DUNCAN, B.C. – The First West Foundation, through its Island Savings Community Endowment, is granting $109,950 this year— a total of 14 grants— to deserving charities throughout Vancouver Island and the Southern Gulf Islands.
Grants from this fund are aimed at promoting resilient and sustainable Island communities.
Here are the organizations receiving grants:
- 1000 x 5 Children’s Book Recycling Project Society
- Literacy Now Cowichan Society
- Greater Victoria Eldercare Foundation
- Stigma- Free Society
- Take A Hike Youth at Risk Foundation
- Ladysmith Family and Friends Society
- Nanaimo Child Development Centre Society
- Nanaimo Community Kitchens
- SWOVA Community Development and Research Society
- NEED2
- Victoria Disability Resource Centre
- Victoria Restorative Justice Society
- Vancouver Island Providence Community Assoc.
- Connection’s Place Society
2020 has proved a be a historic year of giving for the Foundation, the philanthropic arm of First West Credit Union and all its divisions— Island Savings, Envision Financial, Valley First and Enderby & District Financial. Highlights include:
- $687,620 donated through annual endowments to local non-profits where First West Credit Union operates
- $431,005 set aside for additional granting needs in 2020 as needed
- $1 million for First West’s Community Response Fund, launched to support local charities through the pandemic
In total, the First West Foundation has gifted over $2.1 million to local non-profits in 2020—the highest amount in its history.
“The credit union mantra has always been about neighbour helping neighbour and this year has highlighted that even more for us,” says Susan Byrom, executive director of the First West Foundation. “Our communities need us right now and, we couldn’t be prouder to see First West stepping up in the community to help these vital organizations continue the incredible work they do.”
Since 2016, the Island Savings Community Endowment has provided $422,762 in grant funding for 75 projects.
Click here to view details on the organizations and programming receiving grants in 2020.