12 local organizations receive $835,000 in total funding through the Community Prosperity Fund

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:

to support administration costs including improving website to increase accessibility, purchasing software to update counselling programs, and support for staffing costs.

to increase work hours for staff, and to develop essential operational and training systems.

to support planning and organizational development including hiring administrative leadership.

to facilitate therapies for children with disabilities, which will allow children to access services on-site.

to add a staff position focused on food equity/security and volunteer coordination.

to provide food access programs aimed at reducing the cost of food, free home-made meals, and education.

to provide newborn needs for low income families.

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.

for Grief Support Training for professionals working with children and youth.

to support operational and staff expenses.

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.

Leaving a Mark: A Wealth Advisor’s Perspective on Philanthropic Giving

In the realm of wealth management, the desire to make a meaningful impact transcends mere financial success. Robert Sharman, retired Senior Vice President and Senior Wealth Advisor at BMO Nesbitt Burns, delves into the profound motivations behind philanthropic giving in this insightful article. Drawing from his extensive experience, Sharman shares how the pursuit of legacy and the joy of making a difference have shaped his career and the lives of his clients. Through a thoughtful exploration of personal stories and professional insights, this piece reveals the enduring importance of connecting with clients on a deeper level and fostering a culture of giving that extends beyond mere financial gain.

I believe we have more in common than we care to admit. I believe we all want to make a mark, make a difference.

To have our lives mean something.

It is a feeling that is usually in the background. Rarely do we address it head on.

But it shows up in a variety of different ways. Pride in our children. Sense of accomplishment by a job well done. Even the joy in ‘our’ team winning a championship.

My belief is bolstered by the experiences I had before I retired as Senior Vice President and Senior Wealth Advisor at a large national Investment Corporation.

My practice was one of the largest and most profitable in Canada. We had many accomplishments we could brag about, from awards and recognition, to a great team.

But that isn’t why I believe we all share the desire to make a mark.

Yes, my success and the joy I had in seeing the difference we made in the lives of our clients, that “speaks” to my personal sense of making a difference.

But my belief in why most of us share the desire to leave a mark is from what helped us achieve our success.

It wasn’t a hot trading strategy. It wasn’t the fancy office or the sharp clothes. Not the logo or the brand.

It was because we connected with our clients. We proved we cared and that we truly wanted to help.

One of my favourite lines is “if you don’t care where you will end up, any direction will do”.

If we were to connect, we needed to know where the client wanted to “end up”.

Another of my favourites, “we will spend more time planning a two week vacation, than either our retirement or what we want to happen when we die”.

What did we do that made us one of the largest teams in Canada? We asked. We asked questions about where our clients wanted to end up. And we listened.

I believe the most interesting set of questions you can ask someone – especially a successful driven person – is “what do you want to happen after you die?” “What do you want to be your legacy?” “Is there someone or something that is important to you?”

Yes – the majority of the answers revolved helping family. But I was also constantly surprised by some of the answers. Some of the answers I could never of guessed at. And with this insight we forged a sense of understanding of the person that is hard to replicate.

Was it awkward sometimes? Yes – especially in the early days when I was getting started. But like most things, with practice, it became easier until it became second nature. And when it became natural for me to ask, it was easier for the client to participate. If these rare – even odd questions seemed normal in the asking, then it was easier for the client to engage.

But for most – for those who wanted to do more than just help family – the “how” was where we sometimes got bogged down. How to make it happen?

This where the groups like the Nanaimo Foundation helped us keep the momentum going. They could pick up the baton and help keep the conversation moving forward. Yes we stayed in the picture, helping the client think it through and weighing options. We could help facilitate and translate. But the Foundation’s expertise and knowledge proved invaluable. They could help find tangible directions for even the most vague desires.

And the more we engaged with the specialists the more we learned. The more we learned the better we were at launching the process.

Often clients would ask what we were charging for this. I reassured them they were paying for this already in their general fee structure. And the result was referrals. There wasn’t a single thing that generated more growth in our practice than talking to existing clients about their legacy. The referrals would invariably tell us – with irritation in their voice – that their soon to be former advisor never even brought the subject up!

And we made sure to circle back every couple of years. We would revisit the goals and appropriateness of the strategies of giving.

And that’s where it really got fun.

Clients who had reluctantly recognized that they wanted to leave a gift to their communities, within a very short time had expanded their own horizons. They had learned the joy of planning and giving. And they often realized they could do more than they originally imagined.

It was a virtuous circle. They more they did – the more they got pleasure from it. The more pleasure, the more they did. The more they could see the difference they were making. The bigger their mark.

The greater their legacy.

We had front row seats.

They provided me with the proof of my beliefs.

We all want it to mean something. To have made a difference.

To leave a mark.

What will be yours?

Photo credit Blair Mann

Recently retired, Robert Sharman brought over 30 years of experience in delivering tailored wealth advisory solutions. With a strong background in banking, personal trust, and investing, he achieved several notable firsts in his career. He was among the first advisors in British Columbia to integrate his office into a bank branch and the first in Canada to establish a Separately Managed Account with a Socially Responsible Investment mandate. As a pioneer in the BMO Nesbitt Burns Wealth Advisor program, Robert’s innovative and client-focused approach left a lasting impact on the wealth management industry.

We are hiring: Administrative Coordinator

Join our team at Nanaimo Foundation! We’re excited to announce that we’re hiring an Administrative Coordinator to support our mission. If you’re passionate about making a difference and have excellent organizational skills, this could be the perfect opportunity for you. Apply now and be part of a dynamic team dedicated to creating positive change in Nanaimo, Ladysmith, Cedar, Gabriola Island, and Lantzville. See below for more information:

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 in the future.

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Board Chair, the Administrative Coordinator is responsible for providing administrative support to the Board Chair, Director of Philanthropy and Executive Team as well as the Board of Directors generally. This position is required to perform a wide range of administrative and general support duties of a highly responsible and confidential nature. This requires a high level of tact, integrity, and confidentiality due to the frequency of senior-level internal and external contacts and regular exposure to matters of confidential nature. The incumbent coordinates and prepares for meetings and events, researches and summarizes issues, prepares, and updates documents and correspondence, manages calendars, and liaises with internal and external stakeholders in a timely and professional manner.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Below is a partial list of Key Responsibilities.

The Administrative Coordinator delivers a wide range of professional administrative duties and relatively complex administrative, research and coordination.

  • Provides confidential executive administrative support to the Board Chair, Director of Philanthropy and Executive Team as well as the Board of Directors generally.
  • Supports the Executive, Investment, and Governance Committees.
  • Anticipates daily needs, organizes, and compiles accurate briefing materials and ensures security of confidential documents and information.
  • Arranges appointments, receives and responds to or directs telephone and public inquiries, and assists with calendar management as needed.
  • Anticipates information needs and prepares, formats, and compiles reports and correspondence.
  • Organizes management meetings, prepares agendas, and tracks action items for follow-up.
  • Manages the office and coordinates with the bookkeeper.
  • Performs records management for the executive team.
  • Assists with updates to the website and SharePoint portal.
  • Assists with special projects and initiatives.
  • Performs any other department backup functions and other related duties as assigned or required from time to time.

CORE COMPETENCIES REQUIRED FOR THIS ROLE

  • Ability to exercise mature judgement regarding confidential and sensitive information.
  • Highly organized with a high degree of attention to detail.
  • Ability to multi-task.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills.
  • Efficient.
  • Team-oriented worker and ability to work independently.
  • Ability to maintain a high level of accuracy.
  • Strong computer knowledge.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Education:

  • Undergraduate degree or diploma in Public/Business Administration or related field.

Experience:

  • Minimum three years of directly related experience.

The ideal candidate will have:

  • An undergraduate degree or diploma in Public/Business Administration or related field.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other staff, the Board of Directors, Committee Members, fundholders, general public, government agencies, and other user groups.
  • Demonstrated strong and up to date computer/data entry skills, including Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook) with experience writing macros.
  • Effective organizational skills and the ability to prepare and maintain records, reports, correspondence and other materials.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • Ability to work with minimal or no supervision and exercise independent judgment and a high degree of confidentiality.
  • Good working knowledge of the local community.

This role allows for a flexible working arrangement, and Nanaimo Foundation encourages employees to create schedules that suit both their preferences and the organization’s requirements. It is a permanent part time (30 hours a week) position with a starting salary range of $50,000 to $55,000 per year, with extended benefits and three weeks’ vacation per calendar year. The selected candidate will still be actively engaged in organizing and hosting meetings in Nanaimo.

In order to apply, please submit a resume and cover letter to [email protected].

Learn about Neighbourhood Small Grants at our Virtual Info Sessions!

Join us for a virtual Neighbourhood Small Grants Info Session! Discover how you can bring your community-building ideas to life with the support of Neighbourhood Small Grants.

Date: March 20th Time: 12:00pm or 4:00pm

During these sessions, we’ll provide a brief presentation outlining the Neighbourhood Small Grants program, its objectives, and how you can get involved. Following the presentation, there will be a dedicated question and answer period, where you can ask anything about the program, application process, project ideas, and more. The content of both time slots will be the same, so you don’t need to attend both. The Info Sessions should be around 30 minutes in length, depending on how many questions we get.

Whether you’re a seasoned community organizer or someone with a passion for making a difference in your neighbourhood, this session is for you. Join us virtually on March 20th at 12:00pm or 4:00pm to explore the possibilities of creating positive change in your community.

Register for your Info Session here:

Nanaimo Unitarian Shelter is the recipient of $15,000 Give Where You Live grant

Nanaimo Foundation Grants Director David Witty presents $15,000 cheque to Nanaimo Unitarian Shelter Executive Director Paul Manly

Nanaimo Foundation is thrilled to announce a $15,000 grant awarded to the Nanaimo Unitarian Shelter. This contribution will pave the way for a much-needed kitchen and laundry room renovation at the shelter.

Since 2008, the Nanaimo Unitarian Shelter, operated by the First Unitarian Fellowship of Nanaimo, has served as a temporary home for hundreds of adults struggling with poverty including seniors, people with disabilities, low wage workers, students, those suffering with mental illness and people struggling with addictions. The Unitarian Shelter provides a warm refuge, a non-judgemental welcome and hot meals for people experiencing homelessness.

Thanks to donations to our Give Where You Live Fund, we are able to offer grants like this one, empowering local organizations to enhance their services and support those in need. This isn’t just funding; it’s a catalyst for transformative change, fostering a stronger, more resilient Nanaimo.

2024 International Women’s Day Event: Tickets on sale now!

International Women's Day Nanaimo
International Women’s Day Nanaimo

Since 2017, we have been bringing women together to celebrate International Women’s Day. We are looking forward to celebrating with over 250+ women, while showcasing incredible local women owned businesses as we raise funds for charities in support of women and girls.

Join us on March 8, 2024 at Tigh-Na-Mara Resort & Spa in Parksville for an evening of connection and celebration. For more information, check out The Nanaimo Sisterhood Fund.

Nanaimo Foundation donates $50,000 to Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation

Nanaimo Foundation Board Chair, Daniel Martinez, announces $50,000 contribution to High Acuity Unit

On Giving Tuesday, Nanaimo Foundation proudly contributed $50,000 to the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation. This donation will be allocated towards acquiring essential beds for the High Acuity Unit. The new High Acuity Unit will increase the capacity for critical care in the community.

The impact of the $143,157 raised at the Hospital Foundation’s Giving Tuesday event was magnified by an extraordinary $100,000 anonymous donor match, for a total of almost $250,000. The resonance of unity and shared purpose during this initiative was truly extraordinary.

The palpable energy and excitement surrounding the event underscored the community’s commitment to healthcare excellence. This substantial contribution not only addresses immediate needs within the High Acuity Unit but also serves as a testament to the power of collective giving in fostering positive change.

As we celebrate this milestone, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those who participated, demonstrating that when a community comes together, remarkable things happen. Nanaimo Foundation remains dedicated to shaping a healthier and more resilient future for our community.

Give Where You Live Grants: Applications are now open!

As of October 1, 2023, the next Give Where You Live Grants cycle has officially opened for applications.

What are Give Where You Live Grants?

Every year, we provide grants from our Give Where You Live Fund to registered charities serving the communities of Nanaimo, Ladysmith, Cedar, Gabriola Island, and Lantzville. These grants are intended to support projects and programs that are addressing current community needs, particularly those outlined in our 2023 Vital Signs Report.

What types of projects will fit the Give Where You Live Grants guidelines?

Nanaimo Foundation recognizes that the most persistent funding gaps for many local charities are in relation to capital projects and pilot programs. Thus, these represent the entire scope of grants available from the Give Where You Live Fund.

A capital project helps to maintain or improve an asset. Some examples of previous capital projects we have funded through the Give Where You Live program include a washroom renovation, the purchase of a new vehicle, an outdoor classroom, accessibility upgrades, and an electric vehicle charging station. Grants of up to $15,000 are available for capital projects.

Pilot programs are designed to test the effectiveness of a potential full program. A pilot project helps the proponent gain experience and reduce risk on ideas to reveal flaws or to surface new ideas or surprise trends before investing in long-term initiatives. Some examples of previous pilot projects include an art-based program for people living with dementia, conservation lessons for elementary children, and food recovery programs. Grants of up to $10,000 are available for pilot projects.

Click here for more information on eligibility, or contact [email protected].

What is the application process for Give Where You Live Grants?

The first phase of the application process is a letter of intent, which must be submitted to [email protected] no later than November 30, 2023. You’ll hear from us in early 2024 after our Grants Committee has had a chance to meet and review the letters of intent. Organizations selected to proceed to the next phase will be invited to submit a full application and budget. Of those full applications, the Grants Committee will select which charities will receive the grants, with funding going out in the summer. Click here for more information about the application process and timeline.

We look forward to hearing more about the exciting projects in the works this year!

Nanaimo Foundation funds community service organizations through the Community Services Recovery Fund

Nanaimo Foundation is proud to have worked with community foundations across Canada as part of the Community Services Recovery Fund. This fund is a collaboration between the Canadian Red Cross, Community Foundations of Canada, United Way Centraide Canada, and the Government of Canada to provide funding to Community Service Organizations, including non-profit organizations, Indigenous Governing Bodies or Registered Charities. The Community Services Recovery Fund responds to what Community Service Organizations need right now and supports organizations as they adapt to the long-term impacts of the pandemic.

The Community Services Recovery Fund is a one-time investment of $400 million to help community service organizations (charities, non-profits, Indigenous governing bodies) adapt, modernize and be better equipped to improve the efficacy, accessibility and sustainability of the community services that they provide through the pandemic recovery and beyond.

Community Foundations of Canada supported projects that were intended to upgrade Systems and Processes. Nanaimo Foundation received over $450,000 to support organizations in our region.

Nanaimo Foundation is proud to help support the long-term COVID-19 recovery in our community with the Community Services Recovery Fund. This investment will be transformational in strengthening the internal systems and processes of nine local community service organizations, which include charities based in the arts, youth services, food security, and healthcare, and an Indigenous governing body. The grants will help these organizations continue providing vital services and programs in our community.

Daniel Martinez, Nanaimo Foundation Board Chair

The following projects are being supported by Nanaimo Foundation:

$85,338 was invested to fund People for a Healthy Community on Gabriola Island Society for a new contact data management system.

$38,301 was invested to fund Nanaimo Youth Services Association to build a new cloud system that will connect staff and clients.

$18,720 was invested to fund Loaves and Fishes Food Bank to build a new website.

$82,600 was invested to fund Port Theatre Society to automate their IT process.

$15,550 was invested to fund Nanaimo Blues Society to update internal systems and processes.

$10,500 was invested to fund Nanaimo International Jazz Festival to build a new website homepage and revamp social media.

$30,500 was invested to fund Vancouver Island Symphony to develop a 2023-2027 Strategic Plan.

$100,000 was invested to fund Snuneymuxw First Nation to implement HRIS System and Records Management.

For more information, visit Community Services Recovery Fund.

Neighbourhood Small Grants applications are open!

Summer 2023 Neighbourhood Small Grants Cycle Begins

Our 2023 Neighbourhood Small Grants cycle is well underway, and we are receiving many creative and exciting applications on a daily basis. Our Neighbourhood Small Grants committee looks forward to reviewing each one!

Applications are open until June 5, 2023.

What is Neighbourhood Small Grants?

Neighbourhood Small Grants (NSG) are grants of up to $500 for projects that will connect people with their neighbours. Each year, we see so many creative project ideas from little libraries to block parties! Since these are grants, you do not need to pay them back.

These grants are for individuals, not charities. You must live in Nanaimo, Ladysmith, Lantzville, Cedar, or Gabriola Island to apply to our stream of NSG. Many other communities offer NSG, but their application dates will vary.

If you have an idea for an NSG application, visit the link below for more information and to apply!