Valley First 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 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.

The Valley First Community Endowment provides grants through two funding streams:

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

Types of projects considered for funding include (and 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

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 for our 2024 Valley First Community Endowment grant recipients.

Applications will be considered using the following criteria:

• Preference will be given to projects benefiting the communities in which Valley First operates (Armstrong, Kamloops, Kelowna, Keremeos, Oliver, Penticton, Princeton, Vernon, and West Kelowna).
• 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.
• Funding is 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.
• 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.