The First West Foundation, through its Island Savings Community Endowment, is granting $120,000 this year – a total of 11 grants – to deserving charities throughout Vancouver Island and the Southern Gulf Islands.

In total, $684,700 is being dispersed across the province through the Foundation’s regional community endowments representing First West Credit Union’s four local brands— Island Savings, Envision Financial, Valley First and Enderby & District Financial.

This year, First West Foundation placed an increased emphasis on ensuring grants aligned with its six Sustainable Development Goals— no poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, quality education, reduced inequalities, and partnerships for the goals.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are 17 interconnected global goals developed by the global community to provide a holistic and ambitious roadmap for private, public and non-profit organizations to work together to address a multitude of global challenges. Additionally, First West Foundation continues its journey into trust-based philanthropy this year.

“Our team embraces trust-based philanthropy principles, and one way we’ve implemented this is by providing multi-year commitments to our community partners,” says Susan Byrom, Executive Director of the First West Foundation.

"By providing grant funds over an extended period, we empower our partners to plan and execute longer-term projects without the constraints of short-term funding uncertainty."

Trust-based philanthropy recognizes the importance of flexible, unrestricted resources to allow grantees to allocate funds according to their priorities and respond dynamically to emerging needs.

This approach supports stability, encourages innovation, and enables strategic planning for positive impact.

Since 2016, the Island Savings Community Endowment has provided 179 grants totalling $1,361,625 in funding.

Here is the complete list of organizations receiving a grant in 2024:
 
$120,000 and 11 grants distributed through Impact, Capacity and SOAR grant streams. 

    •    $90,000 in Impact grants awarded to eight charities
    •    $20,000 in Capacity grants awarded to two charities
    •    $10,000 SOAR grant awarded to one charity

IMPACT GRANTS 

Impact Grants are unrestricted grants, investing in an organization’s operations, programs, projects, or services. 

Multi-year commitments:

Salt Spring Island Farmland Trust Salt Spring Island, $15,000

Grow Local Collective is an Island wide community food growing and sharing mobilization. Grow Local Collective will support growers to crop plan, organize growing work parties, build native edible plant gardens, and glean leftover food from orchards throughout the growing season.
   
Mothers Against Drunk Drivers –MADD Island Savings Region, $5,000 

School Assembly Program teaches youth in grades 7-12 new information including the consequences of impaired driving, alternatives to driving impaired and to plan to call 911 if they see a suspected impaired driver.

Take a Hike Foundation – Nanaimo, $10,000 

Supports a program for vulnerable youth including intensive clinical counselling, outdoor wilderness trips, and community engagement activities from September to June, for up to 20 youth ages 15-18 based in and around Nanaimo.

2024 Recipients:

Nanaimo Community Kitchen Society Nanaimo, $15,000

Cooking Out of The Box connects people with resources related to healthy food and nutrition through virtual and in-person cooking workshops. Health Cooking Kits are also educational and provide an opportunity for capacity building and food literacy at home and in our local schools.   

Ladysmith Family and Friends (LAFF) Ladysmith, $15,000

Building Resilient Families program will support the operational costs of a food equity/volunteer coordinator. COVID highlighted the need to expand LaFF’s food equity/food security program, specifically to have more staff focused on this critical program. LaFF relies heavily on volunteers to source, acquire, process, and distribute nutritional food bags, meal kits, and prepared meals to families with children aged 0 – 6 living in poverty or suffering due to economic difficulties.

Nanaimo Men’s Centre Nanaimo, $15,000 

Face to face and virtual sessions supporting The Men’s Centre’s core activities including counselling, workshops, crisis intervention, and the Boots to Suits program.

The Circle Salt Spring Island Salt Spring Island, $10,000

The Pass it on Boys program supports boys in grades 8+ to connect with one another and with facilitators to develop self-confidence, build empathy, and foster positive relationships and community connections. The PIOB program offers a physically active, strength-based mentorship model for addressing important topics and practicing valuable skills. 

Operation Freedom Paws Island Savings Region, $5,000

Veteran Canine Program transforms the lives of veterans and other clients suffering from PTSD and depression. Funding will allow Operation Freedom Paws to extend the hours of the Trauma Counselor.

CAPACITY GRANTS   

Capacity grants are restricted grants to provide organizations with financial resources to pursue education, professional development, training, and infrastructure enhancements.

Greater Victoria Citizens Counselling Centre Victoria, $10,000

Data Base Upgrade – Funding will allow GVCCC to upgrade the ACCESS database for volunteer counselors. This new technology will result in a more user-friendly service for both our clients and our volunteer counsellors. 

Victoria Brain Injury Society Victoria, $10,000

Succession and Strategic Planning – In support of a vital succession planning initiative, ensuring a seamless leadership transition, and fostering long-term organizational stability. As our current Executive Director approaches retirement, this two-year strategic plan involves providing comprehensive leadership training. 

SOAR GRANTS

SOAR launched in 2023 to support and partner with those committed to equity deserving organizations, and racialized groups, including and not limited to people who identify as Black, Brown, Indigenous and/or as a person of colour in communities served by First West Credit Union. 

Vancouver Island Counselling Centre for Immigrants & Refugees Association Victoria, $10,000

Mental Health Counselling Support for refugees and immigrants of all ages, genders, abilities, citizenship status, education and income levels, ethnicities, and beliefs. Individuals, couples, and families are eligible for service from experienced registered clinical counsellors who have received additional training in intercultural trauma treatment.