The Victoria Foundation team members are well-versed in setting philanthropy records, whether for the amount of donations received or funds distributed. The trend continues for 2024 as the Foundation distributes a record $6.194 million through the Vital Stream of its Community Grants Program.
The grants will help and represent an incredible 26 per cent funding increase compared to 2023. This is attributed in part to the one-time $1.3-million allocation from the Community Prosperity Fund, part of a one-time B.C. Government investment in the province's non-profit sector.
By providing flexible, general operating funding, the Community Grants Program strengthens philanthropic organizations, helping them meet the growing need for services, while .
Three-quarters of the grants help address the communityB次元官网网址檚 needs around poverty reduction and social inclusion, supporting organizations or projects that significantly benefit equity-deserving populations including Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, 2SLGBTQIA+, women, children and youth, persons with disabilities and newcomers.
B次元官网网址淲ith this funding, the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society pioneers a transformative initiative merging three vital programs to combat profound challenges: food insecurity, culturally sensitive mental health for racialized women, and youth leadership development for immigrants and refugees in Greater Victoria,B次元官网网址� says the society's Ava Shabestari.
The initiative B次元官网网址渆nriches lives, highlights our communityB次元官网网址檚 resilience and our shared commitment to equity and empowerment.B次元官网网址�
The Victoria Chinatown Museum Society is using its community grant to preserve VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 Chinese heritage for future generations by creating a strategic communication plan to share the community's stories with more people.
B次元官网网址淭he impact of this grant will be far reaching, creating more opportunities to share intergenerational lived experiences of Chinese Canadians along with information and resources for all communities to learn together,B次元官网网址� says society chair, Dr. Grace Wong Sneddon.
The 2024 Community Grants Program has two grant streams B次元官网网址� the Vital Stream and the Collaboration Stream B次元官网网址� now with separate intake timelines. Applications for the Collaboration stream will now be accepted this fall B次元官网网址� watch for more details later this summer.
Funding from the Government of BCB次元官网网址檚 Community Prosperity Fund will also be included in the grants from the Collaboration Stream.
The Victoria Foundation works closely with generous donors to fund the Community Grants program, with most of the $ 6.194 million coming from funds held and managed at the Foundation.
Beyond the government's Community Prosperity Fund, grant money also comes from donor-advised funds and Community Action Funds, where individuals can donate directly to issue areas including housing, health and wellness, food security and more.
Established in 1936, the manages charitable 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 Foundation has invested more than $340 million to strengthen communities in B.C. and throughout Canada.