The Comox Valley Community Foundation (CVCF) hosted a virtual community celebration on January 27th to recognize recent grant recipients and the work undertaken by the many non-profit organizations in our community in support of children and youth, seniors, the environment, adults with diverse abilities, arts and culture, and our community’s most vulnerable residents.
32 organizations and projects received close to $375,000, with a strong focus on the larger systemic issues facing our community, such as housing insecurity and homelessness, food insecurity, addictions, and early years development.
As part of this year’s granting program, many of the decisions were made by the organizations themselves, as part of CVCF’s efforts to shift decision-making and power to our community. The work done by these community decision-making tables has provided CVCF with a model of success for moving forward.
“During this fiscal year CVCF will distribute over $750,000 in the form of grants and scholarships. We are very proud of this achievement, but we know more work and money is needed as many worthy and deserving projects were not funded,” said Christine Helpard, CVCF’s President. “We are incredibly thankful to the individuals and organizations who directly serve our community and are pleased to be considered a partner as, together, we work to change systems and change outcomes.”
As part of the celebration, attendees heard from several organizations and individuals, who spoke of their programs and services and the impact of their work for our community. The Comox Valley Early Years Collaborative’s Building Connections project shared highlights of their work in the north Courtenay area, which is bringing neighbours and families together around children’s play and common interests. Vancouver Island Society for Adaptive Snowsports shared experiences from the perspectives of both instructor and student about their program which offers ski instruction (alpine and nordic) for people with physical disabilities and cognitive challenges. Vickey Brown spoke of her experience applying for and receiving a Neighbourhood Small Grant to create a pollinator pathway in her Cumberland neighbourhood. The Walk with Me team described their community action approach and provided hope for change in relation to the ongoing toxic drug poisoning crisis. The Comox Valley Hospice Society shared information on their programs and volunteers, including their upcoming move to their new facility as they work to ease the journey of dying and grieving.
The list of grant recipients follows:
Since 1996, CVCF has awarded $5 million to over 175 local non-profits and 250 students in the form of grants and scholarships. 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-evolving needs and priorities of our residents. For further information about how you can help build our community’s fund, please visit www.cvcfoundation.org or call 250-338-8444.
