$862,700 in Grants to Non-Profits

NEWS RELEASE – For Immediate Release

Victoria Foundation Grants $862,700 to Vancouver Island Non-Profit Organizations

Victoria, BC, Dec. 13, 2012 – Just in time for the Holiday Season, the Victoria Foundation has approved $862,700 in grants to 56 non-profit organizations on Vancouver Island.  This brings to over $9.3 million the amount awarded by the foundation so far this year and over $116 million awarded since the foundation’s establishment in 1936.

“Each year we have the pleasure of inviting and reviewing grant requests from the many wonderful non-profit organizations in our communities,” noted Victoria Foundation CEO Sandra Richardson.  “We’re thrilled to be able to help support such a fantastic variety of projects. Our thanks go to all of the applicants, advisors, committee members, donors and Board Members for their enthusiastic participation in this busy cycle of our 2012 Community Grants.”

One of the largest individual grants awarded – $42,500 – is to Saanich Neighbourhood Place.  The funding will allow them to add additional child care services to their Full of Beans preschool, set to open in September 2013, including 20 half-day preschool places, 25 full-time spaces and 8 infant toddler spaces.  “This funding has provided real validation for our dream,” enthused Saanich Neighbourhood Place Executive Director Colleen Hobson. “Not only will it allow us to move forward with this next phase of our project, but we can also use it to leverage additional funds and public opinion for further initiatives.  Thank you, thank you, thank you Victoria Foundation!” 

The Victoria Foundation’s Community Grants have ties to Victoria’s Vital Signs, an annual community report card produced by the Victoria Foundation and sponsored by Island Savings Credit Union.  All of the grants have a focus on one or more issue areas identified in the report, including Arts & Culture, Getting Started, Standard of Living, Learning, Belonging & Leadership, Safety, Transportation, Housing, Environment, and Health & Wellness.

Selected highlights from the 56 recent grants include $10,000 to Steps to the Future Child Care Society in Sooke, $10,000 to Peninsula Streams Society, $14,862 to the Together Against Poverty Society, and $6,400 to the YM-YWCA of Greater Victoria. 

A full list and description of all 56 projects funded is available at victoriafoundation.bc.ca

The foundation is expecting to approve its final round of grants for 2012 later this month.

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Background: 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. Established in 1936, the Victoria Foundation is Canada’s second oldest community foundation and the sixth largest of 183. To date it has invested more than $116 million in people, projects and non-profit organizations that strengthen communities in B.C. and across Canada. Read more about the Victoria Foundation’s vision and mandate.

Attachment:  2012 Community Grants – Full List.

For more information, please contact:

Robert Janus
Communications, Victoria Foundation
250.381.5532 ext. #227        Cell 250.886.6112
email: rjanus@victoriafoundation.bc.ca
victoriafoundation.bc.ca