A Wide variety of choices The Community Foundation of the South Okanagan distributions program Through its distributions program, the Community Foundation of the South Okanagan is committed to supporting genuine need, by putting seed money in place to nourish opportunities and build on strengths in the communities we serve. This program is the apex of our work - the point at which donors wishes are fulfilled, not-for-profit agencies’ services are strengthened and the quality of community life is enriched. Using endowment income, thousands of dollars are distributed each year in two main ways: allocations and grants. Allocations are an amount sent to a charity in accordance with the specified terms of a donor’s fund agreement. Donors may allocate income from their fund to specific agencies, or participate in the selection of different agencies each year. The Community Foundation also distributes grants. These are discretionary and allow an independent grants advisory committee to carefully review and prioritize applications before recommending to the board which proposals should receive funding. Income to support these grants comes from an ever-growing group of endowments established by donors who wish to support the broader community and leave specific granting decisions to the Community Foundation’s Board of Directors.
Legacy Fund Types Regional and Community Funds provide maximum flexibility in responding to evolving community needs and opportunities over time. After a thorough evaluation by the grants advisory committee, grant distributions from regional and community funds are recommended to the Board for approval. Field of Interest Funds can be established by donors wishing to support a cause or general area of interest. In keeping with the donor’s chosen area of interest, the grants advisory committee researches and evaluates agency proposals and recommends grants for Board approval. Designated Funds enable donors to support one or more specific charitable agencies. Income is allocated to the agency, or group of agencies, designated in the fund agreement. Should a designated agency cease operation or significantly alter its purpose, allocations are re-directed to an agency with a purpose similar to the original one. Donor Advised Funds provide donors with the opportunity to be actively involved in distribution of income from their fund. Each year, the Community Foundation contacts these donors for advice on which agency or project meets their current charitable goals. Donor advised funds are considered an attractive, and cost effective, alternative to the establishment of a private foundation.
Scholarship and Bursary Funds are cultivated by donors wanting to help students receive education or training they might not otherwise be able to access. The recipients are chosen by school selection committees and the scholarship or bursary allocation is sent directly to the student’s chosen post-secondary institution. Agency Endowment Funds are established by charitable organizations wanting to cultivate a source of sustained income for their agency. Income is allocated back to the fund holder annually. These open funds may also be contributed to at any time, in any amount, by anyone interested in supporting the charity.
Applying for a Grant
Grants are considered with vision and care to encourage the very best in a broad range of region-wide charitable activities encompassing areas of interest such as arts and culture, social services, sports and recreation, animal welfare, education and the environment.
To be eligible for funding from the Community Foundation’s distributions program, recipient agencies must be a registered Canadian charity or qualified donee as defined by the Income Tax Act. In exceptional circumstances, a grant may be awarded to an agency, acting as a sponsor for an organization, that is not registered but wishes to carry out a charitable activity.
Together, these two types of distributions reflect the Community Foundation’s commitment to connecting people to giving in ways that matters most to them.
While the generosity of donors may be extended to any charity they choose to allocate income from their fund to, programs offered by grant applicant agencies must be located in, or benefit, a community located within the Regional District of South Okanagan-Similkameen’s geographic boundaries.
Flow Through Funds
Grant proposals that reflect fulfillment of a need in the community, impact a significant number of people, build effective community partnerships, improve organizational effectiveness and demonstrate an ability to continue the project, are encouraged.
The Community Foundation’s distribution program also includes the granting of ‘flow through’ funds. This special program for the distribution of a donation in its entirety is available to fund holders wishing to support their community through our grants’ program.
Agencies who wish to receive a copy of current funding guidelines, find out when the next grants cycle begins, or who have general inquiries about eligibility, are advised to call the executive manager at 250-493-9311. Please visit our website at www.cfso.net and click on the ‘For Grant Seekers’ button at the top of our home page.