Grant Seekers

Okanagan
Prosperity Fund

New funding opportunity for charities and non-profits working to address poverty reduction and social inclusion in British Columbia.

Overview

The Community Prosperity Fund

The Community Prosperity Fund is a $25 million investment from the Government of B.C. that advances poverty reduction and social inclusion—announced on the inaugural B.C. Nonprofit Day. 

The Community Prosperity Fund is part of the Government of B.C.’s commitment to supporting the non-profit sector and empowering local communities to make local decisions through local community foundations. 

The Okanagan Prosperity Fund

Community Foundation North Okanagan, Central Okanagan Foundation, and Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen are uniting resources to create lasting change. By collaborating on funding through the Okanagan Prosperity Fund, we are focusing on upstream solutions that address the root causes of poverty, ensuring that social inclusion and opportunity are within reach for all in our communities.

This funding is intended to create deep impact through providing larger grants to a smaller number of organizations that are closely aligned with our vision for long-term change and provide upstream solutions for poverty and social inclusion.

Capacity Enhancement: Impact Measurement

Organizations receiving these grant funds will also be provided with the option of receiving additional support specifically for impact measurement training. This training is crucial; understanding and demonstrating the true impact of their work allows organizations to refine their strategies and better serve their communities.

How the funding will be distributed by CFNO

CFNO’s annual Smart & Caring Community Grants program accepted applications throughout March 2024 and received numerous grant applications that fit the eligibility requirements surrounding poverty reduction and social inclusion. A number of organizations that applied to the March grant cycle were awarded funding from the Okanagan Prosperity Fund. CFNO was able to increase the amount of the grant or approve a grant that may have otherwise been declined due to limited funds. 

Timeline for distribution of remaining funds:

For those organizations that didn’t apply in March, CFNO will be accepting Letters of Intent (LOI) for the remaining funds in August 26 to September 13, 2024. 

  • August 26: LOI opens

  • September 13: LOI closes

  • September 13-27: LOIs reviewed

  • September 30: Full application opens for invited organizations

  • October 18: applications close

  • October 18- November 8: Applications reviewed

  • November 15: Notifications

  • January 2025: Grant payments and impact measurement cohort begins

  • June 30, 2027: Grant activities must end

How to Apply

Download a copy of the Fund Guidelines.

Organizations may submit one LOI for funding. The LOI will be accepted through online portals which can be accessed through each participating foundation’s website, linked below. Those organizations that are invited to submit a full application will use the same portal.

Apply in the region where you primarily offer services. Click below to be directed to the application portal:

What is Poverty Reduction & Social Inclusion?

  • Investing in Social Inclusion – Addressing reconciliation, gender diversity

  • Improving Income Supports – Support access to healthy foods, combating food insecurity

  • More opportunities, more jobs – protecting and supporting foreign workers, people with disabilities to find jobs

  • Expanding access to education and training – Language and skills training

  • Supporting families, children and youth – childcare, youth programming, caregiving

  • More affordable housing for more people – supporting the creation of affordable housing, action on homelessness

  • Funding can support operational expenses or project delivery

    • Operational expenses that contribute to your organizations long-term resiliency

    • Projects that address community needs

Eligible Activities

Eligible organizations can apply to the Okanagan Prosperity Fund for operational expenses or project delivery. You get to decide what would benefit your organization most so that you can advance your activities and the incredible work that benefits your community.

This program welcomes collaborative applications. Preference will be given to projects, programs or organizations working on upstream solutions to social inclusion and/or poverty reduction.

Activity Examples:

  • A charity that focuses on jobs for new immigrants is applying so they can continue to pay their rent and operate out of the same building

  • An Indigenous-serving organization is applying to develop a coalition on food security in their region

Ineligible Activities

  • Activities that take place outside of the North, Central, or South Okanagan Similkameen

  • Major capital activities, including building infrastructure, purchasing land or buildings

  • Partisan, political or election-related activities

  • Activities that generate profit, including direct fundraising activities or events

  • Activities that benefit only private interests

  • Activities that undermine, restrict or infringe on human rights legally protected in Canada

  • Sub-granting activities

  • Sponsorship, endowment funds and donations

Additional Support

Community Foundation North Okanagan:
Leanne Hammond
250-542-8655
Leanne@cfno.org      

 

Central Okanagan Foundation:
Abbie Norrish
250-861-6160 ext 101
abbie@centralokanaganfoundation.org

 

Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen:
Kevin Ronaghan
236-500-1243 
kevinronaghan@cfso.net

Explore the Community Prosperity Fund map to find out which community foundations are participating in the open call or distributing funds through other opportunities.