Nanaimo Foundation and Kw’umut Lelum Foundation fund 12 community service organizations across Nanaimo and Cowichan through the Community Prosperity Fund
Today, Nanaimo Foundation is pleased to announce $635,000 in funding to support nine projects in Nanaimo, Ladysmith, Cedar, Gabriola Island, and Lantzville through the Government of British Columbia’s Community Prosperity Fund. In addition to the projects funded in the Nanaimo region, Nanaimo Foundation has partnered with Kw’umut Lelum Foundation to deliver $200,000 in funding to three organizations in the Cowichan Valley. This brings the total amount funded to $835,000.
The Community Prosperity Fund is a $25 million investment from the Government of B.C. that advances poverty reduction and social inclusion. The fund was announced on the inaugural B.C. Nonprofit Recognition Day. This fund is part of the Government of B.C.’s commitment to supporting the non-profit sector and empowering local communities to make decisions about what would most benefit them and their communities.
Through the Community Prosperity Fund, funded recipients have an opportunity to implement the funding over up to three years and support operational expenses or project delivery. The Community Prosperity Fund supports vital non-profits that serve communities in B.C. Recipients funded are important partners, often providing services to those made vulnerable in all corners of British Columbia.
The following projects are being supported:
$150,000.00 to the Nanaimo Association for Community Living
to support administration costs including improving website to increase accessibility, purchasing software to update counselling programs, and support for staffing costs.
$50,000.00 to the Cedar Opportunities BC Society (Coco Cafe)
to increase work hours for staff, and to develop essential operational and training systems.
$50,000.00 to the Growing Opportunities Farm Community Cooperative
to support planning and organizational development including hiring administrative leadership.
$51,000.00 to the Gabriola Hope Centre
to facilitate therapies for children with disabilities, which will allow children to access services on-site.
$57,000.00 to the Ladysmith Family and Friends Society
to add a staff position focused on food equity/security and volunteer coordination.
$31,500.00 to Nanaimo Foodshare Society
to provide food access programs aimed at reducing the cost of food, free home-made meals, and education.
$4,000.00 to Altrusa
to provide newborn needs for low income families.
$16,500.00 to Island Deaf and Hard of Hearing Centre
to support wages for Audiologist and clinic staff who will deliver the Sound of Change program, as well as new domes and ear molds, batteries, and clinic supplies.
$23,280 to Cowichan Hospice Society
for Grief Support Training for professionals working with children and youth.
$70,000 to Chemainus Harvest House
to support operational and staff expenses.
$106,720 to Nourish Cowichan
to support hiring urgently needed additional staff to ensure effective, equitable service delivery.
Nanaimo Foundation is especially grateful to Sheila Malcomson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction for her efforts in making this vital funding possible.