THUNDER BAY – The Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce is reaching out to charities to help non-profit organizations connect with businesses and potential donors.
The organization on Friday announced a four-part plan aimed at boosting charities’ profiles in the community, while also taking over a recently launched grassroots fundraising campaign that will provide up to $10,000 to different charities on a quarterly basis.
Chamber president Charla Robinson said the 100 People Who Care movement has its roots around the globe, and has already raised $20,000, which has been handed out to organizations around town.
“It will be run now through the Chamber of Commerce, and that’s an opportunity for 100 people or more to commit to giving $100 per quarter to basically a pool, or a general fund. Then each quarter they come together and they nominate the charities they want to be considered, and then the group votes and whoever gets the most votes gets the money for that quarter,” Robinson said.
“So it could be up to $10,000 that that charity is getting for their specific initiative. It’s a great way to bring the business community together and the charities together.”
Brought to Thunder Bay by Michael Nitz in 2017, said the international initiative has grown to 600 groups around the world.
“We’ve had charities like Evergreen, A United Neighbourhood, Our Kids Count, Blessings in a Backpack all be beneficiaries of the program,” said Nitz, adding turning the effort over to the Chamber widens its scope.
“It’s worked really well, in that the donors, not only are they donating money, but their finding out about new, interesting grassroots charities that are happening in our own community and it gives them a chance to actually vote on who they think is most deserving of the funds.”
Robinson said they’ve also opened up a match-making service, to help charities connect with local businesses who might want to support their cause, and have instituted a Charity Connect membership package that offers discounted annual fees for charities that want the networking opportunities that come along by joining the business lobby group.
Linda Bruins, the executive director of Evergreen, A United Neighbourhood, said making things easier for charities is a fantastic idea.
She added their membership was paid by a member organization and she sees plenty of benefits being involved.
“Thunder Bay truly cares and helps a lot of people once they know there is a need,” Bruins said.
“And a lot of our youth have been coming for many years. They’re starting to get a little older (so this) connects them and lets them know there are possibilities through education and training. It’s giving people hope that, while you might be not living ideally now, but businesses will help you, and schools. There is a whole network.”
More information is available at www.tbchamber.ca/charity.
