Algoma Community Foundation wants to use 200,000 CAD ($148,550) in funding to create new, or improve existing mental health programs in the Algoma community.
Northern Ontario has double the mortality rate from overdoses than the south side, said executive director Robin Sutherland.
In the past, the community has developed programs for food security and things like community gardens, she said.
"We’ve seen a lot of really interesting projects happening in the community. Everything from food security projects, community gardens, and things like supporting traditional ceremonies and land-based practices, and different arts and art-space projects," Sutherland said.
The foundation’s goal with the new initiative is to remove barriers to apply for future grants, she said.
“If we can do that, and then, you know, we get a good number of people applying and supporting those projects, I think that would be a measure of our success," Sutherland said.
The foundation wants to help First Nations, she said, and includes some Indigenous members on their board. But she said Algoma’s large size has been a challenge to cover for the foundation.
A link to the applications can be found here.