Do you have a great idea to bring your community together? Grants of up to $500 are now available through the Comox Valley Neighbourhood Small Grants (NSG) program. Applications are open from March 2 to April 9, 2026 at cvcfoundation.org/nsg.

The NSG program—co-funded by the Vancouver Island NSG Network and the Comox Valley Community Foundation—supports small, community member-led projects that foster connection, engagement, and inclusivity.

“Even the smallest ideas can create meaningful change,” says Community Foundation Executive Director Jolean Finnerty. “From craft nights and seed exchanges to neighbourhood parties, art activities, and emergency preparedness demos—these are just some of the past projects that have helped bring neighbours in the Comox Valley closer together.”

Neighbourhood Small Grants help spark creativity and strengthen connections across the Comox Valley. Some past project examples include:

• Sharing the arts – Hosting an accessible choir in the community.
• Celebrating Indigenous culture – Craft nights and traditional food harvesting.
• Intergenerational learning – Youth teaching seniors how to use tablets.
• Growing and eating local food – Mushroom harvesting workshops and community gardening.
• Youth-led initiatives – Senior interviews, reading buddy programs, and care packages.

All NSG projects must be free, inclusive, and open to the community. Funded projects can take place between April and December, but applications close Thursday, April 9, 2026. The process is simple, and no grant-writing experience is needed.

Ready to bring your idea to life?
Visit cvcfoundation.org/nsg to learn more and apply.

Comox Valley Community Foundation is inviting non-profit organizations located in the Comox Valley to share their views on community funding needs through a Focus on Community: Non-Profit Sector Survey that will be open online from February 25 to March 15, 2026.

This survey is one component of an integrated initiative that will help guide priorities for the Community Foundation’s next two-year funding plan starting this August.

“Listening well is part of our responsibility as a community foundation,” says Jolean Finnerty, executive director of the Community Foundation.

“Through the Focus on Community survey, we’re inviting nonprofit leaders to share what they’re seeing on the ground so we can align our next two-year funding priorities with real community needs. We know time is precious, and we’re grateful to those who are able to contribute their insight to help guide this work.”

All charities, societies, and other non-profit organizations located in the Comox Valley are invited to participate no later than Sunday, March 15. Participation in the survey is open to all organizations, regardless of whether they have previously received funding from the Foundation.

Click Here to Start the Survey (5 to 10 minutes)

“We are deeply grateful for all the work that non-profit organizations continue to do in our community, and we appreciate those who are able to make time to share their thoughts with us through this survey.”

The Community Foundation will announce its next Community Granting Programs and application intake in August.

What if everything we thought we knew about charity was wrong?

The Comox Valley Community Foundation is inviting the public to explore that provocative question at a free screening of Uncharitable, an acclaimed documentary that boldly challenges conventional thinking about the nonprofit sector. The event takes place Thursday, November 13 at 7:00 p.m. at the Sid Williams Theatre in downtown Courtenay.

Based on Dan Pallotta’s groundbreaking book and TED Talk — one of the most-viewed in history — Uncharitable explores how outdated beliefs about overhead, frugality, and self-sacrifice have stifled innovation in the charitable sector and limited its potential to drive real change.

“This film honours the passion and commitment we already see in our community,” said Jolean Finnerty, Executive Director of the Comox Valley Community Foundation. “But it also asks us to imagine what might be possible if we truly empowered charities to do their best work — with the resources, trust, and freedom they need to lead.”

With stories from major U.S. charitable efforts that were constrained or dismantled by public scrutiny, Uncharitable pulls back the curtain on the hidden costs of a system that expects nonprofits to “do more with less.” It offers a compelling call to rethink how we invest in social change — and in the organizations delivering it.

Event Details
• What: Free public screening of Uncharitable
• When: Thursday, November 13, 2025
• Time: Doors open at 6:00 p.m.; screening begins at 7:00 p.m.
• Where: Sid Williams Theatre, 442 Cliffe Avenue, Courtenay
• Tickets: www.sidwilliamstheatre.com/events/uncharitable-film-screening/

Following the screening, guests are invited to stay for a brief panel with local nonprofit leaders to reflect on the film’s themes, share perspectives, and hear what they mean for the Comox Valley.

More Than a Movie — A Movement
In an age of growing complexity and interconnected challenges, Uncharitable argues that the charitable sector can — and must — play a central role in solving our biggest problems. But that will require a cultural shift in how we think about risk, scale, and investment in nonprofit work.

“This screening is a chance for community members, nonprofit leaders, donors, and changemakers to come together and reimagine what’s possible,” said Finnerty. “We hope people leave inspired and with a renewed sense of how we can all support a more empowered charitable sector in the Comox Valley.”

More than $450,000 in funding will be available for the non-profit sector this year through the Comox Valley Community Foundation’s next granting programs. The funding, which supports the programs, services, and initiatives of Comox Valley non-profit organizations, will be distributed between August 2025 and March 2026 through four grant streams to eligible organizations.

“The support we’re able to offer local organizations each year is a direct result of the kindness and commitment of so many in the Comox Valley who give through the Community Foundation,” says Jolean Finnerty, Executive Director. “We’re deeply grateful to play a role in channeling that generosity back into the community, where it helps fuel the important work happening every day.”

Distribution of funding will continue to follow a trust-based and community-informed approach through four granting streams:

• $300,000 Community Enrichment Grants
  The Community Enrichment Grants stream is an open application that annually prioritizes funding and impact toward three focus areas. The current year focus areas are:
  1) Mental health and connection
  2) Food insecurity and food systems
  3) Equity, diversity and inclusion
• $50,000 Housing Insecurity & Homelessness
  Housing insecurity, housing affordability and homelessness continue to be among the most critical issues facing vulnerable community members in the Comox Valley. Funding will be available under the direction of the Comox Valley Coalition to End Homelessness.
• $50,000 Environment and Conservation
  Support for environmental initiatives that conserve and protect the Comox Valley’s natural environment and build climate resilience will take place via a community table, comprised of environment- and conservation-focused non-profit community organizations.
• $50,000 Adults with Diverse Abilities
  This bi-annual funding supports recreation and social programming for adults within the diverse abilities’ community thanks primarily to the Developmental Disabilities Fund established to promote well-being of adults with diverse abilities living in the Comox Valley. Grant amounts are determined every other year by the organizations who deliver the programming in community.

Focus areas for all community granting streams are informed through a variety of community listening initiatives, including the Foundation’s Non-Profit Sector Survey, which recently identified mental health, food insecurity, housing insecurity and homelessness, (EDI) equity, diversity and inclusion, and environment/conservation among its top categories for community need.

How to Apply
Community Grants are intended to fund programs, services, and operating activities offered by registered charities and other qualified donees whose work benefits community wellbeing within the Comox Valley. The Community Enrichment Grants online application portal opens Monday, August 18, 2025. To learn more about eligibility and how to apply, click here.

There’s Still Time to Give
The Foundation is asking individuals and local businesses who are able to give to consider a charitable gift to the Community Fund before December 31 to help bridge the anticipated shortfall of funding for this year’s granting programs.

There’s a significant and painful gap between the funding available and the needs expressed by dedicated local non-profits — every year, we see requests that exceed our resources by over $200,000,” says Finnerty. “Every donation to this year’s granting programs has the power to create real, lasting change by reaching the community organizations that need it most, right now.

Comox Valley Community Foundation is excited to announce that 25 projects have been funded through this year’s Neighbourhood Small Grants program. The projects, which will take place throughout the Comox Valley, share a total of $8,750 with grants ranging from $240 to $500.

The Neighbourhood Small Grants program is based on a simple but powerful idea – when people feel a sense of connection and belonging in their neighbourhood, they are more likely to be engaged in activities that make it a better place to live. The program is funded by the Vancouver Foundation and administered locally through the Comox Valley Community Foundation. It supports residents of any age, experience, or background to take part in community building.

“For years, Neighbourhood Small Grants have helped strengthen connections among neighbours across the Comox Valley,” said Jolean Finnerty, the Foundation’s Executive Director. “We’re always impressed by the imagination and enthusiasm that project leaders bring forward. These small grants spark meaningful change and leave a lasting impact in our communities.”

A diverse range of projects will take place in 2025, including a community celebration on Denman Island, a puzzle library in Black Creek, neighborhood gatherings throughout Courtenay, Comox, and Cumberland, gardening workshops, new parent gatherings and much more.

To view the full list of projects or learn how you can apply next spring, visit https://cvcfoundation.org/.

The Comox Valley Community Foundation has granted more than $7 million to over 175 local non-profits and 250 students in the form of grants and scholarships over the past 25 years. As a funder, we support all not for profit and charitable organizations in our community so that they may respond to the pressing and ever-changing needs and priorities of our community.

2025 Neighbourhood Small Grants Projects

Looking for event details?

These grassroots projects are independently organized and typically hosted within neighbourhood circles. Some events may be open to the public, and we’ll share details on social media when available.

The Comox Valley Community Foundation is inviting applications for a new director to join its dedicated board team. We welcome candidates who bring diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and a passion for creating a community where everyone belongs.

Who We’re Looking For
Currently, we are prioritizing candidates with wealth management and investment experience to complement the existing skills of our team.

• Strong candidates are collaborative leaders who can volunteer approx. 5 ~ 10 hrs per month for a three-year term:
• Understand and care about our community
• Act as ambassadors for our mission
• Embrace trust-based philanthropy and advance justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion
• Are willing to learn and work together

If this sounds like you—or someone you know—we encourage you to apply or share this post.

What Directors Do
The Board provides strategic oversight, ensuring the Foundation stays mission-aligned and responsive to community needs. Directors:

• Maintain awareness of issues affecting the Comox Valley
• Serve on Finance or Governance committees to advance strategic initiatives
• Oversee finances, policies, and bylaws compliance

Day-to-day operations are carried out by staff, allowing the Board to focus on the big picture.

About the Foundation
The Comox Valley Community Foundation (est. 1996) is an endowed charitable foundation with approximately $18 million in assets. We partner with generous donors to distribute over $7 million in grants to hundreds of charities—enriching life in the Comox Valley across arts, environment, health, seniors, education and more.

We champion trust-based philanthropy, community-led decision-making, and impact investing to address local needs with equity, transparency and collaboration.

We are honoured to live and work on the unceded traditional territory of the K’ómoks First Nation, and remain deeply committed to learning, reconciliation, and building right relations.

How to Apply
Please send 1) an email explaining your interest, and 2) a copy of your resume.
Deadline: Sunday, August 17, 2025 or until filled.
by email: executive-director@cvcfoundation.org

Looking for the ‘canary in the coal mine’ – Comox Valley Record

Beaufort Watershed Stewards study insects to better understand the stream’s health

Volunteers work with a trainer from the Pacific Streamkeepers Federation to search for tiny invertebrates in streams on the east side of the Beaufort range, from Royston to Qualicum Bay.

The Beaufort Watershed Stewards (BWS) are on the lookout for a “canary in the coal mine”— only, in this case, the canary is a tiny, wiggly insect living under rocks in the streams and rivers of the Beaufort range watersheds.

The bottom-dwelling creatures, known as benthic invertebrates, are more vulnerable than fish. They can’t swim away from pollutants or poor water quality, making them excellent indicators of a stream’s health. While some of these invertebrates can adapt to deteriorating water conditions, many others simply die off. By lifting rocks, counting, and identifying these insects in different streams, trained citizen scientists can get a clear picture of the water’s health.

“The streams need a steward,” said Jill Chudleigh, of BWS. “With the growth of the region, pesticides, habitat and climate change, the water is affected — and by extension — so is everything that relies on the water in that stream. It’s important to monitor and protect it.”

The Beaufort Watershed Stewards is a group of volunteers who use an ecological and scientific approach to environmental conservation. Based on the east side of the Beaufort Range, the volunteers are dedicated to promoting the health and resilience of the watershed.

The benthic invertebrates surveying project is one of five new initiatives funded through the Comox Valley Community Foundation’s Environmental & Conservation Community Table, which convenes non-profits dedicated to environment, conservation, and climate resilience in
the Comox Valley to discuss and distribute available grant funds together across various projects.

The Beaufort Watershed Stewards’ grant made it possible to fund a Pacific Streamkeepers Federation trainer who instructed volunteers on how to properly collect and identify benthic invertebrates, and to record and interpret their findings.

The surveys take place twice a year, during different seasons, to establish a baseline invertebrate inventory in six streams. If the project proves successful, it could serve as a model for monitoring other streams in the watershed.

ADDITIONAL PROJECTS
This project is one of six Citizen Science programs led by Beaufort Watershed Steward volunteers. In addition to the benthic invertebrate survey, they monitor stream temperatures, turbidity, pH, specific conductivity and dissolved oxygen in 20 streams every two weeks.

They also measure stream flow speeds in five areas, track well water levels, and publish regular watershed health assessments.

Volunteers are involved in a tire wear toxin study with the BC Conservation Foundation. Additionally, BWS is collaborating with UVic to map aquifers on the Beaufort range’s eastern slopes.

LEARN MORE
For more information, visit Beaufort Water.

By sorting, counting and identifying the insects (below), citizen scientists can better understand the stream’s health.

Browse more stories and reports. This story, and many others, are featured in Stronger Together our 2025 impact report, supporting over $1 million in community grants to 53 organizations this year.

Drawing the circle wider – Comox Valley Record

Weird Church tackles barriers to food security, arts, and accessibility

Rev. Ingrid Brown outside Weird Church’s 24-Hour Food Shed, which started during 2020 to ensure those who needed food in Cumberland could find it. The Food Shed is one of three projects designed to improve accessibility to community activities, events, and services.[/caption]

Sometimes, it’s the little things that make the biggest difference.

In Cumberland, Weird Church, officially known as the United Church of Canada – Pacific Mountain Region, has been a gathering place built on a foundation of love, justice, and community service since its inception in 2018. So, when an opportunity arose to improve food security, accessibility, and arts programming, Rev. Ingrid Brown knew it was a perfect fit.

“We’re all about being accessible and creating a place of belonging where everyone is welcome,” said Brown. “These upgrades will impact so many partners and groups in Cumberland, especially in supporting arts programming, food security, and accessibility for all.”
Three major projects are now underway thanks to recent funding: much needed upgrades to the 24-hour food shed and shelving, renovations to the accessible ramp, and permanent black stage curtains.

SUPPORT FOR THE FOOD SHED
First up is the Church’s food shed, where aging, wobbly shelves are being replaced after five years of constant use.

The food shed began during the COVID-19 pandemic, when school closures left many families without access to breakfast and lunch programs. Working with the Cumberland Community Schools Society and the Village of Cumberland through the Cumberland Food Share program, Brown and volunteers decided to set up outdoor shelves stocked with essential staples.

“We wanted to make sure there was food available for anyone who needed it,” said Brown. “It’s about neighbours helping neighbours in the best possible way.”

Today, with the support of the Cumberland Legion, Cumberland Rotary, and the Comox Valley Food Bank, the program has expanded significantly. The 24-hour food shed has seen usage rise by more than 300 per cent since its early days, with hundreds of pounds of food moving through it every month.

“People come by all the time — kids filling their backpacks after school, people stopping by at two or three in the morning,” Brown said. “I don’t even know exactly how much food goes through anymore — it happens all the time.”

IMPROVED ACCESSIBILITY RAMP
Weird Church is also overhauling its 35-year-old side access ramp, which had settled unevenly over time. Some boards were also unsafe due to water damage. The improved ramp will provide safer, easier access for people using wheelchairs, walkers, and other mobility aids. The improvements mean Weird Church becomes more available to all participants and provides another accessible location in Cumberland for community events.

SUPPORTING LOCAL ARTS
Inside, Weird Church is adding permanent black stage curtains, made by a Cumberland resident, with fabric kept out of the landfill with the closing of a major Vancouver
fabric store. The curtains will improve lighting and sound for local theatre groups and musicians, eliminating the need to rent equipment and allowing more of the group’s limited budgets to go directly toward performances.

The changes – though small – help them remove barriers, support neighbours, and open the door to belonging for anyone who walks through their doors.

For more information, visit Weird Church

Rev. Ingrid Brown outside Weird Church’s 24-Hour Food Shed, which started during 2020 to ensure those who needed food in Cumberland could find it. The Food Shed is one of three projects designed to improve accessibility to community activities, events, and services.

Browse more stories and reports. This story, and many others, are featured in Stronger Together our 2025 impact report, supporting over $1 million in community grants to 53 organizations this year.

Happiness is a day at the lake – Comox Valley Record

Camp Sunshine creates access to outdoor adventures for adults with diverse abilities

Camp Sunshine participants build confidence, try new things, and connect over activities that others might take for granted during a highly anticipated day camp each summer.

Each summer for the past three years, young adults with diverse abilities gather for a unique experience that blends outdoor adventure with empowerment and inclusion.

Known as Camp Sunshine, the day camp offers participants the chance to experience kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, geocaching, tent building, and more over five days. Each activity is tailored to be accessible for individuals with diverse abilities.

The camp is part of Project Inclusion, a program run by the Comox Valley Child Development Association. Its goal is to help young adults with diverse abilities build confidence, learn new skills, and foster meaningful connections.

Project Inclusion supports about 30 participants year-round as they work toward shared goals, including operating a spice business, cooking, hosting events, maintaining a garden, and even presenting at the annual Growing Together Conference for Childhood Educators in the Comox Valley.

“There is so much pride in everything that they do,” said Cindy Xavier, the association’s executive director.
Camp Sunshine takes those efforts outdoors, offering new experiences, challenges and opportunities.

“Good friends and great memories— that’s what Camp Sunshine is all about,” said Wendy Hawksworth, the program’s team lead. “Happiness is summer at the lake, where everyone is included, and everyone leaves with new friends and a sense of belonging.”

Participants play an active role in planning camp activities, giving them a strong sense of ownership and pride.

“It doesn’t matter if they have a spotter or a navigator to get on the water—it’s about finding a way to build confidence and a sense of freedom through an experience many others take for granted,” Xavier said.

She emphasized that the camp wouldn’t be possible without community support — especially with increased participation and rising transportation costs.

“When the group heard we received funding for this year’s camp, they erupted in cheers,” Xavier said. “It allows them to try new activities, conquer fears, and enjoy outdoor adventures that are out of reach.”

Without this support, many participants would miss out on these enriching experiences. The barriers to accessible outdoor activities too often lead to isolation — but Camp Sunshine provides a joyful, inclusive environment where individuals grow, connect, and thrive.

“We are deeply grateful to all of the volunteers, staff, and donors who recognize the immense value of Camp Sunshine,” Xavier said. “From all of us, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

For more information visit Project Inclusion.

Camp Sunshine participants build confidence, try new things, and connect over activities that others might take for granted during a highly anticipated day camp each summer.

Browse more stories and reports. This story, and many others, are featured in Stronger Together our 2025 impact report, supporting over $1 million in community grants to 53 organizations this year.

Hornby Island Housing Society improves senior housing – Comox Valley Record

High-efficiency heat pumps add comfort and affordability to Elder Village

Sharon Milstein, one of the seniors who live in the Elder Village, walks with JoAnn Harrison, president of the Hornby Island Housing Society.

The Hornby Island Housing Society is ensuring local seniors have affordable homes by replacing outdated propane heating systems with high-efficiency heat pumps.

Two of the 11 units at The Elder Village Hornby Island’s senior housing complex were previously heated by a propane-based system. The original system, installed in 1997, was decommissioned this spring and replaced with individual electric heat pumps.

“This transition is about more than just improved energy efficiency — it’s about security, sustainability, and affordability for our seniors,” said JoAnn Harrison, president of the Hornby Island Housing Society. “Heat pumps also have the highest impact on our residents—who pay for their own heat.”

The benefits are wide-reaching. The new heat pumps are expected to significantly lower heating bills — offering vital savings for seniors on fixed incomes. The units also provide air conditioning, which is increasingly essential as climate change brings hotter summers.

“The tenants are thrilled,” Harrison said. “The heat pumps have increased their comfort and lowered their annual costs.”

The Elder Village is home to 11 seniors and plays a valuable role in a community with very few affordable year-round rentals.

The Society currently has what Harrison describes as a “dauntingly long” waitlist of seniors seeking accommodation, many of whom face mobility challenges and require accessible, single-level homes like those offered at the Village.

Though other housing options occasionally become available, few on Hornby are truly suitable for seniors. Many homes rely on wood heat, lack proper plumbing or cooking facilities, or are simply unaffordable.

The Village offers the opposite: well- maintained, fully equipped homes with electric heating, running water, and garbage and recycling pickup — all on beautifully landscaped grounds designed for aging in place.

A 2022 Community First study conducted by the Housing Society confirmed the growing shortage of affordable rentals on the island — especially for seniors, which made up more than 44 per cent of the population in 2021, according to Statistics Canada.

“In a small community like ours, every rental unit matters,” said Harrison.

“This upgrade isn’t just a renovation — it’s a lifeline. It ensures our seniors can continue to live safely and affordably — without having to leave the island they call home.”

For more information, visit Hornby Island Housing Society.

One of the 11 rental units on the Elder Village.

Browse more stories and reports. This story, and many others, are featured in Stronger Together our 2025 impact report, supporting over $1 million in community grants to 53 organizations this year.