As any local charity or non-profit knows, grants make the programs happen.
The Squamish Community Foundation (SCF) recently announced it is helping 11 such groups to the tune of $22,350 total in funding.
According to a SCF news release, the list of recipients chosen by an independent grants committee was finalized last month.
The foundation also granted $2,500 in scholarship funds.
Programs supported include the Squamish Volunteer Centre Society’s digital skill-building program, which received $3,000; Easter Seals CampSquamish garnered $2,500; Squamish CAN’s educational school gardens got $3,000; Sea to Sky Hospice Society’s bereavement counselling program received $2,000). Other recipients included the Whistler Adaptive Sports Program, Sea to Sky Community Services Child Development, Howe Sound Curling Club, JuniorAchievement BC, Howe Sound Women’s Centre, Squamish River Watershed Society, and OurSquamish.
This year, need outstripped the funds available, according to the release.
For 2021, all qualified funding requests from applicants could be met, in part, due to increased COVID-19-related funding from the District of Squamish.
“We were only able to grant about [one quarter] of what was requested by the community this year," said Suzie Soman, Squamish Community Foundation board chair. “Important projects are left unfunded simply because our endowment funds cannot support the demand.”
The SCF currently manages just over $1 million in endowments.
With an increase of $2.5 million, the SCF could grant up to $100,000 to the Squamish community each year.
“With the income earned on our endowments going directly to community organizations annually, we can have significant long-term impact on the wellbeing of the people of Squamish,” Soman added.
“As we increase the visibility of the SCF in our community, we are attracting more donors who recognize the choice and simplicity we offer while building our endowments and ultimately leading to increased granting to local community charities.”
For more information about the Squamish Community Foundation, go to the organization's website.
