The Community Foundation of the South Okanagan announced its largest ever grant distribution of $178,000.
As a result of great community support, the Community Foundation is able to grant $38,000 more than in 2010.
“This will be a significant boost to our local charities,” said Aaron McRann, executive director of CF. “With the loss of gaming funds, a weak economy, and declining donor interest many charities are really struggling. We certainly can’t solve all the problems, but we’re very happy that we’re able to increase our impact by more than 25 per cent.”
There are 40 local charities who submitted applications for grants in 2011. The requests total in excess of $330,000 on projects worth more than $1.7 million.
“Even with our largest ever grant allocation, we are still unable to really come close to meeting the needs of these groups. But the good news is that the endowment fund continues to grow and, therefore, so will the money available for granting each and every year, in perpetuity,” said McRann.
These grants will be awarded at the end of April after an in-depth review by the CF grants committee. This committee includes four CF board members and two volunteers from the community at large.