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(Submitted photo/Community Foundation North Okanagan)
federal program

Community Foundations offer funding to Okanagan groups

Oct 14, 2022 | 6:30 PM

Community Foundations throughout the Okanagan are offering eligible non-profits, charities and other social enterprises the opportunity to access funding through the Investment Readiness Program (IRP).

It’s part of a $50 million national initiative, which is being delivered by Community Foundations of Canada and other support partners and is being funded by the Government of Canada to support and expand social enterprises from coast to coast to coast.

The program is open to a diverse range of organizations and businesses including charities, non-profits, co-ops and social enterprises. The initiative can provide $10,000 to $75,000 to create, manage, and expand social enterprises in order to get ready to accept investment.

“There are so many inspiring community leaders looking to make a difference in new and innovative ways,” said Leanne Hammond, executive director at the Community Foundation North Okanagan. “We are looking forward to seeing the IRP help successful applicants grow their impact even more.”

Officials say the IRP will help social enterprises across Canada grow, and build their capacity to accept investors, and participate in Canada’s growing social finance market.

“Social enterprise teams from coast to coast to coast are demonstrating how business can be done differently. They are daring to rethink business models to create a more sustainable, equitable and inclusive future. Community Foundations of Canada is in awe of the innovative projects we are funding. We look forward to seeing the positive impacts of this next round of projects through the Investment Readiness Program,” said Andrea Dicks, President of Community Foundations of Canada, a national partner in the Investment Readiness Program.

“The chance to partner together on an initiative that has the potential to make such a major impact is incredibly appealing,” explained Judy Neiser, executive director of the Central Okanagan Foundation.

All three community foundations in the Okanagan, (Central Okanagan Foundation, Community Foundation North Okanagan, and Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen), have joined forces to lead this program for the entire southern B.C. region.

As Aaron McRann of the Community Foundation of the South Okanagan summed up, “Whether an organization is a charity, a non-profit, a co-op, or a social purpose business – if its mission is connected to making positive change on social, cultural, or environmental challenges – this program is helping us fund solutions.”

Information on the IRP can be accessed through any of the three Okanagan community foundations’ websites:
North Okanagan www.CFNO.org
Central Okanagan www.CentralOkanaganFoundation.org
South Okanagan www.CFSO.net

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