THUNDER BAY – BUSINESS – Tbaytel is once again asking for input from the communities it serves to help create positive change through its Tbaytel for Good program, this time with a focus on arts and culture. The fourth and final Tbaytel for Good campaign launches today to encourage non-profit organizations and community groups to submit ideas that they feel will benefit their greater community in a positive way.
“The success of the Tbaytel for Good program over the course of our first three campaigns has been absolutely amazing,” says Tbaytel president and CEO Dan Topatigh. “The response from the non-profit community as well as the public voters who participated has made it possible for Tbaytel to contribute a total of $45,000 to 18 different projects based on the input we received directly from the community.”
Once a good idea is submitted online at tbaytelforgood.net, members of the public anywhere in the world can then vote for their favourite idea and share it with their friends using social media. The top six ideas, based on public voting and a Tbaytel for Good judging panel, will be awarded prizes totaling $15,000 to help make each of the ideas a reality. The grand prize winner will be awarded $5,000 to help bring their arts and culture idea to life and the five semi-finalists will each receive $2,000 to fund their projects or programs.
“When it comes to arts and culture programming in Northern Ontario, the possibilities for worthwhile initiatives to support are endless but so is the creative potential of many of the arts and culture organizations managing them,” adds Topatigh. “We know that there is a great need for financial support for the arts since funding is not always readily available so we are hoping for a wide range of creative idea submissions that will have a lasting impact on the arts community.”
The submission period is now open and ideas will be accepted until Sept. 18, 2014. Other key campaign dates include the opening of voting on Aug. 4, 2014, which runs until Sept. 26, 2014 as well as the final winners’ announcement on Oct. 9, 2014.
