The 2025 Tbaytel for Good Community Fund began April 8 with submissions due May 20. The winner’s announcement on June 20 has awarded $30,000 to six astounding projects. Winners were chosen by a diverse panel of community judges who scored 59 submissions based on the following criteria: Impact, Beneficiaries, Feasibility, and Budget.
"Each year, we eagerly anticipate the impressive submissions and the vital work being done across Northern Ontario," says Kaitlin Gaspar, Public Relations Communication Coordinator at Tbaytel. "This year, the judges faced a particularly tough decision as the scores were incredibly close among the top contenders. Ultimately, the top scoring three projects received their full funding requests. The remaining dollars were divided equality amongst the next highest scores to ensure that more good could be spread across these impactful projects."
Based on the Judge’s Panel’s decision, the six winners are:
- Schreiber Public School – Let's Grow Together: Grade K-10 students will receive $10,000 to establish a garden tower greenhouse, providing fresh produce to the Northern Ontario community with plans for a larger commercial greenhouse to serve the wider North Shore.
- Wabshkaa Animkii Benesii (WAB After-School Program) – Nourishing our Spirits: Supporting the WAB After-School Meal Program: WAB After School Program will receive $10,000 to utilize from September to December 2025, this program will offer hot, culturally meaningful meals to approximately 25 Indigenous children and youth, while cultural knowledge keepers share traditional food teachings.
- St. Andrew's Dew Drop Inn – Hygiene Bags: St.Andrew’s Dew Drop Inn will receive $3,287.50 to purchase and assemble 1000 feminine hygiene bags (consisting of 4pads & 2 tampons) and an additional 1000 hygiene bags (consisting of toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo & conditioner) to support individuals in Thunder Bay for the remainder of 2025.
- Fort Frances Community Garden- Will receive $2,238 to purchase materials to complete the North Garden fencing, enhancing the community green space that allows residents to grow healthy, lower-cost food.
- Camp Quality: Camp Quality will receive $2,238 to help cover the admission of one child to camp, providing a crucial and memorable experience for a child facing illness, including all necessary provisions and support.
- Community Clothing Assistance: The Undercover Project will utilize $2,328 to purchase essential items of socks and underwear to families in need. This funding will allow the project to expand their reach to families within the community.
Tbaytel takes pride in the significant role played by the Tbaytel for Good Community Fund, embodying its commitment to being a supportive neighbour and actively contributing to the communities that sustain it.
“Thank you to the Tbaytel for Good Community Fund Judging Panel for their hard work in selecting the six winning projects for 2025. We're excited to witness the impact of these six winning projects on our region and extend our gratitude to everyone who participated in this year's community fund,” says Gaspar.
Videos and descriptions of the 2025 winners and past Tbaytel for Good Community Fund winners can be viewed at www.tbaytel.net/communityfund.
