In 2011, the Foundation decided to move away from a granting structure that sought to support as many Bowen Island organizations as possible with small project grants. We launched a Major Grants Initiative to try and make a more significant impact by: (1) offering less grants in greater amounts; and (2) targeting projects where a Foundation grant could be leveraged as some way. Major grants were awarded in 2011, 2012 and 2013.
2011 Family Place received the first major grant for $5,000, allowing them to combine their space with the Youth Centre and continue their vital service to Bowen Island families.
2012 Family Place again received $5,000, allowing them to create an outdoor space.
2013 The Foundation applied its major grant of $5,000 to seed the Bowen Island Community Chest, (now re-named the Helping Hand Fund) a fund to help support Island organizations respond to people living on Bowen who face personal and often invisible emergencies.
Arts and Culture
2004 Tir-Na-Nog Theatre School – Laser printer
2005 Tir-Na-Nog Theatre School – Materials for raised seating
BI Arts Council – Voices In The Sound
2006 Tir-Na-Nog Theatre School – Costumes and sets
BI Historians – Story of Bowen Island Museum
2007 Tir-Na-Nog Theatre School – 20th
Anniversary Festival of Plays
2008 BI Historians – Western Explosives Factory on Bowen Island
Environment and Parks
2007 BI Conservancy – “Save Fairy Fen” Education
2008 Little Red Church on BI – Re-Use It Store Project (Knick Knack Nook)
Health and Social Well-Being
2007 BI Christmas Hamper Fund – Matching for emergency funds
2008 BI Community School – Living with Chronic Conditions
2013 BI Community Chest – Seed funding
The Caring Community Fund was originally called the Bowen Island General Endowment Fund. Some of the early grants were made possible by seed funding from the Vancouver Foundation.
Education and Youth
2004 BI Gymnastics Club – Table vault
BI Preschool/Daycare Society – Shake, Rattle & Roll music education
BI Teen Centre Society – Youth-Directed Website
2005 Real Learning – Get ‘n Real program
Island Pacific School – Martial arts equipment
BI Teen Centre Society – Youth Leadership Training
2006 BI Teen Centre Society – Special events for teens
BI Family Place Association – Spring Children’s Festival
BI Preschool/Daycare Society – Staff professional development
2007 BI Island Arts Council- It Takes a Child to Teach a Village
BI Family Place Association – Spring Children’s Festival
BI Montessori School – Creative play studio
2008 BI Community School – Equipment and training
BI Preschool/Daycare Society – Website software
2011 BI Family Place Association – Major grant to combine space with the Youth Centre
2012 BI Family Association– Major grant for outdoor area shared with the Youth Centre
Seniors
2004 Seniors Keeping Young – Equipment and rental space
2005 Seniors Keeping Young – Exercise equipment
2006 Abbeyfield House of BI Society – Fundraising program development
Seniors Keeping Young – Excursions and craft materials
2007 Abbeyfield House of BI Society – Fundraising materials
Seniors Keeping Young – Guest speaker costs
Notes
1- Since the Maggie Cumming Legacy Fund was established in 2008, several grants in the areas of Environment and Parks, and Seniors have been made through that fund rather than the Caring Community Fund.
2- Caring Community Grants were not made in 2009 and 2010 because of the effect that the economic downturn had on the fund’s investment income.