Culture Neighbourhood Small Grants

You can receive $500 to lead a project that celebrates diversity and builds inclusion in your community.

The 2022 Neighbourhood Small Grants program in Nanaimo, Ladysmith, Cedar, Gabriola Island and Lantzville is culture-themed, with a special focus on celebrating Ukrainian culture and supporting displaced Ukrainians.

Neighbourhood Small Grants are for individuals, not organizations.

Learn more at www.nanaimofoundation.com/neighbourhood-small-grants

We’re hiring!

Communications & Community Engagement Coordinator

Be a part of making a meaningful difference in your community.

Nanaimo Foundation inspires gifts of energy, ideas, time and money to address local needs and make lasting impacts in our community. We are the community foundation of Nanaimo, Ladysmith, Cedar, Gabriola Island and Lantzville. We are connected to our communities and strategically support local charities. At Nanaimo Foundation, we simplify and enhance charitable giving and work with generous donors to build permanent legacies to do good now and forever.

Nanaimo Foundation is seeking a skilled storyteller, communications specialist and relationship builder to support our next phase of growth.

Our ideal candidate enjoys connecting with people and is adept at inspiring others with excellent communication skills. You are up for a challenge, driven by doing work that matters and thrive at setting and delivering on goals. You succeed in a position that offers freedom to work on your own terms and embrace the responsibility that comes with that.

As Communications & Community Engagement Coordinator, you will be an integral member of our small team and will report to and work closely with the Executive Director. You will primarily focus on developing and implementing innovative communications strategies, and secondly engage donors and support the Foundation’s fundraising and grantmaking.

Your responsibilities will include:

Communications

  • With guidance from the Executive Director, develop and implement strategic marketing and communications plans
  • Collect story content, including grant recipient narratives, and write grantee and impact stories
  • Write, edit and design marketing and stewardship materials, including requests for support, sponsorship packages, information packages, annual reports and donor impact reports
  • Write and distribute press releases and media advisories
  • Maintain website appearance and content
  • Manage social media
  • Write and distribute newsletters
  • Oversee the production of video content
  • Assist with the creation of the Nanaimo Foundation Vital Signs® report

Fund Development

  • Cultivate and nurture relationships with corporate donors and sponsors
  • Assist with the coordination of the annual Give Where You Live Social fundraising event
  • Organize small donor stewardship events
  • Perform administrative fundraising duties, such as logging donations, issuing tax receipts and maintaining the donor database
  • Handwrite cards to donors and sponsors
  • Occasionally write requests for grants and grant reports for funds received

Grantmaking

  • Lead the Nanaimo Foundation Neighbourhood Small Grants program once or twice per year

Skills, knowledge and experience required to succeed as our Communications & Community Engagement Coordinator are:

  • Proven persuasive writing skills
  • Solid interpersonal communication skills
  • Strong relationship building abilities with a demonstrated success in cultivating and maintaining relationships
  • Experience in developing marketing and communications copy
  • Experience in creating and implementing strategic marketing and communications plans
  • Proficient with social media platforms
  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Office
  • Ability to efficiently organize and manage diverse projects while meeting multiple deadlines
  • Thorough attention to all details
  • Ability to collaborate and complete projects independently
  • A willingness to learn

Additional skills, knowledge and experience that would be an asset in this role include:

  • Digital design skills
  • Familiarity with Canva, Mailchimp, WordPress and Adobe Creative Suite
  • Fundraising and/or sales experience
  • An understanding of SEO and Google Analytics
  • Photography and videography experience
  • Community knowledge

Nanaimo Foundation supports employees creating work schedules and work models that work best for them and the organization. We value in-person collaboration and opportunities for employees to successfully manage tasks and responsibilities via remote work.

This position is permanent and 30 hours per week, with a starting salary of $37,500 – $42,600 per year.

Benefits include:

  • Three weeks vacation per calendar year + 15 paid holiday days per calendar year
  • Up to 12 paid sick days per calendar year
  • Health benefits after three months
  • Flexible schedule
  • Optional hybrid in-office and remote work model

Interested candidates are invited to apply by email to [email protected]

Please include a cover letter with your resume clearly explaining why you are the best person for this position to the attention of Laurie Bienert, Executive Director.

Applicants are encouraged to apply early as resumes will be reviewed as they are received.

Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination is required as a condition of employment. An accommodation will be made as legislated by the BC Human Rights Code.

We thank all who have expressed interest in this position but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Nanaimo Foundation is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, justice, anti-oppression and Reconciliation.

We are grateful to live and work on the beautiful traditional and unceded lands of the Snaw-naw-as, Snuneymuxw and Stz’uminus First Nations.

Culture Neighbourhood Small Grants

Anyone living in Nanaimo, Ladysmith, Cedar, Gabriola Island and Lantzville can receive a $500 Culture Neighbourhood Small Grant to lead a project that celebrates diversity and builds inclusion.

Magic happens when neighbours connect. It forms friendships, and makes our communities safer and more vibrant. The Neighbourhood Small Grants (NSG) program helps residents of any age, experience, or background take part in building community.

Learn more here: www.nanaimofoundation.com/neighbourhood-small-grants

Random Acts of Kindness

Join Nanaimo Foundation in spreading and celebrating kindness

February 17th is national Random Acts of Kindness Day. This year, more than ever, it is important to spread and celebrate kindness across our community. During Random Acts of Kindness Week, Nanaimo Foundation is encouraging acts of kindness, recognizing the kindness of essential workers, and supporting local businesses.

Throughout Random Acts of Kindness Week, February 14th to 20th, Nanaimo Foundation is inviting people from Nanaimo, Ladysmith, Cedar, Gabriola Island and Lantzville to:

  • Share their acts of kindness on social media and be entered to win a gift certificate from a local shop.
  • Nominate an essential worker who will be entered to win a Kindness Package full of goods from local stores and vendors.

To be eligible to win a gift card from a shop local to the central Vancouver Island area, just share on social media what you’re doing to spread kindness with the hashtag #midVIkindness and tag Nanaimo Foundation.

To nominate an essential worker who will be entered to win a Kindness Package, share on social media why you are nominating them with the hashtag #midVIkindness and tag Nanaimo Foundation.

Prizes will be drawn on February 21st.


Thank you for your kindness!

Ways to Spread Kindness

Call a Loved One
Keep in touch with a friend of family member who you haven’t spoken to recently. For COVID-19 safe engagements, plan a virtual movie night!

Do Something for Yourself
Cook your favourite dinner or go for a walk at your favourite local park. Do something that makes you feel happy.

Pay it Forward
Purchase the coffee of the person behind you in line or buy a gift card and leave it there for the next person to use.

Pay Someone a Compliment
Compliment someone on one of their talents.

Donate Items
Donate clothes and other clean, gently used items to organizations that are currently accepting them.

Share Kind Notes
Leaving a friendly note on someone’s windshield or at a friend’s front door can help to uplift their day.

Utilize Social Media
Share uplifting quotations, stories, or photos on your social media page- you never know it might make smile!

Support Local
Show kindness to your favourite local business through utilizing their products or supporting them on social media.

Share Your Ideas
If you are paying it forward in a unique way, share it with others so that they can take part in Random Acts of Kindness week as well!

Leave a Review for Your Favourite Business
Adding a positive review to your favourite store or restaurant telling everyone how great they are is a good way to leave a lasting impact.

Donate to Your Local Foodbank
Donating any non-perishable items to your local foodbank is a fantastic way to spread random acts of kindness that help the entire community.

Check in With Your Colleagues
Send your coworkers or colleagues a positive email or text letting them know you appreciate all their hard work.

Tell Your Loved Ones How Much They Mean to You
Send a note, text, email, or have a verbal conversation telling your loved ones how important they are to you.

Make Breakfast in Bed
Surprise the people you live with by waking them with breakfast in bed one morning. Or make yourself your favourite breakfast and eat it end bed!

Check in With Your Neighbours
Post a note through your neighbour’s door to check in with them, particularly if they are living alone.

Bring Up Special Moments
Reminisce with family members or friends about a moment that made you all feel thankful to be together.

Use Your Talents
If you love drawing, draw someone a picture of something that makes them happy. Or, if you are particularly good at a school subject, offer a friend help in that class.

Thank an Essential Worker
Show gratitude for first responders, folks in medical fields, and those organizing food banks or working at grocery stories. You can do this by message, phone call, or e-card.

Spend Time with Your Pets
On a nice day, go for a long walk or play with your pets. Checking in on your neighbours to ask if they need help walking their dogs goes a long way, too!

Take Care of Your Mental Health
If you are able, take advantage of your time at home and complete projects like cleaning, planting, and organizing.

Walk to Work or School
Be kind to the environment by biking or walking to your destination.

Wave or Say Hello to a Stranger
Lately more than ever, people are feeling lonely. Connect with others by waving or saying hello.

Give an Anonymous Gift
Send flowers or treats anonymously to someone who has been working hard lately.

Go to Your Favourite Spot
If there is a special place that makes you feel calm and happy, spend time there with yourself.

Use a Reusable Travel Mug
Help the environment by switching to a reusable coffee mug for your coffees and teas.

Set Personal Goals
Everyone has goals for themselves, and now is a great time to dedicate yourself to achieving them.

Set up a Birdhouse
Buy or build a birdhouse to leave outside to support our wildlife during the colder seasons.

Donate Used Books
Most libraries accept gently used books and would be happy to receive them to let others read!

Send a Postcard
Getting mail is exciting to a lot of people, and a postcard showcasing the beauty of your local area is a great and easy gift to give.

Be a Welcoming Neighbour
If you see someone new has moved into your neighbourhood, make sure to tell them hello and make them feel welcomed!

Thriving Non Profits

Thriving Non Profits is a six-month cohort program for non-profit and charitable organizations looking to increase their long-term financial sustainability and deepen their impact by developing a range of strategies.

Click on the image to learn more

It is very easy to fall into a silo when you are trying to fund your organization day to day and this cohort experience allows you to break away from that constraint and think more along a long-term horizon.” – Robert Bateman Foundation, Thriving Non Profits former participant

GivingTuesday – Dec 1, 2020

GivingTuesday is a global movement for giving. On December 1st, join your neighbours, your fellow Canadians, people from around the globe and do one thing to help those struggling due to COVID-19.

Volunteer your time. Donate to your favourite organization. Share new items with those in need.

On GivingTuesday 2020, we encourage gifts to the Nanaimo Community Response Fund to support many local charities in their work to provide relief to the critical needs of our community due to COVID-19.

Click here to make your gift to the Nanaimo Community Response Fund

Send a Charity Gift Card to a loved one

With a CanadaHelps Charity Gift Card, you can send a personalized card in whatever value you choose and your loved one chooses the charity who should receive the funds. To learn more, click here.

GivingTuesday.ca

For more ideas on ways to give this GivingTuesday, visit www.givingtuesday.ca

GivingTuesday 2020

GivingTuesday is a global movement for giving. On December 1st, join your neighbours, your fellow Canadians, people from around the globe and do one thing to help those struggling due to COVID-19.

Volunteer your time. Donate to your favourite organization. Share new items with those in need.

On GivingTuesday 2020, we encourage gifts to the Nanaimo Community Response Fund to support many local charities in their work to provide relief to the critical needs of our community due to COVID-19.

Click here to make your gift.

Activating Emergency Community Support Fund alongside communities coast to coast to coast

Launched on May 19, 2020, the Government of Canada’s new Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF) aims to provide additional and much-needed assistance to charities and non-profit organizations serving vulnerable populations. We are proud to be working with the Government of Canada to deliver funding locally to ensure that our most vulnerable citizens are safe and healthy. Through the ECSF, we will be investing more than $200,000 towards local charities and qualified donees supporting vulnerable populations.

Click here for full details.