Thunder Bay Community Foundation.
It’s a win-win situation, said TBCAF president Susan Lester.
“As a small volunteer arts organization, we are struggling with donation dollars because we are up against large, professionally staffed health and education foundations,” Lester said.
“We decided we had to take a look at our future.”
Lester noted there is a lot of transient movement on their board, members trying to fit in time to help raise money while also working full time at their own jobs.
“We thought, what can we do to secure our future, both financially and personnel-wise. We looked at many options and we met with Bonnie Moore, the executive officer of the Thunder Bay Community Foundation and what they had to offer just delighted us and fit perfectly with our mandate,” Lester said.
The Auditorium foundation over the years has helped supplement the municipally funded facility, helping to upgrade a new sound board and pay for other capital requirements not fully paid for from city coffers.
Lester said the new partnership gives the Auditorium foundation a day-to-day financial management of their portfolio.
“And now being under the umbrella of a $10-million portfolio with the Community Foundation, it’s going to secure our finances,” she said. “And we know that if for some reason our board no longer exists, that your Community Auditorium Foundation, which fundraises for this arts facility, will always be watched over financially and with marketing and promotion.”
George Badanai, the past president of the Thunder Bay Community Foundation, said the addition of the 12th charity to the fold adds to their ability to give back to the city in perpetuity.
“It makes a great milestone and a great partnership,” Badanai said.
