CFNO Executive Director Leanne Hammond announces grants to non-profit groups. (file photo/Vernon Matters Staff)

By Kevin Rothwell

28 recipients

Foundation awards $253,000 in community grants

May 29, 2023 | 2:00 PM

The Community Foundation of the North Okanagan has awarded over $253,000 in grants to a diverse group of non-profits in the region.

Funders and charity representatives gathered at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre for the funding announcement.

A committee made up of community members had the difficult job of selecting the winning charities.

“We had over 50 applicants this year with over $600,000 worth of asks, and they ranged from environmental issues, mental health issues, youth programs, athletic pursuits, seniors issues, food security, just a huge breadth of programs,” selection committee chairperson Noelle Crombie said.

“We just didn’t have all the funds available for us, but we had two private donors step up. It is a wonderful event to see all the programs happening in our community,”

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The Finch family trust and Galbraith family trust topped up the endowment award fund by $130,000.

Cera Yorke of CMHA (left) and Vicki Proulx of NOYFSS at the Community Foundation’s annual grants reception. (Photo credit: CFNO)

The following 28 organizations received funds:

​​• Archway Society for Domestic Peace – North Okanagan Women’s Outreach Support and Empowerment

• Athletics for Kids – Sport4Life Grant Program

• Ballet Jorgen Canada – Vernon and Area Dance Programming- February 2024

• BC Small Wetlands Association – Pleasant Valley Wetland Heritage Park Boardwalk

• Caetani Cultural Centre Society – The Caetani Cultural Centre Society 2024-2028 Strategic Plan Preparation

• Canadian Mental Health Association Vernon and District Branch – Youth Suicide Grief Support Group

• Community Recreational Initiatives Society – CRIS Adaptive School District 22 Programming

• Family Resource Centre Society for the North Okanagan – Art and Identity

• Fresh Outlook Foundation – Climate Action Ripple Effect (CARE) 2024

• Friends of Okanagan Rail Trail – Km0 Phase 3 Interpretation

• H.O.P.E. Outreach – ALLY Program

• Independent Living Vernon – FASD Assessment Training for Family Physicians

• John Rudy Health Resource Centre Association – Caregiver Funding Project

• Kalamalka Secondary – SD22 Mountain Bike Project

• Literacy Alliance of the Shuswap Society – Books For Babies, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

• Literacy Society of the North Okanagan – Books for Babies and Kindies

• NexusBC Community Resource Centre – NexusBC Compassion Fund for dentures and hearing aides

• Niteo Africa Society – Story As Community

• North Okanagan Neurological Association – Year-round exterior colourful lighting

• North Okanagan Youth and Family Services Society – Family First Community Workshops

• Okanagan College Foundation – Sunflower Childcare Centre Campaign

• Okanagan Indian Band – Food Security: Growing and Harvesting Food on Indigenous Land

• People Place Society – Front Entrance Security Gate/Fence

• Schubert Centre Society – Meals on Wheels Program

• Take a Hike Youth Mental Health Foundation – Take a Hike Vernon Pilot Program

• TFL Technology for Living – Technology for Living home environmental controls

• The British Columbia Lions Society for Children with Disabilities – Winfield Summer Camp for Persons with Diverse Abilities

• Turning Points Collaborative Society – Turning Points Wellness Initiative

For more information on the Community Foundation of the North Okanagan click here.