The Victoria FoundationB次元官网网址檚 is celebrating a record year of grants distributed to local non-profits this summer B次元官网网址� funds that will help in vital work ranging from food security and housing to youth mental health and the arts.
Earlier this month, the Foundation announced $4.899 million in funding to 199 organizations in the Capital Region. This represents 13 per cent more funding than 2022, and double what was available in 2018.
A 2023 Vital Grant for the Quadra Village Community Centre Housing Outreach Program will help provide one-to-one housing support to individuals and couples facing the immense challenge of needing to secure housing, for example. The Island Metis Family and Community Services SocietyB次元官网网址檚 grant will help provide nutritious meals, youth nutrition and cooking education and more.
As organizations try to do more with less, it couldnB次元官网网址檛 be more important.
In May, the Foundation, Vantage Point and its partners released the report that identified the challenges organizations face in trying to answer the increasing need for their services amid staffing concerns and rising costs.
The Community Grants Program is one way to help address these challenges, providing flexible, general operating funding designed to strengthen the charitable sector and long-term resilience of the community.
In addition, three of four grants will support 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次元官网网址淭here are significant pressures on our region, including the non-profit sector, and the Community Grants funding will help many organizations better meet these challenges,B次元官网网址� says Victoria FoundationB次元官网网址檚 CEO Sandra Richardson.
Most of the $4.899 million distributed came from funds held and managed at the Victoria Foundation, where donors have given the Foundation the discretion to distribute annual grants. The remainder comes from donor-advised funds and Community Action Funds that allow individuals to donate directly to issue-areas such as housing, health and wellness, food security and more.
Learn more about the Community Grants Program .
Taking the Pulse of the community
While itB次元官网网址檚 essential to shine a light on local issues needing support, itB次元官网网址檚 equally important to celebrate the regionB次元官网网址檚 many successes B次元官网网址� successes made possible by individuals and organizations working to improve the community.
This month, the Victoria FoundationB次元官网网址檚 Pulse magazine explores a decade of highlights as well as a closer look at whatB次元官网网址檚 making news today B次元官网网址� how the Foundation and others are working to build on the findings in the annual .
The feature story explores the power of community economies, examining the Shorefast Initiative pilot project led by Zita Cobb from Fogo Island in partnership with the South Island Prosperity Partnership. Others highlight a transformational gift to supportive housing for women and youth, and how students at a local middle school are learning to paddle canoes and connect with Indigenous culture.
Pick up a copy of Pulse at locations around Greater Victoria, or .