Helping our communities thrive
Welcome
We create impact for local charities through grant-making programs and partnerships
First West Foundation cares for the well-being of people by providing support in communities served by First West Credit Union and its regional divisions, Envision Financial, Valley First, Island Savings, and Enderby & District Financial.
By amplifying the generosity of our donors, we’re able to do more to support our local CRA-registered partners. Through impact and capacity grants, we’re helping solve some of the most challenging and complex social issues in our communities. We start from a belief in building relationships based on trust and mutual respect, and we work together to create a ripple effect that strengthens our communities and helps everyone thrive.
Our grant commitment
We believe in the principles of Trust-based Philanthropy—it’s at the core of what we do. If your organization operates in a community supported by one of our regional endowments, we want to help you build a brighter tomorrow.
Our Impact Grants help organizations meet their greatest needs. These unrestricted dollars support operational expenses, programs and service delivery.
A Capacity Grant may offer resources for growing your organization and initiatives like strategic planning, professional development or volunteer training. Let us help you reach your goals.
Granting
We amplify the generosity of our donors through grant-making
Enderby Financial Community Endowment
Founded in 2014, the Enderby Financial Community Endowment supports projects for the community of Enderby and Area F of the North Okanagan Regional District.
Envision Financial Community Endowment
The Foundation’s first and largest endowment, established in 1996, generates annual grants for charities serving the communities of Envision Financial, which include Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Delta, Hope, Kitimat, Langley, Maple Ridge, Mission, and Surrey.
Island Savings Community Endowment
Established in 2016, and supports organizations serving communities in the Island Savings region, including Brentwood Bay, Chemainus, Duncan, Lake Cowichan, Mill Bay, Nanaimo, Victoria, and Salt Spring Island.
Valley First Community Endowment
Established in 2012 to support charities in the Okanagan, Thompson, and Similkameen regions, which includes the communities of Armstrong, Kamloops, Kelowna, West Kelowna, Keremeos, Oliver, Penticton, Princeton, and Vernon.
Community endowments across B.C.:
Our 2024 impact
We partner with local charities to make a positive, lasting impact in communities served by First West Credit Union
Through 18 endowments and our charitable giving campaign, we helped build capacity in our communities.
Through partnership, 100 charities across B.C. received support to reach their goals.
Our team members are personally invested in making an impact through payroll giving.
Read more about our impactDonors make the difference
With so many ways to give, we help you choose the type of support that makes a difference to the causes that matter most to you. Learn about options to give monthly, start your own charitable fund, leave a bequest, or support your favourite organization and start making your impact today!
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