Community foundations recognize FCU Community Financial and Vancity’s commitment to lasting local impact
Community foundation representatives from across coastal and island communities gathered at the Comox Valley Community Foundation on November 9 to celebrate a $250,000 investment by FCU Community Financial and Vancity in the communities they serve.
The gathering brought together community foundation leaders, branch managers and other credit union representatives to recognize the Community First Investment Initiative and the local relationships behind it.
“This investment comes at a time when the gap between community needs and available funding is deeply felt,” said Jolean Finnerty, Executive Director of the Comox Valley Community Foundation, which hosted the gathering. “Here in the Comox Valley, requests to our community granting programs far exceed what we can fund. Behind those requests are people working to ensure their neighbours have food, connection, accessible services and opportunities to participate in community life.”
Announced in October, the initiative supports seven community foundations and funds serving the Comox Valley, qathet region, Bowen Island, Hornby Island, Texada Island, Bowser and Cortes Island.
“Our branches have been part of these communities for generations, and our connection to the people who live here runs deep,” said Caitlin Bryant, Impact Manager, Community Banking at FCU Community Financial. “Working with community foundations helps us carry that commitment forward, putting resources in the hands of local leaders who understand their communities and are invested in their future.”
The investment includes:
- $60,000 to the Comox Valley Community Foundation.
- $30,000 to the Hornby Island Community Fund, held by the Comox Valley Community Foundation.
- $55,000 to the Powell River Community Foundation.
- $35,000 to the Bowen Island Community Foundation.
- $25,000 to the Texada Island Named Fund, held by the Powell River Community Foundation.
- $25,000 to the Bowser Community Fund, held by the Parksville Qualicum Community Foundation.
- $20,000 to the Cortes Island Community Foundation.
Community foundations connect charitable giving with local knowledge, helping donors support priorities identified within their communities. By building resources close to home, they help sustain community organizations and respond as needs change.
“This investment brings together FCU’s longstanding community relationships and Vancity’s capacity to help those relationships grow,” said Wellington Holbrook, President and CEO of Vancity. “We’re proud to support community foundations that keep local priorities at the heart of their work and build resources that will benefit these communities for years to come.”
The November 9 celebration recognized both the financial contribution and a shared commitment to the future of coastal, rural and island communities.
“Across our regions, we share a commitment to helping local generosity make a lasting difference,” said Finnerty. “An investment like this strengthens our ability to support that work over time. It also demonstrates the role businesses can play alongside community foundations in caring for the places where their employees and members live.”
Community foundation representatives, FCU Community Financial staff and guests celebrate a $250,000 investment by FCU Community Financial and Vancity supporting seven coastal and island communities.
