Left: Nicole Chirkoff, CRIS (Community Recreational Initiatives Society) | Right: Noelle Crombie, CFNO Grants Committee Volunteer Chair. (submitted photo)

By Liam Verster

50 Years, 50 Grants

CFNO celebrates 50 years of service with grants to 50 local organizations

Jun 17, 2025 | 2:00 PM

Community Foundation North Okanagan has celebrated it’s five decades of service by supplying grants to local organizations for each year it’s been in operation.

CFNO celebrated it’s 50th anniversary by awarding a record $467,000 in Smart & Caring Community Grants to 50 local organizations.

The local Community Foundation branch received 70 applications for grants totaling over $900,000 this year. The organization had originally planned to allocate $300,00 through the program, but due to the high demand decided to increase that total, thanks in part to several donors and fundholders.

“The response from our donors has been extraordinary,” Leanne Hammond, Executive Director of CFNO, said.

“We set a goal to award 50 grants for our 50th anniversary year—and thanks to the incredible generosity of fundholders, donors, and families who entrusted us with additional gifts, we achieved it.”

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The recipients of the 2025 Smart & Caring Community Grants were:

• Archway Society for Domestic Peace – Art Therapy workshops for women
• Armstrong Spallumcheen Medical Equipment Loan Cupboard – Medical Equipment purchases
• Arts Council of the North Okanagan – Sundog Festival of Arts and Culture
• Awaken Nature Education – Pull & Plant: Native Greenhouse for Community Restoration
• Ballet Jorgen Canada – Vernon & Area Dance Programming
• BC Lions Society for Children with Disabilities – 2025 Winfield Summer Camp for Persons with Diverse Abilities
• British Columbia Lung Foundation – Air Quality Equipment Library Loan Program
• Caetani Cultural Centre Society – Cultivating Community
• Canadian Mental Health Association Vernon – Youth Integrated Services Hub Counselling
• Community Dental Access Centre Society – Community Dental Access Centre
• Community Recreational Initiatives Society – CRIS 2025 North Okanagan Programming
• Enderby & District Community Resource Centre – Computer replacement
• Family Resource Centre Society – 2SLGBTQIA+ Navigator
• Fletcher’s Keep Senior Dog Foundation – Paws, Nourish and Nurture: Wellness Alliance to Preserve the Human-K9 Bond
• Forever Home Sanctuary – Farm Animal rescue and rehabilitation
• Fresh Outlook Foundation – 2026 Climate Action Ripple Effect (CARE)
• Girl Guides of Canada, BC Council – Tillicum Lodge – Roof replacement
• Good Food Box Society – At-Risk Seniors and Vulnerable Resident Fresh Food Box Funding
• Halina Activity Centre for seniors – Halina Centre Kitchen & Facilities Renovations
• Healthy Essentials Clinic – Healthy You Program for families
• Independent Living Vernon – Vernon Adaptive Paddle Program
• Interior Wildlife Rehabilitation Society – Beaver Care and Release Program
• John Rudy Health Resource Centre Association – Increasing Accessibility
• Kalamalka Starfish Society – Weekend Student Food Program
• Kingfisher Interpretive Centre Society – Conservation through Education
• Lumby Food Bank Society – Year round Greenhouse and Seasonal Gardens
• Nexus BC Community Resource Centre Society – Social Inclusion for Seniors
• Niteo Africa Society – Local Newcomer Family reading program – Story As Community
• North Okanagan Community Chaplaincy – Food services support for the unhoused
• North Okanagan Friendship Center Society – Vernon Safe House – Extension of Operational Hours
• North Okanagan Neurological Association – Tech Talk AAC Loaning Library Initiative
• North Okanagan Youth and Family Services Society – NOYFSS Family Peace Program
• Okanagan Humane Society – 2025 Rescue and Pet Assistance Program: Spay / Neuter Programs
• Okanagan Quality Life Society – Heaven Can Wait- Supporting Seniors and People with Disabilities boating program
• Okanagan Village Housing Society – Helping All People Pursue Housing
• People Place Society – Defibrillator/Laptop
• Ribbons of Green Trail Society – Events Pop up Tent
• Runaway Moon Theatre Arts Society – The Song of the Swan Performance
• Santa’s Anonymous Society – Financial support for sustainability of Santa’s Anonymous in the North Okanagan.
• Schubert Centre Society – Meals on Wheels Program
• Take a Hike Youth Mental Health Foundation – Take a Hike – Outdoor Experience for Youth
• Teens Count Too – Achieving self respect for Teens
• TFL (Technology For Living) – Technology for Independent Living program
• Turning Points Collaborative Society – Turning Points Wellness Initiative
• Upper Room Mission Society – Shelter Renovations
• Vernon & District Association for Community Living – Accessible Day Time Art & Culture for Identified Underserved Groups
• Vernon & District Family History Society – Keeping Seniors Vibrant
• Vernon and District Immigrant and Community Services Society – Newcomer Community Support and Services
• Vernon Restholm Association – Keeping Seniors Comfortable
• Vernon Search and Rescue – VSAR program support
• Vernon She Shed Society – Upgrades of Equipment
• Voices of Vernon Program – Youth Anti-Racism Initiative
• Youth Climate Corps BC – Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Projects for Youth

CFNO did not provide details about how much money each organization was gifted.

Hammond did note that the number of donors supporting these grants have increased, and stated the collective approach allowed CFNO to “respond to emerging needs, build local capacity, and strengthen the work of charities across the North Okanagan.”