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.

If even 1% more Canadians included a charitable bequest in their Will, billions of dollars could be directed to vital causes. This collective power underscores the importance of every gift, no matter the size.

Giving is not always grand or even visible. It’s in the everyday acts of kindness, the consistent efforts of volunteers, and the quiet dedication of those who care deeply for their neighbours.

Each year we produce an Annual Community Report, to showcase the amazing projects, organizations, and community connections we’ve participated in the past year. Read it now! 🌟

We are pleased to announce a new round of funding for the Impact & Leadership Development Program (ILDP), an initiative designed to empower social entrepreneurs and impact leaders. This program aims to create sustainable and regenerative enterprises that address systemic inequities in our communities.

Thanks to generous support from community-minded individuals and organizations, the Smart & Caring Community Grants Program was able to boost its regular funding! Forty-eight charities accepted grant awards totaling $332,000.

Together, We’re Building a Brighter Future: When you donate to CFNO, you’re not just making a transaction; you’re making a transformation. You’re joining a vibrant community of doers, dreamers, and difference-makers who believe in the power of collective action to shape a brighter future for the North Okanagan. Read 10 reasons why you should join us.

Each spring the Community Foundation gets excited to announce that our Neighbourhood Small Grants program is open to individual community members to apply for grants of up to $500 to plan and host community projects.

Neighbourhood Small Grants is a grassroots program that connects and celebrates our neighbourhoods and communities. Grants are given to anyone with an idea that contributes to their community - no experience is necessary, and applications are quick and simple.

Most not-for-profits, whether they are feeding children or seniors, offering mental health support, helping animals in need, or creating wonderful visual art or music to soothe our souls – start each fiscal year at the same starting point. Zero.

And yet, somehow they persevere. Finding every dollar needed to carry on. Through grants, donations, charging a modest fee for their goods or services, or depending on that core group of volunteers that continually show up to host fundraising events – they hang in there for the greater good.

The doors at the new Greater Vernon Cultural Centre will open soon!

When communities gather to explore innovative art exhibitions, dynamic educational programs, and local heritage the benefit is long-lasting relationships and the potential for continuous personal learning and growth.

The Smart & Caring Community Grants offers grants for organizations that focus on making positive social change and work towards balancing the inequalities in the North Okanagan region.

The prevalence of mood and anxiety disorders, along with depression are higher than both the provincial average and the Interior Health average. Vernon is reporting 37.2 percent of people with mood & anxiety disorders, and 32.5 percent of people report having depression.

This report shows us that many people will be struggling to celebrate this holiday season, and many will be making sacrifices or going without. “The cost of living has increased way beyond my wage. This effects my physical and mental health.”

Donation Matching Opportunity - turn $1 into $3
SilverStar is raising $10K for the Good Food Box - School Box program. Donate now to take advantage of the triple-match opportunity.

Our 2023 Vital Signs reports take a closer look at the communities making up the Okanagan. The reports also demonstrate where we are falling short in providing for our most vulnerable citizens and offer a platform of data and trends to examine for future solutions.

As Nixon Wenger LLP celebrates their 50th anniversary, they’re commemorating this historic milestone by contributing $50,000 to Community Foundation North Okanagan’s Smart & Caring Community Grants Program.

Many people want to improve and invest in our communities but often share the common misconception that you need to be wealthy to make an impact with your legacy. Whatever the size of your estate, you can still contribute to the charities you care about. Chances are your estate is larger than you think it is. At Community Foundation North Okanagan, you can set up a legacy fund in your name with a bequest of $10,000, which will contribute to the causes you care about long after your lifetime.

Community Foundation North Okanagan (CFNO) was proud to host their annual spring grants event on May 25th, 2023, in celebration of the many charities receiving a grant through the program.