2025 GRANTEES

Multi-year grants

Grantees entered into a two or three-year commitment with First West Foundation in 2024 and 2023 respectively.

Enderby and District Community Resource Centre, Enderby, $19,871
The largest service delivery charity serving Enderby and area, funding supports operational costs of the Outreach/Referral Community Support Worker. This liaison role is fundamental to the wellbeing of residents as it provides direct support to families in the community offering intense parenting and life skills support, referrals, crisis intervention, and short-term counseling.

Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD), Enderby, $3,000
Youth are disproportionally affected by impaired driving—in 2021, young drivers aged 16-24 accounted for 23% of all impaired driving incidents in Canada. The School Assembly Program keeps kids safe, empowering youth in grades 7-12 with a presentation that vividly illustrates the consequences of impaired driving. The program is delivered to AL Fortune students.

IMPACT GRANTS

Unrestricted grants to support an organization’s greatest need.

A.L. Fortune Secondary School, Enderby, $15,000
Providing after school activities for their community, AL Fortune will run a minimum of three programs, engaging more than 40 students in each program. Student participation will focus on increasing attendance by Indigenous students (38% of the school population). AL Fortune serves 370 students in its small rural community.

Kingfisher Interpretive Centre, Enderby* $10,000,
Funding will enable the Society to continue offering free educational programs to all participants, removing financial barriers to attendance. Experienced staff deliver high-quality, hands-on environmental education. Through the tireless efforts of volunteers, Kingfisher Interpretive Centre raised 50,000 Chinook salmon and offered educational programming to thousands of school children and visitors in 2024.

Literacy Alliance of the Shuswap Society, Enderby, $15,000
According to the National Summer Learning Association (USA), every year students from low-income households lose two-to-three months of their learning during the summer months. To break the cycle of low literacy levels and help close the gap for students in the North Okanagan-Shuswap school district region, LASS operates a summer program for at-risk children. The Summer Slide Reading Program fosters continued learning and educational experiences throughout the summer for approximately 100 students. Each year LASS serves over 6,500 individuals.

Literacy Alliance of the Shuswap (LASS)** Enderby & area, $26,000
The First Nations Technology Council and LASS have joined to share their commitment to enhancing digital literacy, Internet accessibility, Online Safety, and inclusion for Indigenous communities across BC. This partnership with Rise Up Indigenous ensures culturally relevant programming is developed and delivered in a meaningful way to Indigenous learners in the Shuswap.

Multi-year grants

Grantees entered into a two or three-year commitment with First West Foundation in 2023 or 2024, and all will conclude in 2025.

Delta Hospital and Community Foundation, Delta, $25,000
Building a state-of-the-art long-term care community, this new facility will replace the dated, 92 bed extended care residence at Delta Hospital built in 1977. A new 200 bed community will provide single rooms in homes and neighbourhoods with 12-13 residents in each home unit. A living room, dining room, den and kitchen space in each home unit will offer improved safety, privacy and greatly improve resident’s quality of life.

EmotionsBC Health and Wellness Society, Surrey, $25,000
The Essential Skills Program empowers individuals to navigate their mental health challenges. In 2024, EmotionsBC hosted 168 support skill sessions with 1,735 program participants, impacting 4,338 people through family relationships, and reaching people in 29 communities across B.C. The grant will help pay wages for a supervisor, coordinator and facilitator and includes program operating expenses, and volunteer support.

Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, Envision Financial region, $5,000
Youth are disproportionally affected by impaired driving—in 2021, young drivers aged 16-24 accounted for 23% of all impaired driving incidents in Canada. The School Assembly Program keeps kids safe, empowering youth in grades 7-12 with a presentation that vividly illustrates the consequences of impaired driving. In 2023-2024, this program delivered 12 presentations across the Envision Financial region, reaching more than 9,500 students.

Take a Hike Youth Foundation, North Delta, $25,000
Empowering vulnerable youth to believe in their potential and achieve success, Take a Hike supports youth with full-time mental health clinical counselling and well-being programs integrated into their school curriculum. Also included are outdoor wilderness trips and community engagement activities. Following completion of high school, an impressive 97% of youth plan to attend post-secondary education and 76% reported improved mental health and overall life satisfaction.

IMPACT GRANTS

Unrestricted grants to support an organization’s greatest need.

Abbotsford Youth Commission, Abbotsford, $25,000
The Youth Drop-In Centre offers a minimum of 27+ hours of direct service each week. In 2024, AYC welcomed 20,589 entrances to its programs. More than just a place to gather, AYC programs equip youth with the skills they need to care for themselves, build resilience, and work toward self-sufficiency. From leadership training to life skills workshops, youth are empowered to make healthy choices, develop confidence, and navigate life’s challenges. The grant will go directly toward youth worker wages and program supplies.

Association of Neighbourhood Houses Surrey/White Rock, $25,000
This funding, as part of a new larger disrupting racism project, will support the hiring of a Semiahmoo First Nation Cultural Liaison in partnership with Semiahmoo First Nation. The Cultural Liaison role will collaborate with internal teams and participate in programs, with a focus on deepening understanding of land-based learning and the Coast Salish worldview. Through these efforts, they aim to foster greater understanding by creating opportunities for people to come together, participate in learning experiences, and host Peace of the Circles to facilitate meaningful conversations about racism.

BC Agriculture in the Classroom, Abbotsford, $25,000
Classroom Growing Programs provide teachers K-12 the chance to make it easy to learn about agriculture. From “Spuds in Tubs” to “Common Ground: Strawberry Project with Indigenous Roots” as well as Harvest Bins, the program creates a positive learning environment to get growing. In 2024, the impact in agriculture and food education supported 396 classes, and 11,880 students in the Fraser Valley. BC Agriculture in the Classroom has partnered with Food Banks BC to deliver fresh, local produce to 1,477 schools, serving 8.5 million portions annually, generating $3-$10 in economic returns through increased lifetime earnings, job creation and healthcare savings.

BeMorr Society Mental Health and Suicide Awareness, Abbotsford, $25,000
The Mental Wellness Program supports enhancing access to counselling services, first aid training sessions, and peer support groups. BeMorr Society supported over 750 counselling sessions in 2024. Funding will reduce wait times, improve access to services, and expand partnerships with more contracted counsellors in additional communities. It will also support program administration, marketing, and awareness efforts.

Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention, Provincial, $25,000
Project funding supports the development of a sustainable, equitable mental health and suicide prevention system across the province, benefiting all British Columbians. Marginalized groups—including Indigenous Peoples, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those with disabilities—face greater challenges accessing care. This initiative will improve access to culturally appropriate support. In 2024, their self-care and wellness programs reach over 8,000 BC youth.

Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver, Delta and Surrey $25,000
The Elizabeth Fry Society supports vulnerable and marginalized women, children and families through housing, advocacy and wraparound services. Funding will support and expand the Reach Home program in Delta and Surrey. An increase in staff capacity will better address the complex and urgent needs, including homelessness, mental health resources and employment supports. In 2024, Elizabeth Fry supported 15,693 individuals, including 2,418 children.

Feels like Home Newcomers Society, Surrey, $25,000
Programs are dedicated to supporting newcomer refugee families as they rebuild their lives in Canada. Through the Foundations Language and Life Skills Program (with tandem early years support for parents), and additional programs including community outreach, parenting sessions, community orientation, and afterschool programming, participants are offered no-cost, holistic, wraparound services that meet both immediate and long-term needs. In 2024, FLH welcomed 249 refugee newcomers, held 235 hours of language classes, delivered 576 boxes of groceries and rescued 36,171 pounds of food.

Food for the Soul Project Society, Maple Ridge, Abbotsford, $25,000
Dedicated to supporting individuals in recovery from addiction and mental health challenges through a comprehensive approach, this grant will increase support with food deliveries, assisting clients to important medical appointments, and providing workshops on financial literacy, mental health, and healthy living. Over 200 individuals receive support through the existing housing project and outpatient treatment program.

Fraser Region Community Justice Initiatives, Langley, $20,000
CJI’s Restorative Action Program serves both students and staff across the Langley School District equipping them with effective conflict resolution skills. Fostering a restorative atmosphere, schools are becoming healthier and more productive places which benefits the whole community. Students develop strong self-esteem as they learn and grow without fear, take responsibility for their actions, and mature into responsible adults with a strong sense of values. In 2024, CJI’s Action Plan supported 1,600 students in the Langley School District.

HeadsUp Guys, Envision Financial region, $25,000
HeadsUpGuys supports men’s mental health in a positive, inclusive, and mutually supportive way with and for people of all backgrounds, regardless of gender, race, or sexual orientation. An online resource, the grant will support the ongoing maintenance and further development of the HeadsUpGuys Therapist Directory, the world’s only therapist directory focused specifically on supporting the mental health care of men. In 2024, a total of 4,350 users in Envision Financial communities accessed the directory with 5,782 connections facilitated to HeadsUpGuys and therapists, thus emphasizing its unique role as a conduit for men to access life-saving professional help.

Heron Hospice Society, Delta, $20,000
A provider of compassionate care and support to people with life-limiting illness and their families, the Society seeks to expand and strengthen community education efforts surrounding grief and bereavement. Serving approximately 2,450 individuals each year, the grant will be used to develop comprehensive educational sessions on death and loss, facilitate targeted support groups, and create accessible informational materials in both paper and digital formats.

Kitimat General Hospital Foundation, Kitimat, $25,000
CT Scanner for Kitimat General Hospital.

L.I.N.C. (Long-term Inmates Now in the Community), Mission, $25,000
Emma’s Acres is a thriving sustainable agriculture system supporting local food security in the District of Mission. Proceeds from the farm are sold at farmers’ markets in Mission, to local non-profits, stores and restaurants as well as being donated to local food programs and the food bank. LINC uses the principles of transformative justice, equity, community and diversity to assist offenders who are accountable for their actions, to safely reintegrate back into society after years of being inside prison. LINC gives individuals opportunities to give back to the community whereby prisoners travel to the farm on various forms of conditional release. Incarcerated participants receive employable skills, community, an opportunity to provide community service and receive hands-on learning experiences. Approximately 1,500 people are impacted by LINC every year.

Langley Meals on Wheels, Aldergrove, $25,000
Continuing its support of Langley Meals on Wheel’s (LMOW) meals programs, social enterprise and Hub model, these funds will help LMOW expand their freezer capacity and provide infrastructure needs for their new demonstration kitchen. These investments enable an increase in food programming to meet the ongoing need in the community. In 2024, LMOW delivered 65,570 hot meals to 2,763 individuals, and realized an increase of 372 new clients over the previous year.

LIFE Recovery Association, Abbotsford $25,000 
Life Recovery Association empowers women to break free from addiction through a comprehensive support system that includes dedicated staff, volunteers, a physician, and connections to community resources such as AA and NA meetings. Their holistic approach focuses on emotional, physical, social, mental, and spiritual wellbeing, guiding clients to understand and address the underlying causes of addiction. Deeply committed to supporting each woman on her journey to recovery, Life Recovery Association has assisted more than 2,000 women to-date.

M2/W2, Abbotsford, $25,000
No One Leaves Alone Program (NOLA) delivers vital post-prison support, helping individuals transition successfully by linking them with essential resources and fostering meaningful relationships. Acting as a bridge between incarceration and reintegration, NOLA guides participants through five key areas: housing, health, employment, education, and relationships. To date, 107 people have received guidance from 70 prison mentors through the Prison Mentorship program. Through the NOLA program, 62 individuals have secured stable housing, found employment, and reconnected with their families.

Mackie’s Place Youth Social House, Surrey, $50,000
Mackie’s Pie Club, an initiative connected to Mackie’s Place, aims to create meaningful job opportunities for vulnerable youth by providing them with practical employment skills, boosting their confidence, and offering supportive mentorship in an authentic culinary setting. Through the Pie Kitchen, participants gain direct baking experience, develop customer service skills, and learn about operating within a social enterprise, helping them acquire both technical know

Mission Community Services – Dunsmuir Neighbourhood Association, Mission, $25,000 
This grant will support the development of the recently established multicultural community garden, offering an inclusive environment for gardeners of all ages and skill levels throughout the Fraser Valley. The initiative emphasizes education, accessibility, and community engagement, and is undertaken in collaboration with partners including the City of Mission and its Wellness Strategy.  In 2024, the growing season cultivated enough produce to support 150 community members throughout the seasons and contribute surplus harvests to the Mission Community Services Society’s food pantry.

Mission Literacy in Motion, Mission $3,000
More than 1,000 persons benefit annually from the literacy programs delivered to children and adults. The Science of Reading program will be expanded helping children build foundational literacy skills, improve reading levels and provide adults with literacy assistance and language support. Programs are delivered to Deroche Elementary School, and extend to Dewdney, Lake Errock, Leq’a:mel, and Sq’ewlets First Nations.

Nightshift Street Ministries, Surrey, $25,000
Nightshift’s programs include mobile nursing, counselling and outreach services, all operating 365 days a year. With over 400 active volunteers, their meal program serves over 47,000 meals annually in Surrey and Langley, with more than 9,000 visits in 2024 to the daily Welcome Centre Program for coffee, food and community. The Chillanthropy Kindness Cooler is essential to their food programs and will replace the existing outdated cooler.

Rick’s Heart Foundation, Fraser Valley, $20,000
The Heart for Music program equips seniors’ care homes with complete music therapy programs. Studies highlight the “benefits of providing music therapy and music-based care for nursing home residents…including measured changes in well-being like levels of enjoyment, mood and engagement in the residents…” (Ray, October 2018). In 2024, Rick’s Heart Foundation supported 45 care homes, with 13,000 seniors impacted by 26,000 hours of outdoor music therapy. The grant will enable a permanent installation of outdoor therapy programs at three centres, impacting more than 300 seniors.

Ridge Meadows Child Development Centre, Maple Ridge, $15,000
Providing no-cost, publicly funded early intervention services to children, youth, and families in Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows and the Katzie First Nation community, RMCDC seeks to increase accessibility to its programs through reduced wait times and the increase of hours for their part-time administrative staff. RMCDC serves over 1,000 children and their families each year.

Spinal Cord Injury of BC, Provincial, $5,000
There are approximately 12,000 individuals in B.C. who are living with an SCI with 500 new injuries seen each year. SCI-BC’s peer support programs help individuals return to daily routines, participate in activities or hobbies that they might not have tried since their injury, and become active members of their communities again. Each year, approximately 2,900 peers (people living with SCI or related physical disabilities), plus family members and friends participate in peer support programs and associated events and activities in Envision Financial communities: Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Delta, Langley and Surrey.

Surrey North Delta Meals on Wheels, North Delta, $15,000
This grant will support the volunteer mileage reimbursement program. In October 2025, 177 volunteers delivered 3,320 meals to 102 clients, traveling 3,820 kilometers; between January 1-October 31, 2025, a total of 39,865 kilometers have been logged. The reimbursement program ensures volunteers can serve clients with some recovery of gas and vehicle maintenance. Meals on Wheels programs are a key service designed to provide nutritious meals to seniors and individuals with low or limited mobility; volunteers also act as a vital resource for clients’ well-being and reduced isolation.

Union Gospel Mission, Langley, $25,000
Union Gospel Mission’s new Women’s Recovery Centre in Langley reiterates their commitment to offering a holistic approach fostering hope, acceptance and lasting change. In late 2023, UGM was approached by Wagner Hills Farms, a peer organization in the Fraser Valley, to consider assuming responsibility of their 12-bed women’s recovery facility. Women can reside in the facility for up to 12 months. Wagner Hills has stewarded a 57-acre property and supported women in recovery with care for over a decade. This grant will enable UGM to walk alongside women to help them break cycles of trauma and addiction and rebuild their lives and families.

Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society, Surrey, $25,000
Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society provides free transportation to cancer patients who lack the means to travel independently, do not have access to public transportation or support from family and friends. Volunteer drivers utilize their own vehicles; thus, the grant will support a reimbursement allowance for the volunteers helping to keep volunteer drivers on the road. In 2025, VCD aims to provide 43,000 patient trips to and from treatment centers across our region. Since its founding (2016), 197,395 patient trips have been provided.

Wagner Hills Farm Society, Langley, $25,000
A unique men’s, one-year recovery program on a 45-acre working farm, Wagner Hills encompasses a multi-pronged approach, the practical work of maintaining a thriving farm is used to develop skills, encourage teamwork and create purpose. Residents are empowered in recovery to make life sustaining decisions through established programs focused on counseling and nutrition. The Market at Wagner Hills sells artisan products created onsite by residents and volunteers. The Market is a not-for-profit entity, designed to equip Wagner Hills’ residents with life and workplace skills.

CAPACITY GRANTS

Restricted grants to grow knowledge and organizational opportunity.

Autism Support Network Society, Envision Financial region, $10,000
Funding will support and enable the Parent Education Coordinators to continue working with parents of autistic children. In 2024, almost 900 families received mentoring with one-to-one support (services are delivered in English, Punjabi, Mandarin and Farsi). Many of these families experience intersectional challenges related to race, ethnicity, family structure, and financial circumstances requiring access to accurate information and consistent support.

Hope Mountain Centre for Outdoor Education, Hope, $10,000
Hope Mountain Centre provides free programming to all school children from StrongStart to grade 6 in every school within SD78, serving approximately 24,000 individuals each year, with more than 100,000 persons indirectly benefiting from their work. The grant will support re-certification for staff and volunteers, ensuring safe delivery of programs. Recertification includes Wilderness First Responder, Remote First Aid, Leave No Trace Master Educator, chainsaw operation, Xwelítem Siyáya: Allyship and Reconciliation Building, and White-Water Rescue Technician courses.

Ishtar Women’s Resource Society, Langley, $15,000
Ishtar Women’s Resource Society has been at the forefront of providing comprehensive women and children fleeing violence since 1973. With two emergency transition houses and free counselling services for both women and children, to victim services and advocacy, Ishtar addresses the multifaceted needs of domestic violence survivors. Financial support will enable the creation of a strategic plan, developed in partnership with the Ishtar board of directors, employees at all levels, and with input from clients. This collaborative approach has the potential to galvanize action, strengthen team unity, and provide clear direction for our goals and initiatives. Engaging a strategic planning consultant will be essential to guide the team through the formulation of its 2026–2029 strategic plan.

Langley Animal Protection (LAPS), Langley, $10,000
Leadership development, board training, and fundraising education will strengthen the organization’s capacity to sustain and expand vital programs. By building a skilled and compassionate team, LAPS ensures they can continue to promote good health and well-being for both people and animals, fostering stronger, more connected communities. In 2024, LAPS partnered with 408 families, serving 858 animals in their shelter.

Langley Senior Resources Society, Langley $10,000
Advancing its new Strategic Plan, a facilitator will conduct three sessions with the Leadership Team and Board of Directors to create a comprehensive implementation plan, including tactics, success measurements, resources needed, and timelines to meet their established goals. The sessions will also help identify operational investments needed, improve collaboration and develop a scorecard to track progress against the plan. LSRS delivers programs to approximately 5,700 seniors each year.

Lumara Grief and Bereavement Care Society, Envision Financial region, $10,000
Developing a new website will include content development, building a new platform, developing accessibility compliance, donation functionality and interactive tools like a program finder and events calendar. More than 40% of the funding needed for this project has been secured. This grant will help support the fee of the web developer for the new site.

National Family Support and Restoration Society, Mission $10,000
Providing safe stable housing for mothers in crisis, known as Cherub’s Inn, NFSRS strives to create a supportive and safe atmosphere. In 2024, NFSRS opened its maternity house in Mission, serving 20-28 women and their children with comprehensive services (counselling, trauma informed care, and workforce training). A daycare centre which opened in 2022, provides childcare for women in residence and the wider community; the daycare contributes to the sustainability of the organization. Funding will support the creation of a strategic plan to develop clear and effective strategies to guide sustainable growth over the next three years positioning Cherub’s Inn for long-term success.

Step Forward Health Society, Delta, $10,000
A grassroots charity dedicated to removing financial barriers to mental health care in the Delta region, Step Forward Health Society’s sustainability will be enhanced and supported with a capacity grant focusing on fundraising knowledge and operational efficiency. In 2024, the Foundation’s impact grant of $25,000 funded two group programs over a duration of 20 weeks, with 20% of the grant supporting administrative costs. For every woman receiving counselling, at least three persons are impacted.

Surrey Cares Community Foundation, Surrey, $10,000
A vital philanthropic contributor in Surrey with annual funding to more than 300 charities over the past 30 years, this grant will help the Foundation hire an online content expert to review and update its website content to align with their Strategic Plan and Communication Strategy.

SOAR GRANTS

Our commitment to equity deserving organizations.

Big Sisters of the Lower Mainland, Surrey and Delta, B.C., $25,000
The Go Girls! Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds program is a school-based group mentoring initiative for individuals identifying as girls and gender-diverse youth in grades 4-7. Facilitated by trained mentors, sessions include group discussions and educational activities that encourage self-reflection and positive conversations about healthy living in a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment. Delivered throughout 2024, 41% and 22% of participants live in Surrey and Delta. Overall, in 2024, Big Sisters provided programs to 494 youth with 315 volunteers.

EmpowerED Support Society, Hope, $25,000
EmpowerED Support Society serves individuals and families across the community by making information, education, and support services accessible to all. Guided by principles of social justice and equity, the Society works together with partners, stakeholders, and the broader community to address the diverse needs present within our society. In 2024-2025 EmpowerED Support Society supported 269 clients between their four core programs addressing the unique challenges faced by individuals and families, providing tailored support that advocates for dignity and self-determination.

First Nations Emergency Service Society of BC, Envision Financial region, $10,000
FNESS supports BC First Nation in developing and sustaining safer, healthier, and thriving communities. Funding will facilitate the convening of 204 first nations bands and communities for an Emergency Management forum and tradeshow where FNESS and partners share educational and training opportunities on disaster risk reduction. Programs are delivered through four pillars of Emergency Management: Preparedness, Mitigation, Response and Recovery. Nations will learn from Emergency Management professionals and hear firsthand experiences from other nations.

Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation, Abbotsford, $25,000
Funding will support the launch of a pilot project, the Health Passport program for three Fraser Canyon First Nations communities. This project provides a user-friendly health record, available in print and on USB, to track clinical visits and medical history, with the goal of improving care coordination. In partnership with local organizations, the Foundation will distribute passports, assist families in their use, and collect data on outcomes.

Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association, Surrey, $15,000
FRAFCA, is the first point of contact for Indigenous people seeking services and support. Their approach and philosophy bridge the best of both Western and Traditional knowledge to provide a place of support, healing, and advocacy. FRAFCA offers Indigenous people a wide range of services and support including, a Youth Safe House, outreach support to vulnerable youth age 16-24, First Response Youth Addition Outreach Program, Aboriginal Homeless Prevention Program, and additional Elder Counselling services.

Leave Out Violence (LOVE) Society, Fraser Valley, $35,000
A youth-driven organization focused on violence prevention, skill-building and creative expression will expand its programs into Envision Financial communities including Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Delta, Langley, Mission, and Surrey. LOVE BC is deepening its youth programs, workshops and arts-based activities that provide safe, inclusive, and empowering spaces for underserved youth to build social-emotional skills, enhance well-being, and fully engage with their education. Additionally, ensure program accessibility, including meals, materials, and staffing support will be funded.

MOSAIC, Fraser Valley, $25,000                                                                                                                                               
MOSAIC supports immigrants, refugees, newcomers, migrant workers, refugee claimants and people from diverse backgrounds of all ages at multiple locations throughout British Columbia. Experts in employment services for newcomers, a First West Foundation grant will help MOSAIC fill gaps in the following areas: Family and children’s services/programs; Employment Reskilling and Mentoring; Social and Civic Opportunities:  Pathways to Equity Program (SCOPE); and the Refugee and Migrant Workers Program.

Qmunity, Fraser Valley, $25,000                                                                                                                                              
QMUNITY provides a supportive haven for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals and their allies, with a profound commitment to enhancing lives through inclusivity, resilience, and personal growth. QMUNITY’s Counselling Program encompasses a range of options tailored to meet the varying needs of community members. From free counselling sessions led by practicum students to low-cost counselling provided by registered professionals, the program aims to ensure accessibility and affordability for all. The counselling program has a consistently long waitlist; additional funding will help reduce the wait time. Qmunity reported in 2023 14,000+ individuals received support through their programs.

Reach Child and Youth Development Society, Delta, $25,000
The Punjabi-speaking peer support group has grown in five years from four families to over 100. In 2025, REACH will expand the program to support more newcomer families with education on critical topics such as accessing funding, translation services, health care/mental health services, and provide online and in-person peer support networks. REACH serves approximately 1,300 individual families annually; and in most instances several family members are part of more than one program, and most are seen multiple times for services.

Seabird Island Band, Fraser Valley, $25,000,  
The funding will equip the Cultural Centre’s Kitchen, making it possible to run food skills programs throughout the year and improve access to nutritious, culturally significant foods. This initiative broadens the range of services available to families from Seabird Island and nearby Fraser Valley communities such as Chilliwack, Hope, and Mission. It also creates employment opportunities by offering training in food safety, basic catering, and event services, while enhancing collaborations with local organizations for referrals, joint workshops, and volunteer engagement. During 2024, 114 clients found jobs, 10 clients moved into training initiatives, 110 individuals were connected with potential employers, and 294 referrals were issued to various other services and programs.

SHER Vancouver, Delta, $10,000
A recent multi-year grantee, SHER Vancouver, through program design and delivery, supports queer South Asians and their families, friends and allies in our community. The grant will facilitate the development of a comprehensive volunteer training program which includes recruitment, orientation, training, engagement, and recognition. The Volunteer Program will support Sher Vancouver’s capacity to recruit a diverse volunteer base, provide essential training in various areas, and ensure volunteers have the ongoing support they need to succeed. SHER actively supports or serves more than 30,000 individuals each year through its varied programs.

Technology for Living, Envision Financial region, $25,000
TFL provides need-based assistive technology and innovative ideas that create or enhance social inclusion and belonging. Three signature programs help increase independence, the autonomy, and safety of people with physical disabilities: the Youth Assistive Technology (YAT) initiative, The Open-Door Program, and The Simon Cox Student Design Competition from Technology for Living (TFL). First launched as a pilot program, TFL is expanding YAT; the Open-Door Program uses technology to remove barriers and adapts entrances to rooms; and the Simon Cox Student Design Competition partners University students with a person with a disability to provide innovative solutions for everyday problems. In 2024, TFL served 1,959 individuals, including over 1,400 home visits.

The Centre for Epilepsy and Seizure Education in B.C., Abbotsford $9,680
Growing organizational capacity through education, volunteer engagement and fundraising, this grant will support these three key areas as identified in the Centre’s 2024 strategic planning process. The Centre will build its cultural competency to develop practical skills and tools to successfully collaborate with BC First Nations, as well as other Indigenous groups and communities. They will grow volunteer capacity with effective training programs and management systems; and enhance fundraising capacity with long-term plans and a case for support. In 2024, approximately 1,800 persons in B.C. accessed programming, with website resources attracting almost 10,000 visits monthly.

Thrive-4-Blacks Community Services Society, Surrey, $25,000
T4BSS creates free opportunities for Black kids and youth to learn, grow and thrive through youth leadership development, financial literacy workshops, and entrepreneurship and empowerment programs. Thrive-4-Blacks Community Services is ‘focused on advancing the education and empowerment of young people’ with support services and systems through tailored programs they help youth discover themselves and thrive in Canada.

UNITI, The Semiahmoo Foundation, $22,000
Community leaders supporting persons with development disabilities, UNITI’s WISE Ambassadors Club empowers people with disabilities to become workplace leaders, mentors, and advocates for inclusive employment. Members develop speaking skills, leadership abilities, and employment readiness tools that support long-term career growth.

Multi-year grants

Grantees entered into a two and three-year commitment with First West Foundation in 2024 and 2023 respectively and will conclude in 2025.

Salt Spring Island Farmland Trust (SSIFT), Salt Spring Island, $15,000
Grow Local Collective is an Island wide community food growing and sharing mobilization. Grow Local Collective supports growers to crop-plan, organize growing work parties, build native edible plant gardens, and glean leftover food from orchards throughout the growing season. In 2024, Salt Spring Island Farmland Trust unified an Island wide harvest to rescue and utilize over 15,000 pounds of local food.

Take a Hike Youth Foundation, Nanaimo, $10,000
Empowering vulnerable youth to believe in their potential and achieve success, Take a Hike supports youth with full-time mental health clinical counselling and well-being programs integrated into their school curriculum; also included are outdoor wilderness trips and community engagement activities. Following completion of high school, an impressive 97% of youth plan to attend post-secondary education and 76% reported improved mental health and overall life satisfaction.

IMPACT GRANTS

Unrestricted grants to support an organization’s greatest need.

1000 X 5 Children’s Book Recycling Project Society, Victoria, $15,000
Literacy changes lives, educationally, emotionally, economically, and health wise. 1000X5 serves children at risk in a year-round program providing literacy resources to families in need. Each month, 2,500-3,000 books are distributed to up to 1,000 children. 1000X5 partners with 27 local agencies, supporting more than 70 free programs designed to provide reading resources crucial to developing stronger relationships in local families.

Circular Farm and Food Society, Victoria, $15,000
The Regenerative Farmer Program is an incubator farm initiative designed to support new and young entrant farmers by providing access to essential resources, including land, infrastructure, tools, and mentorship. With six acres in production and eight farm businesses actively growing food on individual plots, farmers are unable to maximize production because of limited storage capacity. The grant will help install an 8’x12’ walk in cooler. In 2024, over 24,000 pounds of produce was stored in the existing 8′ x 10′ walk-in cooler (operating at full capacity); the installation of the new cooler will allow for an additional 10,000 pounds of fresh locally grown produce in year one to supply school meal programs and community organizations. Last year, 1,643 individuals visited, 576 were Kindergarten to Grade 12 students who participated in field trips facilitated through a partnership with the Growing Young Farmers Society.

Cowichan Valley Youth Services, Duncan, $15,000
Dedicated to providing counselling services and various mental health focused programs for youth and their parents/caregivers, in 2024 CVYS supported nearly 900 unique individuals (approximately 85% who are youth) through more than 12,000 counselling hours and various other group and service offerings. To fill an existing service gap, CVYS will introduce the evidence based “Connect Attachment Program” to the region. This program will provide approximately 24-45 parents/caregivers of teens with free access to a highly effective attachment-based parenting group to learn new strategies for relating to and communicating with their youth, managing behavioural challenges, and taking care of themselves in the process. The grant will support the staffing of the program, thus not adding pressure on current resources resulting in a positive impact on existing waitlists.

Crisis Intervention & Public Information Society NEED2, Victoria, $10,000
The Youth Suicide Prevention project is designed to provide compassionate, person-centered support, providing safe space for youth to understand the importance of talking. NEED2’s in-person suicide prevention programs equip youth with the knowledge to recognize and skills to support, someone experiencing a mental health crisis. In 2024, NEED2, provided suicide prevention workshops to over 5,000 students across South Vancouver Island. “Suicide remains the leading cause of injury-related death for youth 10-24 years of age. The youngest person reported to die by suicide in British Columbia was 8 years old; and we are seeing children as young as 4 years old exhibiting suicidal behaviour.”~ Sabrina Studney, Executive Director

Greater Victoria Citizens’ Counseling Centre, Victoria, $15,000
The Greater Victoria Citizens’ Counselling Centre assists adult community members in attaining social and psychologically satisfying lives by providing quality, accessible, volunteer counselling services. GVCCC operates an annual training program, whereby over a 10-month period, 18 trainees attend 160 hours of training from a registered Clinical Counsellor and two assistants. Upon graduation, each trainee embarks on providing at least 250 hours of volunteer, low-cost counselling to adults in the community with the means or opportunity to access counselling on their own. It is estimated that 375 individuals can access up to 11 sessions of counselling through this program. Counsellors are formally supervised by professionals contracted by Citizens to ensure quality and maximize positive outcomes. Over 81% of clients indicate a significant to moderate change in their well-being because of attending Citizens’ counselling.

Mental Health Recovery Partners Society, Victoria, $15,000
Mental Health Recovery Partners Society provides programs and services for people, and loved ones of people, living with mental illness/mental health and substance use challenges. They provide one-to-one peer support, group support, counselling, wellness training, education, advocacy and policy development. Having navigated a leadership change and a 50% increase in board growth, a capacity grant will support the facilitation of a formal review and update of governance and HR policies, further strengthening the resilience of their organization.

Nanaimo Volunteer and Information Centre, Nanaimo, $10,000
The Youth Network program empowers youth aged 11 to 29 to make a meaningful impact in the Nanaimo community through volunteering. Youth gain essential life skills and experience, build resilience and self-confidence, and form meaningful connections, all while giving back to their community. This program currently supports 75+ youth through mentorship, leadership, and volunteer opportunities.

Parkinson Wellness Projects, Victoria, $15,000
PWP provides evidence-based exercise programs, counselling services and educational seminars for the Parkinson’s community on Vancouver Island. The fastest growing neurological disease with no current cure, in Greater Victoria an estimated 1,200 people are diagnosed with PD; a total that is projected to double by 2031. PWP seeks to increase their weekly programs, retain experienced instructors, counselors and community partners. Currently PWP has over 600 registered individuals.

Peninsula Streams Society, North Saanich, $10,000
Peninsula Streams works with 10 municipalities, six First Nations, over 15 community stewardship groups, and in 2024, volunteers contributed over 7,000 hours of service, engaging with more than 4,000 students. The grant will enable staff to plan and deliver education programming and workshops as well as contribute to the installation and maintenance of a demonstration rain garden at a local community hub. “Watersheds are vital as they supply drinking water, support ecosystems, and regulate climate. They capture, filter, and distribute water, impacting both human livelihoods and biodiversity. Protecting watersheds ensures sustainable water resources and environmental health.”

The Circle Salt Spring Education Society, Salt Spring Island, $15,000
Approximately 75% of the student population in School District 64 are impacted by The Circle Education’s in-school programs. The grant will help support four key programs promoting healthy relationship skills. The Friendship Project K-2; The Empathy Project Grade 3-5; The Respect Project Grade 6-8; and the Trust Project grades 9-10. Approximately 1,200 unique individuals are served annually through in-class programs, after-school initiatives, and professional development training. The overall reach of The Circle’s programs is estimated to be 7,679 students.

The Men’s Centre, Nanaimo, $15,000
Counselling services, crisis intervention, workshops, and the Boots to Suit program support men and help identify and address underlying mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety or trauma by providing coaching to improve coping mechanisms and enhance overall well-being. Various programs support over 1,400 men in Nanaimo and the Central Island Community.

Victoria Brain Injury Society, Victoria, $15,000
The Counsellor in Training program (CIT) provides free specialized counselling services to brain injury survivors, addressing a critical gap in mental health support for this vulnerable population. The CIT Program is a first-of-its-kind initiative at VBIS, designed to provide accessible mental health care while also fostering the development of future professionals in the field of brain injury counselling. The grant will provide impact beyond 2025 by creating a sustainable pipeline of future counsellors with expertise in brain injury care. In 2024, VBIS served approximately 634 brain injury survivors, providing a wide range of individual support services tailored to their unique needs.

Victoria Community Food Hub Society, Victoria, $15,000
“The Victoria Community Food Hub Society is dedicated to alleviating poverty and hunger, while fostering a sustainable, thriving food economy.” Funding will be used to support staffing capacity to expand the reach and impact of the South Island FarmHub program. This program aggregates and distributes fresh, locally sourced produce to schools and community food programs serving vulnerable populations (reaching over 15,000 people across the region). Partners with the FarmHub program include the Songees, Tsarlip, and Tsawout Nations, Iye Creative, and Flourish School Food Society.

Victoria Literacy Connection Society, Victoria, $15,000
Reading Partners is active in two school districts (SD61 Victoria and SD62 Sooke), in 2025 VLC plans to advance the program to have a presence in SD63 Saanich schools, whereupon the program will cover Southern Vancouver Island, starting with the greatest need schools first. VLC provides one-to-one tutoring for children, youth and adults, tech tutoring for seniors, English language learning groups and an inter-generational pen pal club. In 2024 approximately 300 learners benefited from the program.

CAPACITY GRANTS

Restricted grants to grow knowledge and organizational opportunity.

Nanaimo Community Kitchens Society, Nanaimo, $10,000
The grant will support NCKS as it enters a phase of growth and expansion. As NCKS continues to grow, the demand for their programs has expanded significantly. NCKS is now serving more social housing buildings, schools, recovery houses and families than ever before. The capacity grant will enable NCKS to redevelop resources, invest in board development, create a strategic plan and strengthen infrastructure to meet the rising community demand. In 2024, Nanaimo Community Kitchens served over 700 unique individuals through various programs.

Operation Freedom Paws Canada, Island Savings Region, $10,000
Founded to help veterans overcome PTSD and other complex traumas, OFPC also supports first responders, RCMP, children, youth, and adults. A capacity grant will help provide ongoing volunteer training and mentorship.  Specialized volunteer training needs include: suicide prevention and intervention, compassionate fatigue prevention and trauma-informed practice. Over 2,750 individuals on Vancouver Island have benefited from OPFC programs and service dog teams.

SOAR GRANTS

Our commitment to equity deserving organizations.

Cowichan Valley Intercultural and Immigrant Aid Society, Duncan, $15,000
CIS offers 18 active community service programs and is known as a leading community partner focused on immigrant settlement services and education and awareness in developing welcoming and inclusive communities. Funding will support the hiring of a part-time youth coordinator to help facilitate events during February’s Black History Month. In 2025, CIS supported over 100 individuals find employment, many of whom have faced significant barriers such as language, long term unemployment, limitations understanding Canadian work culture and scarce options for credential/ training recognition.

Human-Nature Counselling Society, Victoria, $15,000
The grant will support the promotion and enhancement of positive mental health outcomes amongst vulnerable Indigenous and non-Indigenous students struggling with social isolation. Through the Indigenous Ways of Knowing and nature-based practices, the Guam Guam Specums program is a unique program in partnership with School District 61. It aims to support mostly Indigenous students’ social and emotional well-being and engagement in the school environment. Guam Guam Specums runs in three schools: Craigflower Elementary School, Shoreline Middle School, and Rockheights Middle School. School staff, HNCS facilitators, and students work together to determine which students will benefit most from the program as participants.

Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria, $15,000
The Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria (ICA) supports the full integration of newcomer immigrants and refugees into the social, economic and civic life of the Capital Region. ICA provides social programs and one-on-one support for immigration, healthcare, and employment. ICA has many services for 2SLGBTQIA+ newcomers and refugees. In 2024 Inter-Cultural Association walked alongside over 3,900 newcomers as they built their new lives on Vancouver Island.

Raincoast Conservation Foundation, Victoria, $10,000
The Salish Sea Emerging Stewards program provides hands-on experiential environmental science and stewardship education to Indigenous, racialized, and underserved youth ages 14-25 living around the Salish Sea. The program is offered free of charge to reduce socio-economic barriers to learning and access to nature. SSES partners directly with Indigenous Nations, schools and local nonprofits to deliver its programming while aligning with the B.C. curriculum for high school students (grade 9-12) in the subjects of sciences, social studies, geography and Indigenous studies in B.C. Up to 76 youth participate annually in class-based and outdoor educational programs delivered by Raincoast.

Restorative Justice Victoria, Victoria, $15,000
Restorative Justice Victoria works with youth aged 12+ and adults, to address harm resulting from crime and violence. Funding will support advanced training for the TRANSFORM staff who use restorative justice to respond to gender-based violence. This training provides staff a better understanding of how to give trauma-informed care for survivors with a focus on equity, anti-racism, and how to utilize the best practices for client safety/risk assessment. Annually, RJV receives 75-150 referrals from local police, schools, the BC Crown, judges, community organizations and others.

Victoria Native Friendship Centre, Victoria, $15,000
Since 1969, VNFC has been mandated to encourage and promote the well-being of urban Indigenous people by strengthening individuals, families, and community. Up to 200 compassionate staff members deliver over 75+ programs and services to the estimated over 21,000 off-reserve Indigenous people in community, as well as supporting on-reserve citizens in the 10 local nations. VNFC offers unique wrap-around programming that includes full daycare, early childhood development programs, family violence prevention, law and health services, mental health and addictions supports, education and employment programs, youth services, food security programs, housing supports and services, Elders programs, a full community kitchen, cultural and arts events.

Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society, Victoria, $15,000
The Enable Program for Women, Children, and Youth program seeks to enhance education, emotional well-being, and social support for immigrant and refugee women, children, and youth. This program is designed to help participants achieve their goals, strengthen their sense of identity, belonging, and community, and reduce settlement-related barriers by increasing access to education, employment, resources, and services. VIRCS serves over 4,000 vulnerable clients annually through its various programs, providing essential support to immigrants, refugees and other newcomers as they integrate into Canadian Society.

Multi-year grants

Grantees entered into a two or three-year commitment with First West Foundation in 2023 and 2024, and all will conclude in 2025.

Kelowna Community Resources (KCR), Kelowna, $15,000
The Family Hub is a safe welcoming space for vulnerable families that offers a holistic approach to strengthening those at risk. This program fosters independence and pride, teaching basic skills to children aged 7 -12. At same time, parents and/or caregivers can participate in a self-care program. In 2024, 4,935 adults and 6,464 children accessed services at the KCR Family Hub.

Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD), Valley First region, $5,000
Youth are disproportionally affected by impaired driving—in 2021, young drivers aged 16-24 accounted for 23% of all impaired driving incidents in Canada. The School Assembly Program keeps kids safe, empowering youth in grades 7-12 with a presentation that vividly illustrates the consequences of impaired driving. In 2024, MADD presented School Assembly Presentation’s to five schools in the Valley First region.

Take a Hike Youth Foundation, Valley First region, $10,000
Empowering vulnerable youth to believe in their potential and achieve success, Take a Hike supports youth with full-time mental health clinical counselling and well-being programs integrated into their school curriculum. Also included are outdoor wilderness trips and community engagement activities. Following completion of high school, an impressive 97% of youth plan to attend post-secondary education and 76% reported improved mental health and overall life satisfaction. In Vernon, 100% of grade 12 students graduated, with one student returning to ‘mainstream’ classrooms for their grade 12 year.

IMPACT GRANTS

Unrestricted grants to support an organization’s greatest need.

Archway Society for Domestic Peace, Vernon, $15,000
Archway Society for Domestic Peace supports individuals and families across the North Okanagan who are impacted by domestic and sexual violence. The work centres on safety, healing and long-term wellbeing. Each year, more than 1,600 people are supported through the emergency shelter, counselling, outreach, advocacy and specialized services for children, youth and families.

Canadian Mental Health Association, Vernon, $15,000
CMHA Vernon’s newly launched food security program will focus on building sustainable practices for participants, including a monthly class exploring strategies to improve healthy eating habits on a limited budget. Activities will range from meal planning, budgeting, creation of shopping lists, canning, and cooking. Having basic needs met, such as sufficient access to healthy food, is a major contributing factor for an individual’s overall mental wellness. Included in the program is food safe certification for staff, program participants, youth at the Youth Integrated Services Hub and volunteers at their wellness housing sites.

Centre for Epilepsy and Seizure Education in BC, Central Okanagan, $13,305
In 2024, the Centre ran a pilot program with a grant from the Valley First Community Endowment. Included in the pilot was staff training, establishing an Advisory Committee, creation of an operations manual for regional hubs, and training modules for peer moderators; the Interior Hub launched October 2024. This grant will build on the success of the pilot program, provide ongoing training for peer moderators, reduce barriers for people affected by epilepsy and grow the resiliency of the community. An in-depth evaluation will be conducted in early 2026. In 2024, approximately 1,800 persons in B.C. accessed programming, with website resources attracting almost 10,000 visits monthly.

Dress for Success, Kelowna $15,000
The grant will help sustain and expand core programming at Dress for Success ensuring women in Kelowna and surrounding areas receive the support, confidence, and tools needed to secure fulfilling, stable careers and contribute to a stronger, more vibrant community. Dress for Success Kelowna assists 300 women per year with a primary focus in 2025 to increase client participation in its professional development, leadership, and mentorship programs. This access will lead to better employment and financial outcomes for the women served while also increasing the impact of Dress for Success in the community.

Gardengate Horticulture Program, Kamloops, $15,000
The intersection of mental health care, meaningful jobs and food security collide at Gardengate in Kamloops. A 2.5 acre farm supports clients of the South Hills Psychiatric Rehabilitation Centre alongside local community gardeners. The Gardengate programs include  vocational rehabilitation, life skills or pre-employment training, and are designed to meet each individual where they are today and where they want to go next. Programs recognize employment as a pathway for people to discover purpose, affirm their self-worth, and enhance community engagement. As an operating farm, each year approximately 18,000 pounds of produce are harvested for clients and the community.

Haugen Community Healthcare Society, Armstrong, $5,000
Operating in Armstrong since 2009, the Society works in collaboration with community to increase access and to retain physicians and integrated health services for residents. Over 6,400 patients and 80 senior residents at Pleasant Valley Manor receive care from five physicians and a nurse practitioner. This grant will help support the rental costs for one year (60% of total cost required has been secured); doctors pay all other associated costs of the practice including operating expenses, supplies, staffing and insurance. “There are currently 700,000 patients in British Columbia who don’t have a family doctor,” said Dr. Charlene Lui, a family physician in Burnaby and president of Doctors of BC.

Launch Financial Education Society, Kelowna, $15,000
The Matched Savings program is a year-long project which combines monthly financial education classes with financial savings. The goal of the program is to help people improve their financial security and financial resilience. The matched savings component provides graduates with a 3:1 return (based on their savings) for a grant up to $1,800. Graduates use these funds to invest in transformative goals, such as starting a small business, pursuing education, purchasing tools for work, or contributing to RESP or RDSP accounts. In 2024, Launch served 900 people, a 23% increase over 2023.

Modern Man Family Project, Kamloops, $20,000
Funding will enable Modern Man Family Project to expand its program F.I.R.E. (Fathers in Relationship Education) initiative by running additional sessions throughout the year. The expansion will facilitate increased participation from Indigenous and non-Indigenous fathers, and it ensures cost will never be a barrier to participate. With the available resources, complimentary meals will continue, along with skilled facilitation, and materials that reflect diverse cultures—fostering mental wellness, family cohesion, and lasting community strength. The grant will further support training more facilitators, creating updated program materials, and strengthening collaborations with local Indigenous partners, educational institutions, and employers.

North Okanagan Community Life Society, Vernon, $15,000 
Funding will strengthen NOCLS’s capacity to address increasing service demands and pilot new approaches to assist individuals and families experiencing various challenges. The organization provides affordable housing, caregiver support, and a range of inclusive community programs for people with diverse abilities. This grant will be directed toward critical efforts such as growing affordable housing projects, boosting resources for family caregivers, and developing more inclusive activities that enable meaningful community involvement.

North Okanagan Hospice Society, Vernon, $10,000
North Okanagan Hospice’s Navigator program (provided by their social workers, clinical counsellors and registered nurses) help people access the local services, information and support they need so they can oversee their journey. This grant will enable NOHS to expand community outreach and enhance services thereby strengthening their impact and addressing unmet needs within the community. Through group counselling, grief and bereavement counseling, NOHS provides care to over 170 residents per year.

Okanagan Fruit Tree Project Society, Kelowna, $15,000
The grant will help OFTP support its core programming and operational costs. Through its education programs and harvesting/gleaning programs, more than 475,000 pounds of produce has been collected since 2012. Approximately 5,000 residents are positively impacted by OFTP programs each year, and over 100 social service agencies and schools in Central and South Okanagan benefit from harvested produce. OFTP continues to “cultivate community through local food” and carry out their mandate to run food-based programming through the lenses of equity and inclusion, reconciliation and sustainability.

Project Literacy Central Okanagan Society, Kelowna, $10,000
The Adult Tutoring Program helps adult immigrants, refugees, and new Canadians improve their literacy skills with the support of a volunteer tutor. The One-to-One Children’s reading program supports children in grades 1-4 who are struggling to read at their grade level; this program has a 96% success rate in improving a child’s reading level. The grant will help support the cost of both programs. PLCOS serves approximately 300 adult learners and 80 students in grades 1-4 each year.

South Okanagan Women in Need (SOWINS), Penticton $15,000
SOWINS provides safe, accessible person-centred supports and preventative interventions to individuals who are at risk of experiencing violence and abuse. Funding will support core operational needs, required to effectively deliver programs and support staff. In 2024, SOWINS answered over 2,000 crisis calls and provided 3,418 overnight stays at their Transition House for women, youth and children.

Third Space Charity, Kelowna, $15,000
The Pay-What-You-Can Counselling for Youth program provides accessible barrier free mental health services to youth 18-29 in the Central Okanagan region. The program is projected to serve over 400 young adults with more than 2,600 sessions this year. An additional component to the program is Third Space Charity’s practicum program which supports graduate-level counselling interns who deliver the services under best-practice clinical supervision. The intern program will see an increase of 17% in student counselling services.

YMCA of Southern Interior BC, Kelowna, $15,000
The YMCA Alternative Suspension program is a unique out-of-school intervention program delivered in Kelowna, West Kelowna, and Penticton for students ages 12-17 who are suspended from middle and high school. Rather than send a youth home for the duration of their suspension, students are referred to the program. This ensures youth remain safe and off the streets, reduces engagement in risk-taking behaviours such as drug use and vandalism, and allows them the opportunity to transform their time away from school into a positive experience that fosters personal development and autonomy. The model of change empowers children, youth, and families by building skills and confidence, enabling them to better advocate for themselves, graduate from high school on time with their peers, and pursue higher educational and work opportunities. In 2025, up to 280 at-risk, vulnerable youth are expected to participate in the program this school year.

CAPACITY GRANTS

Restricted grants to grow knowledge and organizational opportunity.

Elizabeth Fry Society, Kamloops, $5,000
Elizabeth Fry Society provides education, advocacy, capacity building and safe, secure affordable housing within an environment of respect for each person’s right to self-determination and freedom. Serving over 200 women, children and youth each year, the grant will support a fund development strategy to broaden communications and increase accessibility to programs and online resources.

Hands in Service, Kelowna, $15,000
Hands in Service is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting low-income, isolated individuals, and those with disabilities or chronic illnesses in Kelowna. Reinforcing its organizational capacity, the  grant will enable them to bolster volunteer recruitment and training initiatives, improve overall program coordination, and invest in long-term resources such as updated technology and ongoing staff development. With these enhancements, Hands in Service can operate more efficiently, broaden its service delivery, and support a greater number of clients.

Oasis United Church Penticton, $9,000
Addressing food insecurity in Penticton, Naramata, and across the South Okanagan, a consultant will be hired to help Oasis develop a strategic plan to assist them in creating a more sustainable and effective approach to their service delivery. Approximately 80% of clients are housed and cannot find a way to afford food beyond their set costs. In 2021, the total number of people served was 1,830. In 2024, the total number of people served was 6,158 – an increase of 237%. Oasis is an Affirming congregation, which means they take a public stance to welcome and support all gender identities. This has meant there are clients who do not feel safe going to other organizations addressing food insecurity.

Penticton Community Soupateria Society, Penticton $10,000
Annually, Soupateria serves approximately 34,000 nourishing meals to individuals facing food insecurity. The requested funding will ensure the continuity of this essential daily meal program by supporting the purchase of takeout containers and utensils, covering regular operating costs, and contributing to the wages of two part-time staff members. Soupateria is committed to providing meals every single day of the year to the local community. Valley First team members volunteer on a regular, recurring basis each month.

Vernon Upper Room Mission Society, Vernon, $10,000
The Upper Room Mission Shelter provides a welcoming, safe and supportive environment to the unsheltered, marginalized and vulnerable housed in Vernon, most of whom experience complex intersectionality. The grant will be used to strengthen board governance, through board training and development, strategic recruitment and active engagement and accountability. The investment in leadership development enables Upper Room Mission to build a high-performing board that not only governs but actively drives impact, ensuring long-term sustainability and transformational change for those they serve. More than 70-110 guests access the drop-in services daily, including meals, access to washrooms, showers, laundry, clothing, and connections to community
resources.

SOAR GRANTS

Our commitment to equity deserving organizations.

Kamloops Sexual Assault Counselling Centre Society, Kamloops, $15,000
Indirectly and subsequently, this grant will help KSACC achieve its goal of increasing access to inclusive care in the direct aftermath of an assault. KSACC is relocating its services to a self-purchased building. As such, renovations are required to provide an accessible and trauma-informed clinic, police reporting, waiting and office spaces. Offering these services in a co-located, community-based setting has significantly improved survivors’ healing and justice journeys in the short and long term. In the 2023/2024 fiscal year, KSACC served 264 folks in its counselling programs, 150 in its community-based victim service program, and 162 in its crisis response program.

Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society, $15,000
The Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society (KFS) honours Indigenous culture, knowledge and values by advocating and supporting the wholistic vision of building a strong sustainable foundation through healing and empowerment. In 2024, KFS outreach workers provided support and resources to 233 individuals needing housing units and peer support.

Niteo Africia Society, Kelowna, $15,000
NITEO provides literacy-focused programs that help children build identity, explore their world, and develop their talents. Niteo provides family reading initiatives for newcomer families in Kelowna and Vernon, as well as a play-based summer program for kids aged 6–12 in Kelowna. In July 2025, 45 children participated in two weeks of programs; 40% of the program participants were children not born in Canada.

OCCA, Kelowna, $15,000
OCCA is dedicated to promoting mutual understanding, respect, acceptance, and harmony among the diverse communities of the Central Okanagan. Funding will support upgrades to OCCA’s IT and digital infrastructure to improve efficiency, data management, and program delivery. These enhancements will support the management systems for better impact measurement, strengthen marketing and outreach capacity to reach more newcomers, immigrant families, and seniors experiencing isolation or systemic barriers and improve internal processes to be more effective and sustainable as demand increases. In 2024, 362 immigrants participated in OCCA’s information sessions, 2,750 helpline calls were attended and more than 19,000 persons participated in ESL classes.

This Space Belongs to You Society, Kelowna, $15,000
This Space delivers mental health support to 2SLGBTQIA+ and/or IBPOC young people ages 12-24. This grant will help enhance their operational infrastructure and enable the expansion of essential services for their youth clients. This support will allow TSBYS to retain its current counselling staff and group programming, while also facilitating the development of new community workshops informed by direct feedback from the youth served.

Vernon and District Immigrant and Community Services, $15,000
Vernon and District Immigrant Community Service Society (VADICSS) provides essential guidance and support to newcomers and their families as they adapt to Canadian life. VADICSS strives to create a welcoming and inclusive community, where diversity is celebrated, equity is prioritized, and everyone—regardless of background—can participate fully and feel valued. The organization also enhances mental health outcomes by offering counselling services in newcomers’ native languages, particularly for those who have experienced trauma and violence, such as refugees coming from conflict-affected areas.

The Leaders’ Fund was established by Tru Cooperative Bank, formerly First West Credit Union to advance capacity building and development opportunities for our charitable partners. This includes supporting education and professional training, along with other programs that positively contribute to strengthening the organization’s leadership and operations. Grantees are selected from applications submitted through the Foundation annual regional community endowment grant cycle.

Alert Canada, Valley First Region, $10,000
ALERT (Animal Lifeline Emergency Response Team) responds to disaster situations requiring evacuation, rescue and shelter of domestic animals and livestock. Recent BC-disasters of wildfire and flooding result in an increased requirement of service and volunteer support. This grant will help ALERT offer a range of training for volunteers, including technical skills for handling large animals and poultry, animal husbandry, and animal mortality management. Funding will also support the creation and updating of training materials, acquisition of necessary equipment, and delivery of training sessions.

Cowichan Green Community Foundation, North Cowichan, $10,000
Cowichan Green Community Foundation aims to advance food systems’ education and provide information and services that directly impact household food insecurity and access. In 2025, significant change affected the organization, including new leadership, an organizational move, and the closure of several programs. A capacity grant will  help CGCF engage a strategic planning consultant to facilitate discussion and creation of a new strategic plan, replacing its current 10-year-old plan. In 2023, CGCF programs accounted for 26,614 pounds of local fruit rescued, 353,853 pounds of food recovered, and 22,463 meals delivered.

Discovery House, Penticton, $10,000
Discovery House provides a safe, supportive, structured and peer-based environment for men seeking recovery from addiction. Residents are empowered to overcome substance use, develop essential life skills, and reintegrate into their families and communities as healthy, self-sufficient members of society. Serving 160 individuals each year, the grant will focus on strengthening several areas of governance: strategic and organizational planning, staff training and leadership development, and the expansion of recovery support services. With over 300 men served since 2007 and a 79% treatment completion rate, Discovery House has a proven track record of helping individuals achieve long-term sobriety, employment, and family reunification.

Ladysmith Family and Friends, Ladysmith, $10,000
Each year LAFF’s family-focused resource programs serve more than 530 families across the region, building resiliency in children and their families through play-based learning, opportunities for social and emotional development, literacy, physical literacy and numeracy development, and with intergenerational connection and community engagement. This grant will help LAFF create new structures and systems to advance their Strategic Plan and Volunteer training including the creation of a new Senior Facilitator position, an expansion of the Volunteer Coordinator position, leadership training and food safe certification for staff and volunteers.

Nanaimo Brain Injury Society, (NBIS) Nanaimo, $10,000

Dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by brain injury, NBIS offers individual support, a peer support program, educational resources and group programs to promote community integration and improve quality of life for brain injury survivors. A capacity grant will assist in growing employee capacity through the design and implementation of a fund development plan. A key component of NBIS’ strategic plan is to increase non-governmental revenue by 30% over the next three years. A fund development plan will help NBIS diversify its revenue sources and prepare for a dedicated fund development role to be added to staff.

Mission Hospice Society, Mission, $5,000
Mission Hospice will grow its volunteers by 30 individuals, providing each with a 40-hour training course delivered by Mission Hospice staff, professional team members, and experienced volunteers. Training includes the philosophy of hospice, palliative care, listening and communication skills, death and dying, comfort measures, grief and loss, community resources, and the role of the Hospice volunteer and other team members.

Saanich Neighbourhood Place, Victoria, $10,000
Maintaining its commitment to fostering a healthy, engaged and committed team, SNP will review and formalize their staff practices, policies, procedures and structures to better welcome, orientate and support staff to work together. This effort will foster alignment with organizational values and processes, support a more effective and supportive workplace, and increase capacity for excellent service delivery. Professional development training will be introduced to enhance the skills and capacity of SNP staff to effectively support their own wellness, mental health and workplace well being to reduce compassion fatigue, burnout, and increase retention. In 2024, approximately 18,000 visits to offered programs were recorded with almost 5,000 individuals accessing various services.

Sardis Doorway for Mothers and Children Society, Chilliwack, $4,500
Sardis Doorway for Mothers & Children Society provides essential programs to women, focusing on single parents or as an under-supported parent, women who have experienced abuse, and young mothers under 21 years old. In 2024, Sardis Doorway served 40 families, including eight young moms under the age of 21. The grant will support the advancement of workshops and learning opportunities for volunteers, staff and facilitators to increase and best support women who have experienced trauma and abuse. Ongoing learning opportunities are important and essential for better outcomes for the families served.

Surrey Hospitals Foundation, Surrey, $10,000
The Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program is the first of its kind in B.C. To work as a Forensic Nurse Examiner specialized training and courses are required. With the growing population in Surrey and south of the Fraser River, comes an increased demand on all healthcare resources, including Forensic Nursing. Education, training and professional development is essential to ensure supports and services are available for the most at risk and vulnerable patients. The total number of cases each year is approximately 500-550.

Vantage Point, Fraser Valley, $4,146 
Vantage Point, BC’s leading nonprofit professional development educators and consultants, will deliver a three-part, cohort-based mini lab for nonprofit leaders, staff, and board members serving the communities of Chilliwack, Mission and Hope. A direct response to identified priorities and challenges, the series will blend practical training with peer connection, offering leaders the tools they need to navigate today’s challenging environment of increased demand, declining capacity, and rising costs.

Established by Tru Cooperative Bank, formerly First West Credit Union in 2022 with the belief that to help communities thrive we need to invest in our charities and their future goals. The fund focuses on supporting initiatives that enhance a charities’ ability to grow its capacity, programs, or services. Grantees are selected from applications submitted through the Foundation’s annual regional community endowment grant cycle.

Supporting youth mental health & wellbeing
Foundry offers services such as mental health and addictions support, drop-in counselling, physical and sexual health care, youth and family peer support and social services for people between the ages of 12 and 24 and their families. Foundry’s integrated approach focuses on five core services in one convenient location: mental health care, substance use services, physical and sexual health care, youth and family peer support, and social services. First West Foundation is proud to have made investments in Foundry locations in Abbotsford, Penticton, Vernon and Kamloops.

Canadian Mental Health Association, Vernon, $25,000
The future home of Foundry Vernon.

Interior Community Services Kamloops, $25,000
The future home of Foundry Kamloops.

First Nations Heath Foundation, $26,490
A grant from the Keeping a Good Thing Growing is an investment in the First Nations Health Foundation’s capacity to deliver essential support to our Indigenous communities. The First Nations Health Foundation is the first and only organization of its kind, embodying a pioneering model of philanthropy and partnership. It is instrumental in bridging funding and knowledge gaps to promote equitable and culturally appropriate healthcare for First Nations peoples across British Columbia.

On the 60th anniversary of Envision Financial and on the 10th anniversary of the Foundation (2006), the Foundation Board created this fund to recognize employees of Envision Financial, a division of Tru Cooperative Bank, formerly First West Credit Union. The fund serves to acknowledge and display appreciation toward the contributions of its team members to the Foundation.

The Fund grants to team member-nominated charities which are reviewed and selected by a Committee of Envision Financial team members. In 2025, $41,000 was granted to the following:

Ann Davis Society, Chilliwack, $5,000
Provides education, prevention and support services to those affected by abuse and violence.

Canadian Council of Provincial and Territorial Sport Federations, $1,000
The voice of amateur sport on our provinces and territories, promoting the benefits of sport participation and achievement, health, and personal development.

Mackie’s Place Youth Social House, Surrey, $5,000
Fostering a supportive community and build healthy relationships with at-risk youth, helping them realize their immense potential by overcoming cycles of poverty, trauma, and addiction.

Raphael Family Support Foundation, Langley, $5,000
Supporting families that are facing hardship in our community, by providing a space where they feel connected and welcomed each week as they pick up some healthy and fresh food.

SPCA Abbotsford, $1,000
Provide protection and care for vulnerable animals as well as Rehabilitation for future forever home placement.

SPCA, Chilliwack, $1,000
The BC SPCA rescues animals from abuse and works to protect and enhance the quality of life for all animals in BC.

Storehouse Community Hub Society, Cloverdale, $5,000
The Cloverdale Community Kitchen (CCK) exists to build a strong and healthy community with a focus on alleviating poverty in Cloverdale, Surrey, and Langley.

Surrey Women’s Centre, Surrey, $8,000
Provides free, counseling, resources and confidential services for Surrey women working in collaboration with the medical and justice communities for the safety and care of survivors and children.

SPCA, Chilliwack, $1,000
The BC SPCA rescues animals from abuse and works to protect and enhance the quality of life for all animals in BC.

Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society, Fraser Valley, $5,000
Dedicated team of volunteer drivers and dispatchers offer peace of mind for patients who may not have the means to drive to and from essential cancer treatments and cancer related medical appointments.

West Coast Kids Cancer Foundation, Fraser Valley, $5,000
Children in B.C. and their families have the meaningful, comprehensive support they need to navigate their journeys with childhood cancer and blood disorders.