Ladysmith Community Engagement Presentation & Discussion

Did you know that the geographical area served by the Nanaimo Foundation includes the community of Ladysmith? In recent years, we have provided grants to organizations such as the Ladysmith Resources Centre Association, the Ladysmith Boys & Girls Club, and the Ladysmith Kinsmen.  Our mission is to steward the gifts of energy, ideas, time, and money to make meaningful and lasting impacts in our community.  With a vision for a healthy, vibrant, livable and sustainable community—a community that is able to include, and offer opportunities to, everyone.

The Nanaimo Foundation recognizes the unique spirit of Ladysmith and wants to deepen our efforts to help build an even stronger community. Recently, we were approached by Bruce Whittington, an active member of the Ladysmith community, and together we have been exploring ways that we can increase our impact in Ladysmith. To that end, we are hosting a presentation and discussion on building vibrancy, health, and resiliency in the Town of Ladysmith on November 30th at Eagles Hall. We hope you will attend!

Monday, November 30th
7:00 pm – 8: 00pm
Eagles Hall
921 – 1st Ave, Ladysmith

For more information, please contact Laurie Bienert, Development Officer, Nanaimo Foundation at 250.667.4292 or [email protected]

Ladysmith Community Engagement Presentation & Discussion

 

Nanaimo’s Vital Signs® 2015 Released

The Nanaimo Foundation, alongside twenty-seven other community foundations across Canada launched their ‪Vital Signs‬ reports on October 6th, 2015!

Nanaimo’s Vital Signs® is a community check-up that evaluates our city as a place to live, learn, work and grow. Measuring the health of our city, this report assigns grades in a number of areas that are critical to Nanaimo’s growth and vitality. Information included in this report has been gathered in cooperation with numerous sources that are researching and collecting data on Nanaimo.

Download Nanaimo’s 2015 Vital Signs Report

New this year, thanks to our research partners at the Social Planning and Research Council of BC (SPARC BC) you can download the source documents for this year’s report.

Nanaimo Vital Signs Source Document 2015

Nanaimo’s Vital Signs Survey Closes Friday

Just a few days left to participate in this year’s survey!

Nanaimo’s Vital Signs® is a community check-up that evaluates our city as a place to live, learn, work and grow. This report assigns grades in a number of areas that are critical to Nanaimo’s growth and vitality, and helps us and other community organizations decide where to direct grants and financial support.

Building on the success of our 2014 Vital Signs Report, the Nanaimo Foundation, United Way Central & Northern Vancouver Island, the City of Nanaimo, and Island Savings invite you to weigh in on ten critical issue areas. This survey will take less than 10 minutes to complete and no personal information will be kept and you will not be contacted as a result of completing this survey.

Participants can also enter to win one of two CCM Alpine 24″ Full Suspension Mountain Bikes (valued at $500 each), thanks to Tom Harris and to Carl Head of Canadian Tire – Nanaimo North Town Centre. Just complete the survey and fill out the prize information section at the end of the survey.

IMG_1858 copy

A huge thank you to those who have already participated in the survey. Please help us with one final push and share this email with your friends, colleagues, students, and community groups; every voice is valuable.

(Photo: Kezia Wright, Sales Associate, Tim Mawdsley, Chair, Nanaimo Vital Signs, Marc Telosky, Sports Manager)

PacificSport VI Partners Team Up on Aboriginal Sport Initiative

pacific sport goodJuly 7, 2015 (Nanaimo): PacificSport Vancouver Island, Young Professionals of Nanaimo, and the BC Aboriginal Sport Recreation and Physical Activity Partners Council, together with the Nanaimo Foundation have teamed up, collectively raising $40,000 for an Aboriginal Sport Program in Nanaimo. (via www.pacificsportvi.com)

Aboriginal participants are noticeably underrepresented in sport and physical activity in Canada and Nanaimo is no different. Registration fees and transportation are identified as the two key barriers to participation for Nanaimo’s Aboriginal children according to community consultations with seven Nanaimo area Aboriginal stakeholders including; Tillicum Lelum Friendship Centre, Snuneymuxw First Nation, Stz’uminus First Nation, Sna-naw-as First Nation, Nanaimo Youth Services, Mid-Island Metis Nation, and Kwumut Lelum Family Services. All of whom will be included in the project roll-out.

The program is focused on the introduction of grass roots programs that will address access issues within the Aboriginal community of Nanaimo. Programs and activities will be based on ‘Physical Literacy’ principles to address deficiencies common to all children in Canada.  Children need to learn how to read and write; just as important is learning how their bodies move through fundamental movement skills.  This is physical literacy and it is a critical building block for staying active for Life!

“The Aboriginal Community makes up 5% of the region’s population, however they are disproportionately underrepresented in mainstream community sport,” says Drew Cooper, General Manager of PacificSport Vancouver Island.  “PacificSport saw this as a fantastic way to collaborate in order to increase capacity within the Aboriginal sport community while building physical literacy opportunity for kids”.

“The Nanaimo Foundation is extremely pleased to provide this matching grant to help bring sport and philanthropy together, creating a stronger, healthier and more resilient community”, says Ted Carson, Chair of the Nanaimo Foundation. “We will work together on creating success in enhancing the quality and quantity of physical activity opportunities within the Aboriginal community, removing barriers to physical engagement and improving the health and well-being of our youth”.

Delivered in four phases the project will include; Training for Aboriginal Sport Leaders, Family Drop -in Activities, Summer Camps for Kids, and House League System for Soccer and Lacrosse with a focus on skill development.

“The Young Professionals of Nanaimo (YPN) have been very engaged in this project right from the very beginning stage,” said Daniel Martinez, YPN President.  “We participated in the community consultation process and the results were eye opening! YPN is thrilled to have participated in securing funds for this initiative”.

About Pacific Sport
Established in 1995, PacificSport Vancouver Island is a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing sport participation for all ages and abilities through the Canadian Sport for Life (CS4L) program.  From grassroots, community sport day camps to high performance athlete development, PacificSport Vancouver Island inspires and engages our community to excel and be active for life.

About the Nanaimo Foundation
Since 1982, the Nanaimo Foundation has been connecting visionary donors with causes that truly matter. Every year, with our donors, we help fund capital projects and pilot projects—large and small—in support of areas such as arts and culture, education, children and youth, environment, animal welfare, community health and social development. We collaborate with other charities and non-profits to provide funding for innovative projects to solve larger community issues.

About YPN
The Young Professionals of Nanaimo is a not-for-profit organization working toward creating a vibrant and connected network of Nanaimo’s top young professionals, entrepreneurs and employees.  YPN members represent more than 50 of Nanaimo’s top companies in a variety of industries.

-30-

Media contacts
Jenn Houtby-Ferguson
Phone:  250-713-9849
Email:  [email protected]

Anonymous Donor Gives $500,000 to Foundation

By Robert Barron, Nanaimo Daily News – July 3rd, 2015

A person in Nanaimo who wishes to remain anonymous has donated $500,000 to a number of worthwhile causes.

The money was given to the Nanaimo Foundation, a non-profit community organization that connects donors to charities and other causes in the region, with specific instructions as to where most of the funding is to be directed.

Daniel Martinez, the foundation’s development director, said $200,000 of the funding will go to the new Nanaimo Travellers Lodge 130-bed care facility, and the Nanaimo Foundation will hand over the cheque at the ground-breaking ceremony for the new care facility on Sunday.

He said another $100,000 will be given to the Nanaimo SPCA to help with its plans for a new building, and $10,000 each will be given to the Nanaimo Minor Baseball Association, the Vancouver Island Baseball Institute and Seva Canada, a Vancouver-based charitable organization that fights blindness and helps restores sight.

Martinez said the donor requested that the Nanaimo Foundation determine the best uses for the rest of the funding.

He said it’s not the first time this donor has contributed large amounts of money to the community. Martinez said last year, the donor gave the foundation $300,000, with $100,000 of that earmarked for the Nanaimo Travellers Lodge, another $100,000 to Nanaimo Hospice and the rest of the funding was distributed by the foundation at its own discretion.

“That’s a lot of money for one donor to give to the community in two years and we’re hoping this person will keep the funding coming,” he said.

“I think I have the greatest job in the world because I get to call these organizations and tell them about the donation. They usually can’t believe it. To a small organization like Nanaimo Minor Baseball, a $10,000 donation can accomplish a lot.”

Nanaimo Minor Baseball Receives $10,000

Nanaimo Minor Baseball Receives $10,000

Nanaimo SPCA Receives $10,000

Nanaimo SPCA Receives $100,000

Nanaimo Residents Asked to Speak Up in Second Vital Signs® Survey

Nanaimo, BC – June 22, 2015 – The Nanaimo Foundation is once again asking residents to grade ten critical issue areas relating to quality of life in the Harbour City. This survey provides critical data to the Vital Signs® report, an annual community check-up conducted by the Foundation.

“After the great success of our first Vital Signs report in 2014, we are very excited to be moving forward with another publication this year,” said Tim Mawdsley, Director of Vital Signs with the Nanaimo Foundation. “The information gathered from this survey is an integral part of the final report, and we encourage everyone to participate and share the link with their various networks.”

The Vital Signs® report, presented through a partnership with the Nanaimo Foundation, the United Way Central and Northern Vancouver Island (UWCNVI), the City of Nanaimo, and Island Savings, helps identify Nanaimo’s strengths and highlights areas in need of attention. Information for the report is gathered through a variety of sources, and the results are compiled and presented in a reader-friendly, easy-to-use format to help understand how the community is doing and where it is heading.

Non-profit organizations, civic leaders, individual donors, and citizens can all improve the direction of their volunteerism, business practices, granting, policy-making, and charitable giving, according to Nanaimo Foundation Chairman Ted Carson. “We use the Vital Signs report as a key element in our community development contributions.”

Nanaimo’s Vital Signs Survey will run through until August. Individuals, community groups, local business owners, and students are invited to participate. To complete the survey, please visit www.nanaimofoundation.com/vital-signs. Results from the 2015 Vital Signs® survey and related research will be made available to the public on October 6th, 2015.

-30-

Nanaimo Foundation

Since 1982, the Nanaimo Foundation has been connecting visionary donors with causes that truly matter. Every year, with our donors, we help fund capital projects and pilot projects—large and small—in support of areas such as arts and culture, education, children and youth, environment, animal welfare, community health and social development. We collaborate with other charities and non-profits to provide funding for innovative projects to solve larger community issues.

Island Savings

Island Savings is the fastest-growing financial institution based on Vancouver Island. For over 60 years, Island Savings has offered a complete range of products and services and has contributed to the financial and economic well-being of our members, employees and communities. By investing in local businesses and supporting community organizations, we’re working to make the Islands an even better place to live.

United Way Central and Northern Vancouver Island

Since 1958, United Way Central and Northern Vancouver Island (UWCNVI) has been mobilizing collective action to strengthen our community’s social support network so that every person has access to the help they need during a crisis and for the long term. Thanks to the hard work and generosity of thousands of community heroes, this year UWCNVI invested in 50 charities and 60 programs in the Central Island, Comox Valley and Campbell River.

Take the 2015 Vital Signs® Survey!

What do you think are the greatest issues facing Nanaimo today? Is it transportation? Funding for the arts? Affordable housing? Child care?

If you live or work in the Greater Nanaimo Area (including Ladysmith, Gabriola Island, and Lantzville), take the 2015 Vital Signs® survey and help pinpoint the areas that are critical to improving the quality of life in the harbour city!

Take the survey now!

Nanaimo Foundation Grants $23,000 to Two Local Non-Profits

Nanaimo, BC – June 15, 2015 – The Nanaimo Foundation has distributed $23,000 in grants to two local non-profit organizations. The Nanaimo Family Life Association has received $10,000 and the Gabriola Commons has received $13,000, with these monies to be put towards completing their recent renovation and construction projects.

“Our building is old, run down, tired looking, and quite frankly it didn’t match our goal of wanting to provide comfort and support in an inspirational setting,” said Deborah Hollins, Executive Director of the Nanaimo Family Life Association. “Being an agency dedicated to the healing and well–being of those in our community in need of support, we are aware of the impact that the physical surroundings can have on one’s progress to mental and emotional health. The Nanaimo Foundation has made it possible for us to achieve that goal and to provide those seeking our services with a space that is clean, colorful, and inviting.”

George Szanto, Gabriola Commons volunteer and chair of the grant writing team, expressed his gratitude for the Foundation’s grant—the second grant the Commons has received from the Nanaimo Foundation in five years.

“The first grant was used towards the installation of new plumbing, electricity, and insulation,” Szanto said, “but Island Health required us to install a brand new septic system before we could begin operations. Now, we can install that system, thanks to this second grant.”

Ted Carson, Chairman of the Nanaimo Foundation, congratulated the 2014 Community Grant recipients. “We are extremely pleased to see such an incredible group of dedicated people working and volunteering in these organizations, and the Foundation is thrilled to be able to help support these important community projects.”

Until June 30th, 2015, the Nanaimo Foundation is accepting Letters of Intent from local non-profits seeking funding to assist capital and pilot projects. To find out more on how to obtain a Community Grant, please visit www.nanaimofoundation.com/grants

Gabriola Commons Cheque Presentation

[L-R] George Szanto, Chair, Gabriola Commons
George Hanson, Vice-Chair, Strategic & Grants Director, Nanaimo Foundation

[L-R] Deborah Hollins, Executive Director, Nanaimo Family Life George Hanson, Vice-Chair, Strategic & Grants Director, Nanaimo Foundation

[L-R] Deborah Hollins, Executive Director, Nanaimo Family Life
George Hanson, Vice-Chair, Strategic & Grants Director, Nanaimo Foundation

 

Nanaimo Smart & Caring True Sport Matching Grants Program

Community Foundations of Canada and the True Sport Foundation are joining forces under the Smart & Caring Communities banner to bring sport and philanthropy together to make our communities stronger, healthier and more resilient. The Nanaimo Foundation is excited to partner with True Sport and CFC to award grants to projects in the Nanaimo area, to enhancing the quality and quantity of physical activity opportunities within the Aboriginal community in the region, and remove barriers to physical engagement.

Deadline to submit an application:
April 17th, 2015 at 5pm

Please email applications to the attention of: Daniel Martinez: [email protected]

*No need to mail hard copy

Download the True Sport Smart & Caring Grant application here.

VIU To Award 31 Canadian QE II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships

– Media Release – 

Vancouver Island University (VIU) will award more than $800,000 in prestigious scholarships to 31 undergraduate, graduate and international students through the Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships (QES) program.

“I’m very pleased to announce that VIU will work in partnership with the University of Belize (UB) and community partners in Belize and in Canada, on the new Building Resilience in Coastal Communities (BRICC) project,” said Dr. Graham Pike, Dean of International Education for VIU.

VIU’s Canadian partners include Nanaimo Foundation ($20,000 financial contribution); Parksville-Qualicum Foundation ($12,000 financial contribution), Commonwealth of Learning, K’omoks First Nation and the World Leisure Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Leisure Management at VIU.

Partners in Belize include the University of Belize, Belize Institute for Local Development and the National Association of Village Councils.

With funding from the QES program, VIU will award scholarships to Canadian VIU students at the undergraduate and graduate levels so they can participate in internships or academic study for periods of three to six months in Belize. Scholarships will also be available to students from Belize to complete one of VIU’s six Master’s degree programs. Both inbound and outbound students will be selected based on the contribution of their work to strengthening the resilience of coastal communities.

VIU is among 34 Canadian universities to receive funding for the scholarships through a joint initiative of the Rideau Hall Foundation, Community Foundations of Canada and the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada. The QES program will contribute $499,982 toward the scholarships while VIU and its partners will provide $306,254 cash and in kind, with participating scholars providing $11,625.
“The support that we have garnered from our local Community Foundations will allow us to foster a community of practice in coastal resilience, which is critical to the wellbeing of coastal communities in Belize and on Vancouver Island,” added Dr. Pike. “Each of the partners have committed to active participation in the project, and this involvement will be integral to our success.”

Dr. Ralph Nilson, President and Vice-Chancellor, Vancouver Island University said, “Queen Elizabeth Scholars will activate a dynamic community of young global leaders who will, over the next four years, address pressing issues of critical importance to Belize, Vancouver Island, British Columbia and across the Commonwealth. They will create lasting impacts both at home and abroad through cross-cultural exchanges encompassing international education, discovery and inquiry, and professional experiences.”

Ted Carson, Chair of the Board, Nanaimo Foundation, said,“We’re thrilled that the Nanaimo Foundation has been of service to VIU in attracting this substantial award to create this unique scholarship program. By sending young Canadians overseas to study and bringing international students to our campuses, this visionary program will help build economic and diplomatic and cultural ties that benefit all Canadians.”

Wendy Carmichael, President of the Parksville-Qualicum Community Foundation, said, “Canada’s future is increasingly shaped by global, fast-moving interconnected forces. To understand these challenges, we need a workforce with knowledge of other countries, cultures and languages, and an ability to establish partnerships with colleagues from around the world. This project helps facilitates collaboration by bringing global perspectives, cultures and languages to our campuses. Attracting students from around the world also helps build prosperity in Canada.”

For more information, please contact Jennifer Sills, Manager, Education Abroad at VIU at 250.740.6312 or [email protected]

BACKGROUNDER: Vancouver Island University (VIU) and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships (QE II) program

VIU is among 34 Canadian universities to receive funding for the scholarships through the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships, a joint initiative of the Rideau Hall Foundation, Community Foundations of Canada and the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada.

Research projects by VIU’s Queen Elizabeth Scholars will focus on specific themes of the new Building Resilience in Coastal Communities (BRICC) project including the capacity to foster sustainable economic activity, particularly tourism; management of water in coastal zones, including drinking water; developing and managing parks and protected areas in or near coastal communities; climate change issues; and sustainable aquatic foods and local agricultural production.

Internships, research and project work will be applied or usefully embedded in the ongoing, real-world work of credible local organizations, and linked to ongoing, established national and pan-Commonwealth initiatives. Opportunities for aboriginal students from both countries are an important element of the project.

VIU will host at least one ‘flagship’ Scholar’s event in Belize and in Canada annually, and with resources provided by Community Foundations in our region and with assistance from our Centre of Excellence and Innovation in Learning, and the support of the Commonwealth of Learning, VIU will host annual web conferences that will involve our Belizean and Canadian partners as well as the QE ll Scholars.

VIU chose to partner with the Commonwealth country of Belize because VIU’s region and Belize are facing similar challenges, circumstances and opportunities.

The University of Belize (UB), the Government of Belize, municipalities, and many non-governmental organizations are as focused on coastal resilience issues as VIU is on Vancouver Island.

Belize is English-speaking and geographically and financially accessible to Canadian students, and VIU already has a broad and active network in Belize. The University and UB partnered to deliver a major fisheries project in 1999, and the relationship has broadened to include intercultural learning experiences, exchanges and collaboration.

Over the past 15 years, VIU Geography, Forestry, Education, Biology, Tourism, Physical Education, Geology and Global Studies students have attended field schools or successfully completed valuable internships with local organizations in Belize. Two adjunct faculty in Belize fulfill a coordination and support role with students, faculty and interns.

For more information, contact Jennifer Sills, Manager, Education Abroad at VIU at 250.740.6312 or [email protected]

-30-

MEDIA CONTACT
Marilyn Assaf, Communications Officer, Vancouver Island University P: 250.740.6559 C: 250.618.4596 E: [email protected] Twitter: @VIUNews