Trillium Foundation grants help Sault Symphony Orchestra through pandemic

Funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) in 2021 helped the Sault Symphony Orchestra (SSO) throughout the pandemic, the Hon. Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries, and MPP Ross Romano learned today. 

Last March, the SSO received a $29,800 Resilient Communities Fund grant, as well as a $35,000 Community Building Fund grant from the Government of Ontario in the fall. 

“We are very grateful to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for these two grants,” said Louis St. Pierre, Chair of the Board of Directors for the Sault Symphony Orchestra. “I don’t know where we’d be now if we hadn’t been able to hire these employees. They’ve really helped us grow the SSO over the last several months.”

For more information, see the full release below. 

On Friday, the Hon. Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries, and MPP Ross Romano were on a call with members of the Sault Symphony Orchestra (SSO) to hear how two grants received in 2021 have helped the organization recover from the challenges presented by COVID-19. Joining MPP Romano and Minister MacLeod on the call were members of the SSO and OTF Board member Rod Jackson.

“I’m happy that we are able to support the Sault Symphony with funding through the Ontario Trillium Foundation,” said Ross Romano, MPP for Sault Ste. Marie. “I look forward to the upcoming 50th anniversary season and congratulate the Sault Symphony on their many years of providing entertainment in our community.”

Last March, the SSO received a $29,800 Resilient Communities Fund grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). This program was specifically designed to help non-profit groups rebuild and recover from the impacts of the pandemic. Funds were used to help the SSO with staffing costs for a person to develop new approaches to fundraising and marketing. The grant also helped buy new audiovisual equipment so that they could continue connecting with audiences by hosting and recording live virtual concerts.

In the fall, the SSO received the additional good news that it had received a $35,000 Community Building Fund grant from the Government of Ontario to help with key operating costs. The SSO quickly put these funds to work to cover operating costs and hire a second contract employee. The SSO has long relied on the work of its dedicated volunteers, and thanks to this grant program, administered by OTF, it’s been able to focus on expanding its reach, develop new programs, and re-connect with audiences to help it emerge from the pandemic stronger than ever.

“We are very grateful to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for these two grants,” said Louis St. Pierre, Chair of the Board of Directors for the Sault Symphony Orchestra. “I don’t know where we’d be now if we hadn’t been able to hire these employees. They’ve really helped us grow the SSO over the last several months.”

The Sault Symphony Orchestra is the largest and oldest performing arts ensemble in the region and is committed to entertaining local audiences with a variety of concerts, from classical to pops. The upcoming 2022/2023 season will be the SSO’s 50th Anniversary season. For more information about upcoming performances, please visit: saultsymphony.ca

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations. Last year, nearly $112M was invested into 1,384 community projects and partnerships to build healthy and vibrant communities and strengthen the impact of Ontario’s non-profit sector. In 2020/21, OTF supported Ontario’s economic recovery by helping non-profit organizations rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID-19. Visit otf.ca to learn more.