Sunshine Coast Community Foundation (SCCF) is awarding more than $200,000 in grants in 2017, more than in any year in the past. At its annual granting ceremony in Sechelt on June 20, the Foundation handed out 32 cheques to support the community projects of 20 different organizations.
“The goal of the Community Foundation is to build sustainable sources of revenue for local charities,” Vicki Dobbyn, chair of the Foundation’s board, said. “This year, between earnings on the Foundation’s endowed funds and contributions from Community Foundations of Canada’s Fund for Canada’s 150th, we were able to give out almost $50,000 more than in 2016.”
Grants from the Foundation support projects undertaken by registered charities in the fields of social development; arts, culture and heritage; education; environment; health, wellness and safety; and sports and recreation.
For example, Halfmoon Bay Childcare and Jack and Jill Preschool in Gibsons both received grants for upgrades to their facilities. A grant to Sunshine Coast Conservation Association will advance the likelihood of solar-powered energy on the Coast. The needs of hungry children are being addressed through a grant to Christian Life Assembly’s school lunch program. Sunshine Coast Arts Council now has funding to make a large fine arts printer available to Coast artists.
“These are just a few examples of the projects the Foundation is supporting in 2017,” Dobbyn said. “The generosity of many local donors makes this possible.”
The Foundation receives donations and invests funds to generate earnings that are distributed back into the community as grants. Since 2005, the Foundation has awarded more than $800,000 in grants.
– Submitted
