Valley First Community Endowment

The 2020 granting cycle is now underway and all applicants have been notified of the status of their application.

Expressions of Interest are open and will be held for review for the 2021 grant cycle. 

The Valley First Community Endowment is funding projects that enhance the resourcefulness and resiliency of individuals in the Okanagan, Thompson and Similkameen regions.  This focus can support programming that improves people's capacity and ability to care for themselves and their families; learn new skills and become resilient in the face of change and challenge and to become resourceful and self-sufficient.

Grant funding is $5,000 - $10,000 per project. Click here for a list of our 2020 Valley First granting.

• Funding is available for a wide range of programs
• Types of projects that will be considered for funding include (but not limited to):
  • Parenting education and support programs
  • Community kitchen programming
  • Food preparation education programs (e.g: senior's teaching the art of canning, or food preparation workshops for immigrant families)
  • Outreach support services
• Please note: funding will not be available to food banks as Valley First currently runs a "Feed the Valley" campaign to raise funds for all the food banks in its communities.

Applications will be considered using the following criteria:

• Preference will be given to projects benefiting the communities in which Valley First operates. (Currently: Penticton, Kelowna, Kamloops, Armstrong, Keremeos, Lumby, Oliver, Princeton, Vernon and West Kelowna)
• Preference is given to projects that build individual or community capacity. For instance, instruction on healthful food preparation on a budget builds individuals' capacity to care for themselves and their families on a budget.
• It is preferred that 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 clearly presented specific projects or programs.
• Projects should benefit many and offer equal access.

Application Process

If you are interested in applying for a grant, please complete an expression of interest form. If your project is a good fit with the Fund's funding focus, your organization will be invited to apply for a grant.