Another week, another wave of funding lands in communities across BC

COVID-19 continues to impact the financial stability of our charitable partners; cancelled events and fundraising activities, loss of volunteers, reduced revenue and increased demands on services and programs has caused chaos for many and uncertainty for many more. The Community Response Fund provides grants for program delivery, operational costs, and capacity needs—much needed funding to support the ongoing work of our community partners.

Initially established in May 2020 by First West Foundation to support charities across BC who were impacted by COVID-19, the Community Response Fund granted $497,820 to 49 organizations focused on food security and basic needs supports for youth, families and seniors last year.

And while we may be in a new year, many of the same challenges remain. We are excited to announce First West Foundation re-launched the Community Response Fund in early February with an additional $500,000 available for 2021. First West Foundation and its regional community endowments are proud to grant $130,500 in the second wave of funding from the Community Response Fund for 2021.

Click here to learn about the first wave recipients. 

The following charities are receiving second wave funding:

Valley First
Penticton & District Community Arts Council | Penticton | $5,000
Penticton Seniors' Drop In Centre Society  | Penticton | $10,000
Central Okanagan Region Nutrition Society | Kelowna | $18,000

Island Savings
Birthing Families Matter Society | Duncan | $3,000
Balfour's Friends Foundation | Brentwood Bay | $5,000
Connections Place | Victoria |  $5,000
Crisis Intervention and Public Information Society of Greater Victoria | Victoria | $7,500
Ladysmith Family and Friends Society | Ladysmith | $10,000
Nanaimo Community Kitchens | Nanaimo | $10,000
Oak Bay Volunteer Services Society | Victoria | $10,000

Envision Financial
New View Society | Coquitlam | $10,000
Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Centre of BC | BC wide | $10,000
The Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver | Surrey | $12,000
Ann Davis Transition Society | Chilliwack | $15,000