DUNCAN, B.C- Over four weeks, donations are being distributed by Island Savings, a division of First West Credit Union, to organizations that help our local businesses keep growing. These gifts of support are part of Island Savings’ year of Simple Generosity, in which $1 million is being distributed to individuals, families, non-profits and businesses throughout BC. In their final round of donations, entitled “Good for Business,” Island Savings is focusing on entrepreneurs in the communities they serve.
“We talk to our business members every day and while many feel more positive about future prospects, they remain entangled by the financial and resource constraints brought by the pandemic,” says Kendall Gross, president of Island Savings. “Within our Simple Generosity program, we are boosting their opportunities to access education, resources, mentorship and other forms of support by funding programs that help owners grow and run a thriving business.”
Instead of choosing only a few businesses to receive direct funding, Island Savings is instead making donations to organizations that can reach many more local businesses through their programs and services. Recipients include: Women’s Enterprise Centre, Community Futures BC, VIATEC, and Innovation Island.
With a $30,000 donation, the Women’s Enterprise Centre will be able to improve access to education on topics like financing, increasing resiliency, and scaling a business for female entrepreneurs and business owners in our community.
“This donation will enable us to connect with more women to offer them financing and support for their small businesses,” says Jill Earthy, CEO of Women’s Enterprise Centre. “As a non-profit organization that supports women entrepreneurs as they start, lead, and grow their businesses, we are thrilled to be able to support more women entrepreneurs through economic recovery.”
Island Savings is sharing the individual stories of all their Good for Business recipient on their Facebook, LinkedIn page and Instagram account, where you can read further insights from the organizations receiving Simple Generosity donations.