Governance

Board of Directors

St. Joseph's Foundation is seeking individuals interested in serving as volunteer Directors. This is a meaningful way to give back to our community and support the work of St. Joseph's Care Group.

To express interest, please email sandra.vellinga@tbh.net.

Public
Board Minutes
Directors Only
Board Portal
Steve McCauley
Chair of the Board
Gail Brescia
Secretary-Treasurer
Trevor Caddo
Director
Kelsee Fischer
Director
Therese Lim
Director
Wendy Piccinin
Director
Brian Walmark
Director
Marc Degagne
Vice Chair
Vacant
Past Chair
Laurie Clarke
Director
Sharon Hollinsworth
Director
Brent Mandryk
Director
Nathan Wainwright
Director
Deb Comuzzi
Director
Representative, SJCG Board

Ex Officio

Janine Black
President & CEO, St. Joseph's Care Group

Honourary Directors

John Atwood
Tom Beck
Sharron Owen
A Living Mission

From a Courageous Act of Compassion

Founded in France in 1650, the Sisters of St. Joseph arrived in Thunder Bay in 1881, responding to the needs of a growing frontier community. What began as teaching and parish support quickly became hands-on care for the sick and injured, leading to the opening of St. Joseph's Hospital in 1884.

A Legacy of Compassion and Giving

Inspired by the mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie, St. Joseph's Foundation of Thunder Bay was established in 1983 to carry forward a long tradition of community generosity and care. Building on earlier grassroots fundraising efforts that helped create St. Joseph's Heritage in the late 1970s, the Foundation formalized a shared commitment to ensuring compassionate, dignified care for generations to come. Today, thanks to the extraordinary support of donors, more than $28 million has been raised to advance this mission—strengthening healthcare and community services across our region and honouring the values that first brought the Sisters to serve those most in need.

Video
Legacy Video
Founders
csjssm.ca
POLICIES AND PRACTICES

How The Foundation Operates

Introduction

St. Joseph's Foundation of Thunder Bay (SJFTB) is committed to operating with transparency, integrity, and responsible stewardship. The policies and practices outlined below provide an overview of how the Foundation manages donations, invests funds, recognizes donors, and supports the work of St. Joseph's Care Group.

These summaries are intended to offer clarity and reassurance to donors, partners, and the community. Each reflects SJFTB's commitment to ethical fundraising, sound governance, and the thoughtful use of charitable resources in alignment with its mission and values.

If you would like a copy of any of these policies, please contact our office at sandra.vellinga@tbh.net.

While donations to SJFTB are primarily directed toward capital equipment, their impact extends far beyond physical assets. Donor support strengthens the quality, compassion, and continuity of care provided across St. Joseph's Care Group.

Through this support, SJFTB helps advance services that promote dignity, independence, healing, and hope for individuals and families at every stage of life. These investments contribute to environments and programs where compassionate care can flourish.

SJFTB accepts and manages donations on behalf of St. Joseph's Care Group, ensuring funds are used responsibly and in alignment with donor intent. Wherever possible, gifts are directed to the program, project, or area of need identified by the donor.

Donations may support capital equipment, renovations, special projects, and other priorities approved by the Board of Directors. Unrestricted gifts are allocated to areas of greatest need, allowing flexibility to respond to emerging priorities.

SJFTB accepts a range of gifts, including present, deferred, and planned gifts. These may include cash, publicly traded securities, gifts-in-kind, bequests, life insurance, and registered retirement plans.

All gifts are reviewed to ensure they align with the Foundation's values, comply with Canada Revenue Agency requirements, and do not create undue financial, legal, or operational risk. SJFTB reserves the right to decline any gift that does not meet these standards.

Estate gifts and bequests provide an opportunity to create a lasting legacy of care. SJFTB is grateful to donors who choose to support the future of St. Joseph's Care Group through their estate plans.

Unrestricted estate gifts are typically directed to the Endowment Fund, while designated gifts are reviewed with the intent of honoring donor wishes whenever possible. All estate gifts are managed with care, oversight, and respect for donor intent.

The SJFTB Endowment Fund provides a permanent source of financial support for the long-term capital needs of St. Joseph's Care Group. Endowed gifts are held in perpetuity, with investment earnings supporting future priorities.

Built primarily through estate gifts and long-term contributions, the Endowment Fund helps ensure the sustainability of care and services for generations to come.

SJFTB maintains a formal Investment Policy Statement to guide the prudent management of endowed and invested funds. The Board of Directors holds ultimate responsibility for investment oversight and is supported by an Endowment Committee.

Professional investment managers are engaged to manage day-to-day investment decisions within defined mandates. Investment performance, risk, and compliance are monitored regularly to ensure responsible stewardship.

Annual spending from the Endowment Fund follows disciplined guidelines designed to balance current needs with long-term preservation of capital. Withdrawals are based on multi-year average asset values to reduce volatility.

All spending complies with Canada Revenue Agency requirements and supports sustainable, long-term funding for capital priorities. Unused funds may be reinvested to support continued growth of the Endowment.

SJFTB is committed to recognizing and stewarding donors in meaningful and consistent ways. Thoughtful stewardship reflects the Foundation's appreciation for generosity and its commitment to long-term donor relationships.

Recognition may include acknowledgements, donor walls, events, publications, and naming opportunities, aligned with donor preferences and established guidelines. In special circumstances, customized recognition may be developed in collaboration with donors.

Respecting donor privacy is a core commitment of SJFTB. All donor information is handled with professionalism and care and is kept strictly confidential.

Donor names and personal details are never shared or published without explicit consent. Donor lists are not sold or exchanged, ensuring trust and discretion in all donor relationships.

SJFTB appreciates the generosity of donors considering gifts of equipment, art, or furnishings. However, not all items can be accepted, and donations intended for St. Joseph's Care Group are reviewed in accordance with established procedures.

Where accepted, gifts-in-kind may be acknowledged and receipted in accordance with applicable guidelines. Donors are encouraged to contact SJFTB in advance to discuss suitability and options.

The Board of Directors plays a vital role in advancing SJFTB's mission through leadership, advocacy, and personal commitment. Board members are expected to contribute their time, expertise, and resources.

It is the goal of SJFTB that all Board members make a personal charitable gift during their term and actively support fundraising and stewardship efforts, reinforcing accountability and leadership by example.