Connecting Community

We make a meaningful and lasting impact through community collaboration. Our goal is to mobilize the gifts of donations and the community’s wealth of ideas and energy to build a lasting legacy.

Our Current Initiatives

  • Generosity is shaping a thriving North Okanagan! Our 2024 Annual Community Report highlights $2.8 million in grants, powerful stories of impact, and the donors making a difference. From supporting vulnerable animals to ensuring seniors can enjoy therapeutic outings, this year’s report showcases how philanthropy is transforming lives.

    Read the full report now!

  • Share Your CFNO Story

    Join us in celebrating this milestone! We invite you to share your CFNO story and be part of our 50th-anniversary commemoration. Click here to submit your experiences and see how you can get involved in shaping the next 50 years of community impact.

  • In celebration of CFNO’s 50th Anniversary, we’re excited to award 50 Neighbourhood Small Grants—one for each year of building community together!

    Do you have a creative idea to bring people together and strengthen connections in your neighbourhood? The Neighbourhood Small Grants program offers up to $500 to help residents of all ages and backgrounds turn their ideas into reality. Whether it's a community garden, a neighbourhood art project, or a local gathering, this is your chance to make a difference!

    📅 Applications open April 1–30, 2025

    Learn more and apply!

  • This is our responsive grant-making program that addresses a wide variety of health, social, cultural, educational, and environmental needs while keeping a pulse on the issue areas that are specific to our North Okanagan region.
    Find out more.

Discover what’s news at CFNO

News
Celebrating 50 Years of Local Impact
Celebrating 50 Years of Local Impact

In 1975, a $500 gift planted the seed for what would become a powerful force for good in the North Okanagan. As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, we honour the legacy of generosity that has shaped our region—and invite you to be part of the next chapter.

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Celebrating Community: The 2024 Annual Community Report is Here
Celebrating Community: The 2024 Annual Community Report is Here

Generosity is shaping a thriving North Okanagan! Our 2024 Annual Community Report highlights $2.8 million in grants, powerful stories of impact, and the donors making a difference. From supporting vulnerable animals to ensuring seniors can enjoy therapeutic outings, this year’s report showcases how philanthropy is transforming lives. • Read the full report now! •

Read More →
Social Finance: Investing in Vernon’s Future
Social Finance: Investing in Vernon’s Future

Discover how social finance is transforming the way we invest in Vernon’s future. Learn how you can align your financial decisions with your values to create lasting impact in areas like sustainability, education, and healthcare. Explore how your investments can do more than grow—they can help build a stronger community for generations to come.

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SilverStar and CFNO’s Donation Matching Campaign
SilverStar and CFNO’s Donation Matching Campaign

The holiday season is a time for giving, and SilverStar Mountain Resort is leading the charge with its Good Food Box Donation Matching Initiative. With every dollar donated being tripled, this campaign is turning small acts of generosity into big impacts, helping families across the North Okanagan access fresh, healthy groceries. Read on to learn how you can make a difference and ensure no one goes hungry this winter.

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Building a Legacy of Community Support: Jim and Anne-Marie Kanester’s Impact Through CFNO
Building a Legacy of Community Support: Jim and Anne-Marie Kanester’s Impact Through CFNO

Discover how Jim and Anne-Marie Kanester are transforming lives in the North Okanagan through scholarships and support for local organizations. From helping students pursue post-secondary dreams to establishing funds for cultural and environmental causes, their story showcases the power of giving back.

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Building a Healthier, More Inclusive North Okanagan 
Building a Healthier, More Inclusive North Okanagan 

The latest Vital Signs report highlights pressing issues such as affordable housing, mental health, and environmental challenges. With new developments underway and local initiatives addressing mental wellness and climate resilience, CFNO is partnering with organizations to create lasting impact.

Read More →

Since our inception in 1975, we have supported charities in the North Okanagan through $16.6 million in grants, by convening and collaborating on large-scale community projects and incubating small grassroots programs.

Make a donation.

You believe in a better world, and you want to help make it happen. At Community Foundation North Okanagan, we share your optimism. We believe in the power of giving and, with your help, we can make a meaningful and lasting impact in our communities — together.
Your donation truly makes a difference.