Applications are beign accepted until March 31 for the Smart & Caring Community Grants Program (photo courtesy of CFNO)

By Pete McIntyre

CFNO

Foundation seeks applications for community grants totalling $250,000

Mar 6, 2024 | 1:00 PM

Charitable groups are invited to apply for funding from the Smart & Caring Community Grants Program.

The annual program is offered by the Community Foundation North Okanagan to help charities and non-profits looking to make positive social change and working towards balancing the inequalities in the North Okanagan region.

This year CFNO has secured over $250,000 for the program. Grant applications will be accepted from March 1 until March 31, 2024. Click here for more details.

Some grants address emerging issues, while others support project and program delivery, operations, equipment purchases, and much more.

Last year the program granted over $253,000 to 29 organizations that provide support to residents of the North Okanagan.

Possible firearm involved

One person apprehended in connection with suspicious activity in Coldstream

Dec 13, 2025

Fatal Collision, Highway Closed

One person dead in crash near Revelstoke

Dec 13, 2025

Salaries

Vernon Council to discuss lesser pay increases

Dec 12, 2025

One of the grants was for the Family Resource Centre Society’s Art and Identity Project. This is an art therapy group for youth ages 14 to 17 to explore their identity (including values, beliefs, emotions, gender, sexual orientation, authenticity, and more) using art, in the context of a safe and supportive therapeutic environment.

Another grant supported over 15 local low-income seniors with access to dentures and hearing aids through Nexus BC Community Resource Centre’s Compassion Fund.

The Smart and Caring Community Grants Program is made possible due to 46 CFNO donors that have earmarked all or a portion of their charitable funds to support these type of grants year-after-year. This year, in addition to those funds, Nixon Wenger LLP has contributed $50,000 to the program, which CFNO says means they will get to say “yes” to more well deserving local projects.

Allyson Edwards, partner with Nixon Wenger, said to celebrate their 50th anniversary, the partners felt it was important to recognize the support of the community, which has been an integral part of their success as a firm.

“We also could not overlook the unique fact that we share a founder with CFNO. The late Paul Nixon established and grew both organizations through his strong passion and commitment to enriching our local community. We feel fortunate to be able to mark our 50th anniversary by supporting the CFNO and the North Okanagan community,” Edwards added.

To find out more about the grants program, visit the CFNO website.