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.
