Ontario Trillium Foundation to Help Bring TORONTO 2015 Games to New Canadians, Communities Across Ontario

TORONTO, Sept. 9, 2014 /CNW/ - Canada's leading grant maker, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, is joining the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games as its Official Community Supporter.

An agency of the Government of Ontario, the Foundation's mission is to build healthy and vibrant communities throughout the province by strengthening the capacity of the voluntary sector through investments in community-based initiatives.

"The Ontario Trillium Foundation is pleased to partner with the TORONTO 2015 Games to support community building across the province through the Pan Am and Parapan Am torch relays," said Dev Sainani, chair of the board of directors for the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

"As part of our commitment to community building, the Foundation will donate the Games tickets it receives through this partnership to the Institute for Canadian Citizenship," said Andrea Cohen Barrack, chief executive officer of the Ontario Trillium Foundation, "so that the newest members of our communities are able to enjoy and participate in the largest international multi-sport event our country has ever hosted."

The Ontario Trillium Foundation annually awards approximately 1,300 grants to community-based not-for-profits and charitable organizations in the arts, recreation, environment and human and social services sectors, and is recognized for its in-depth knowledge of local communities across the province.

"We're excited by the possibilities of this partnership with the Ontario Trillium Foundation to help us bring the spirit and legacy of the Games to communities in all corners of Ontario, as well as to new Canadian citizens," said Saäd Rafi, chief executive officer of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015).

"The Games are a unique cultural and sporting event that provide a wonderful once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to embrace, engage and reflect the jubilation, spirit and welcoming nature of all Canadians and our international guests."

The TORONTO 2015 Games will bring more than 7,600 top athletes from 41 countries and territories in the Americas to Toronto and 15 other municipalities throughout southern Ontario, along with an estimated 250,000 visitors, and media, dignitaries and officials.

The foundation's allocation of tickets to the Games will be distributed by the Institute for Canadian Citizenship through its Cultural Access Pass Program next summer.

"Our organization is dedicated to accelerating new citizens integration into Canadian life," said Gillian Smith, Executive Director and CEO of the ICC. "We're grateful for the support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation in helping bring the excitement of the Toronto 2015 Pan Am/ Parapan Am Games to the new citizen members of our Culture Access Pass."

The Ontario Trillium Foundation joins previously announced members of the TORONTO 2015 sponsor family, including: Lead Partner CIBC; Premier Partners Atos, Chevrolet Canada, Cisco, Live Nation Entertainment, and Loblaw Companies Limited; Opening Ceremony Creative Partner Cirque du Soleil; as well as Official Suppliers Allstream, Beanfield Metroconnect, Coca-Cola, Pattison Outdoor Advertising, FUSE Marketing Group, Imperial, McKesson Canada, Molson Coors, Royal Canadian Mint, Scalar, Schenker of Canada Ltd., Siemens Canada, Toronto Pearson International Airport, the Toronto Star, and Official Broadcaster CBC/Radio-Canada.

About TO2015

The TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015) is tasked with managing and delivering the Games. It is working to bring some of the world's best athletes and artists to the Greater Golden Horseshoe region, giving Ontarians a unique chance to be part of the action, and making the region a hub for sport.

The TORONTO 2015 Games are funded by the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, as well as Lead Partner CIBC and other partners and sponsors.

The TORONTO 2015 Pan American Games will take place July 10–26 and the Parapan American Games August 7–15.

For more information about the Games, please visit TORONTO2015.org.

SOURCE: Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games

Gabrielle Gallant, Media relations, Ontario Trillium Foundation, 416.963.4561, [email protected]; Teddy Katz, Director, media relations and chief spokesperson, TO2015, 416.957.2117, [email protected]