104 Local Charities Receive $2.3M in Grants from Victoria Foundation
Latest grants bring total for the year to record $20 Million
Victoria, BC – Just in time for the holidays, the Victoria Foundation has approved a record high $2,294,724.40 in annual Community Grants to 104 non-profit organizations on Vancouver Island.
The region’s largest non-government funder, the Victoria Foundation has awarded over $20 million so far this year and over $196 million since the Foundation began in 1936.
“Each year, we see such a diversity of amazing projects that apply for our Community Grants,” said Victoria Foundation CEO Sandra Richardson. “From tackling the opioid crisis, to supporting single parents, fostering environmental stewardship, to 25 different arts and culture projects, the range is incredible. Our congratulations go to all of the recipients and our thanks also go to all of the committee members, donors and Board Members whose enthusiastic participation makes these grants possible.”
Supported by the Foundation’s Vital Victoria Fund, Community Grants are awarded each December. Individual donors and fund holders also contribute significantly, this year providing almost $800,000 of the total $2.3 million. The Victoria Foundation Board has established food security and homelessness as the three-year strategic granting priorities for the Vital Victoria Fund. The latest grants include such funding as $15,000 for the Victoria Native Friendship Centre supporting their youth leadership programming in Indigenous food knowledge, to $35,000 for the Salt Spring Island Farmland Trust Society’s Food Hub supporting sustainable local food production.
“We want to thank the Victoria Foundation for this grant and their continued recognition of the work we do in the community,” said Bruce Parisian, Executive Director of Victoria Native Friendship Centre. “This funding will be directed towards the cultural teachings of harvesting and preparing traditional foods to urban Indigenous youth through our Youth Leadership Program. The revitalization of Indigenous food systems and knowledge are essential to the preservation of the cultural identities and self-esteem of these young people, and empowers them to live healthier cultural lifestyles. This contributes to the wellbeing, sense of belonging, and health of our people.”
“The Salt Spring Island Farmland Trust is very grateful to the Victoria Foundation for this grant and their continued commitment to Food Security in the capital region,” noted Patricia Reichert from Salt Spring Island Farmland Trust Society. “It is so important to building our new local food centre, both in terms of the funds it provides, and the support it brings for local food development in the region. Our food centre is a model of infrastructure for storing, processing, and advancing local food education and training. The whole community is excited that we’ll have a focal point for significantly increasing food sustainability and robust community resilience for our children and the future.”
Community Grants have ties to Victoria’s Vital Signs®, an annual community report card produced by the Victoria Foundation and sponsored by Coast Capital Savings. All the grants have a connection to one or more of the 12 issue areas identified in the report that contribute to the vitality and wellbeing of our community: Arts & Culture, Getting Started, Standard of Living, Learning, Belonging & Engagement, Safety, Sports & Recreation, Economy, Transportation, Housing, Environment, and Health & Wellness.
A full list and description of all 104 projects funded is available here.
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Background
Established in 1936, the Victoria Foundation is Canada’s second oldest community foundation and the sixth largest of nearly 200 nation-wide. The Victoria Foundation manages charitable gifts from donors whose generosity allows them to create permanent, income-earning funds. The proceeds from these funds are then distributed as grants for charitable or educational purposes. To date the Victoria Foundation has invested more than $196 million in people, projects and non-profit organizations that strengthen communities in BC and throughout Canada.
Media contact:
Robert Janus, Director of Communications
Victoria Foundation
250.381.5532 C. 250.886.6112 E. rjanus@victoriafoundation.bc.ca