Skip to content

$275K in grants available through Comox Valley Community Foundation

Grant applications will be accepted until Sept. 23
26487430_web1_210922-CVR-N-CVCFgrants-1_1
2021 Community Enrichment Grant recipient, Cumberland Community School Society, received funds to adapt programs and operations in response to the ongoing pandemic. Pictured: Sue Loveless, Thea Cockerton and Kate Ashton. Photo supplied

The Comox Valley Community Foundation is making $275,000 available in the form of grants for registered charities and not-for-profit organizations in 2021-2022.

“We have taken a very deliberate approach to our granting program this year – the pandemic has exacerbated the inequities experienced by many in our community, and we plan to add our support and voice to the many organizations working to address these complex issues,” said CVCF president Christine Helpard. “Our intent is to direct our community’s funds where they are most needed, and we are thankful for the honest and forthright advice we received from individuals who are witnessing first-hand the immense challenges our most vulnerable neighbours continue to face. We are also committed to incorporating principles of community-based decisions and trust-based philanthropy within our granting program.”

Earlier this summer, CVCF hosted conversations with representatives from local charitable and not-for-profit organizations to understand their needs and priorities for the coming year, as well as to hear their thoughts on the major issues facing the community as a whole. In response to what it heard, CVCF will be adopting a four-pronged approach to granting for 2021-2022:

• $75,000 to address housing insecurity and homelessness

• $20,000 to assist with charitable/not-for-profit sector development and sustainability

• $50,000 to support recreation and social programming for adults with diverse abilities

• $130,000 directed to Community Enrichment Grants.

Housing insecurity, housing affordability, and homelessness were identified as the most important issues facing our community at this time. To that end, CVCF is committing $75,000 to address housing insecurity and is working with the Comox Valley Coalition to End Homelessness to identify a process to best tackle this issue. Information on this process will be available in the coming weeks.

CVCF also heard that charitable and not-for-profit organizations continue to struggle as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the charitable sector, as a whole, is in need of training and development for staff and board members. CVCF is committing $20,000 to support a series of training opportunities beginning October 2021, as well as the resources to organize the training and co-ordinate informal gatherings to promote the sharing of information and collaboration within the sector.

CVCF is committing $50,000 to support recreation and social programming for adults with diverse abilities. The Developmental Disabilities Fund was established in 2013 to promote the well-being and enrich the lives of adults with diverse abilities living in the Comox Valley. That fund now realizes over $30,000 in income annually and CVCF has contributed additional funds to bring the total amount available to $50,000. Grant amounts will be determined by the organizations that deliver recreation and social programming for this adult population.

Finally, $130,000 will be available through CVCF’s regular Community Enrichment Grant program. Applications will be accepted through September 23, 2021. As mentioned above, grant requests related to housing insecurity and support for individuals who are unsheltered, as well as for social and recreation programming for adults with diverse abilities will be addressed outside of this granting process. Visit www.cvcfoundation.org/grants/community-enrichment­ grants/ for more information and to apply.