The Comox Valley Community Foundation is making $275,000 available in the form of grants for local registered charities and not for profits in 2021-2022.
“We have taken a very deliberate approach to our granting program this year – the pandemic has exacerbated the inequities experienced by many in our community, and we plan to add our support and voice to the many organizations working to address these complex issues,” said foundation president, Christine Helpard.
“Our intent is to direct our community’s funds where they are most needed, and we are thankful for the honest and forthright advice we received from individuals who are witnessing first-hand the immense challenges our most vulnerable neighbours continue to face,” she added. “We are also committed to incorporating principles of community-based decisions and trust-based philanthropy within our granting program.”
Earlier this summer, CVCF hosted conversations with local charitable and not-for-profit organizations to understand their needs and priorities for the coming year, as well as to hear their thoughts on the major issues facing the community as a whole.
As a result, the CVCF will be adopting a four-pronged approach to granting for 2021-2022:
- $75,000 to address housing insecurity and homelessness,
- $20,000 to assist with charitable/not for profit sector development and sustainability,
- $50,000 to support recreation and social programming for adults with diverse abilities, and
- $130,000 directed to Community Enrichment Grants
Housing insecurity, housing affordability and homelessness were identified as the most important issues facing our community at this time.
To that end, CVCF is committing $75,000 to address housing insecurity, and is working with the Comox Valley Coalition to End Homelessness to identify a process to best tackle this issue.
Information on this process will be available in the coming weeks.
CVCF also heard that charitable and not for profit organizations continue to struggle as a result of the pandemic and the charitable sector, as a whole, is in need of training and development for staff and board members.
The foundation says its committing $20,000 to support a series of training opportunities starting next month, as well as the resources to organize the training and coordinate informal gatherings to promote the sharing of information and collaboration within the sector.
CVCF is also committing $50,000 to support recreation and social programming for adults with diverse abilities. The Developmental Disabilities Fund was established in 2013 to promote the well-being and enrich the lives of adults with diverse abilities living in the valley.
That fund now realizes over $30,000 in income annually and CVCF has contributed additional funds to bring the total amount available to $50,000.
Grant amounts will be determined by the organizations that deliver recreation and social programming for this adult population.
Finally, $130,000 will be available through CVCF’s regular Community Enrichment Grant program.
Applications will be accepted through to Sept. 23rd.
Grant requests related to housing insecurity and support for individuals who are unsheltered, as well as for social and recreation programming for adults with diverse abilities will be addressed outside of this granting process.
Click here for more information and to apply.
Since 1996, the foundation has awarded more than $4.2 million to over 170 local non-profits and 230 students.
For more about the granting program or to learn how to help, visit www.cvcfoundation.org or call 250-338-8444.
