THUNDER BAY – Non-profit groups are looking to the city of Thunder Bay for nearly $500,000 in additional funding in 2020, but the proposed budget that will be debated by councillors in coming weeks doesn’t offer them much hope.
Total requests to the city for its Community, Youth and Cultural Funding Program added up to nearly half a million dollars more than what was approved in 2019. The vast majority of that difference is accounted for by requests from five organizations.
The Regional Food Distribution Association asked the city to boost its funding from $90,000 to $150,000; The Shelter House from $399,000 to $500,000; Boys and Girls Club from $120,000 to $155,000; the Thunder Bay Art Gallery from $266,000 to $321,000; and the Community Auditorium from $727,000 to $915,000.
However, a review committee composed of city staff and citizens recommended against increases for any of those groups. City council will vote on those recommendations during its budget deliberations throughout the remainder of January, and could adjust the amounts.
The program is an important source of funding for many local non-profits, dispersing more than $2.7 million per year to groups that meet select criteria. Those include filling local service gaps, having an established track record of success, and meeting financial and governance requirements.
Volker Kromm, executive director of the RFDA, said his group’s increased request was largely intended to support an additional staff person, responding to growing need in the community. He was disappointed the request wasn’t approved and it could lead to difficult decisions, but said he understands the city’s predicament in balancing spending needs.
“We are struggling,” he said. “To be honest, I have to look at a Plan B,” such as grant applications, new fundraising, or eventual staff cutbacks.
Other organizations mentioned in this article were not immediately available for comment.
