Island Savings Community Endowment

Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for 2024 granting are closed.

EOIs submitted now until December 1, 2024 will be considered for our 2025 grant cycle.

The Island Savings Community Endowment was created by Island Savings Credit Union with a $2 million donation as a lasting legacy for the communities served by Island Savings.

The Island Savings Community Endowment provides grants through two funding streams:

Promoting Resilient and Sustainable Island Communities - grants up to $15,000

Specifically, the Island Savings Community Endowment will enhance Island Savings communities by funding programming that improves people’s capacity and ability to care for themselves and their families; to learn new skills and become resilient in the face of change and challenge; and to become resourceful and self-sufficient. The fund will also support charitable programming that enhances environmental stewardship and sustainability.

Funding will be primarily directed toward preventive, proactive, or educational programs and will also be available for intervention programs to support individuals and families that are in crisis.

Capacity Building Grants - grants up to $10,000

This funding is intended to support internal learning needs which address the growth of a given organization in areas of leadership, planning, teamwork, or organizational development.

Types of projects considered:

• Leadership training
• Volunteer training
• Governance training and consulting
• Strategic and organizational planning support
• Internal workshops
• Infrastructure support (e.g., office equipment)

Click here to see our 2024 Island Savings Community Endowment grant recipients.

Applications will be considered using the following criteria:

• Preference is given to projects benefiting the communities in which Island Savings operates (Brentwood, Chemainus, Duncan, Lake Cowichan, Mill Bay, Nanaimo, Salt Spring Island and Victoria).

• The requesting organization should be contributing toward some of the project costs or should be raising funds from other sources, as the Foundation’s role is one of partnership.
• Proposals should be for specific projects or programs that clearly support the given focus area.
• Projects should benefit many and offer equal access.
• Funding is available to federally-registered charities and "qualified donees" as described by the CRA.

Application Process and Timeline

If you are interested in applying for a grant, please fill out our expression of interest form. If your project fits within our criteria, you will be invited to submit a full application for a grant closer to the application deadline. If your submission falls outside of the Foundation’s granting abilities, you will be contacted. We reach out to community partners on a quarterly schedule.