Connecting Community

In 1975, a $1,000 donation planted the seed for what would become Community Foundation North Okanagan. Fifty years later, that seed has grown into $24.9 million held for this region and $18.3 million granted back to local charities, students, and community projects. Our 50th Anniversary Edition Annual Community Report is here, with donor stories, five decades of history, and the launch of our newest initiative. • Read the full report now •

Janet Armstrong and Lloyd Davies didn't want to wait. In 2024, the Vernon couple created a Flex Fund with CFNO, designed to put generosity to work right away rather than invest it in perpetuity. In a single year, it has distributed more than $170,000 across food security, arts and culture, youth mental health, and affordable housing. Their advice is simple: "If you can give, do."

If you live in the North Okanagan, you don’t need a report to tell you that our community is changing. But data can help us pause and ask what’s shifting, and where we’re seeing resilience, progress, or warning signs. Our 2025 Vital Signs Update is a brief snapshot of the trends shaping quality of life right now—from housing and health care to safety, environment, and belonging.

2026 Smart & Caring Community Grants program will be open from March 1 to March 31, 2026. With approximately $300,000 expected to be available in funding, the Community Foundation is eager to support initiatives that create meaningful change in the North Okanagan region.

Please join us in welcoming Amy Timleck to Community Foundation North Okanagan as our new Donor Relations & Grants Coordinator!

A holiday gathering hosted by the Vernon Chamber of Commerce sparked a ripple effect of generosity, raising $1,000 in cash and food donations for the Salvation Army Vernon Food Bank. Inspired by the moment, Community Foundation North Okanagan matched the funds — and with the help of local donors, turned that match into $5,000 more in support for families in need.