Gabriola Island Community Fund
Making meaningful and lasting impacts on Gabriola Island.
Nanaimo Foundation serves the community of Gabriola Island by supporting local causes and community needs. We provided the first grant to Gabriola Island in 1985 and have supported charitable organizations in the Gabriola Island community for 34 years. The Gabriola Island Community Fund was established in 2016 by a team of Gabriola residents working together to build a permanent source of community capital, helping do good work today and in the future on Gabriola Island.
Make a Gift to the Gabriola Island Community Fund
To make a contribution to the Gabriola Island Community Fund
By Cheque:
Send cheques to the Nanaimo Foundation at
PO Box 282 Stn A, Nanaimo, BC V9R 5K9
Cheques should be payable to the ‘Tom Harris Fund.’
With Publicly Listed Securities:
Please contact [email protected] or call (250)-816-9723 for information.
The Story of the Gabriola Island Community Fund
The idea of the Gabriola Island Community Fund began with a conversation between Gabriola Island resident Gerry Stefanson and Nanaimo Foundation. Understanding the important role community foundations play in supporting strong communities, Gerry Stefanson approached Nanaimo Foundation and together we began exploring ways to increase support to Gabriola Island. A steering committee of community builders has begun to form. Together we are working towards building a permanent source of community capital, helping do good work today and in the future on Gabriola Island.
Community foundations play a crucial role in supporting the vibrancy, health and resiliency of communities. Across the country we are connected by our national network—the Community Foundations of Canada. Together, we invest in building strong and resilient places to live, work and play. We activate the power of our entire network to expand our impact and tackle some of the most complex community issues over the long-term.
Establishing designated community funds under the umbrella of a community foundation is a practice that has been used across Canada to best serve the needs of each unique community. Case studies conducted by the Community Foundations of Canada on community funds held within BC foundations highlight the benefits of having the privileges of a community foundation without having all the costs and administrative responsibilities. Click here to read these case studies.
Nanaimo Foundation has the capacity to handle all of the administrative responsibilities and investment management related to the Gabriola Island Fund. A community fund can be an opportunity to create a philanthropic vehicle for the Gabriola Island community, and provide different giving alternatives. Donors wishing to bequest a gift to their community can create a personal legacy and benefit the community forever.
The Gabriola Island Community Fund will be guided by a committee of local citizens. The disbursement of grants from the Gabriola Island Fund will be led by the Gabriola Island Advisory Committee. The committee will assess community trends and priorities and make granting recommendations to address current and emerging community needs on Gabriola Island.
The Gabriola Island Community Fund – and all future earnings from the fund – will help ensure that community needs are addressed both now and into the future.
For more information please contact
Daniel Martinez
Nanaimo Foundation
250-618-8354
Gerry Stefanson
Gabriola Island Community Fund Interim Steering Committee
250-247-7450