Report from Bowen Island Community Foundation Chair Kate Thomas-Peter
If 2024 proved anything, it’s that generosity truly grows here. At our annual meeting in May 2025, the Bowen Island Community Foundation (BICF) celebrated another outstanding year of giving, connection, and impact—all powered by the heart of Bowen Islanders.
Even a postal disruption couldn’t slow things down. Islanders simply found new ways to give, donating online or in person at First Credit Union. The result: nearly $297,000 donated, bringing the two-year total to over $600,000—a remarkable achievement for a small island of just over 4,000 residents.
A milestone moment—the new Bowen Community Centre opens its doors on April 7, 2025, thanks to the generosity and vision of Bowen Islanders. Amid a throng of BICS students, Bowen Island mayor Andrew Leonard and Hearth board chair James Nesbitt cut the ceremonial ribbon. S7aplek and Spakwus Slolem (Bob Baker and the Squamish Eagle Song Dancers) perform a cedar brushing ceremony at the opening of the new Community Centre. Photos courtesy Bowen Island Municipality.
A Year of Milestones
The highlight of 2024 was the release of Last Mile Funding for the new Bowen Island Community Centre, which opened in April 2025 as a vibrant gathering space for everyone. In all, BICF granted more than $1.3 million, including a major contribution from the BC Government’s Community Prosperity Fund to upgrade Collins Hall, home to countless community groups.
New initiatives continued to strengthen the island’s social fabric: an endowment fund established by Janice Skeels’s family to support the Med Shed, and an expanded Youth Resilience Program offering counselling support to caregivers of young people experiencing mental health or substance use challenges.
Behind it all stands a team of passionate volunteers, who are board members, and new BICF administrator, Quentin Beck—ensuring BICF remains rooted in community support and forward-looking generosity, with donors providing the support to make it all possible.
And a Year of Sharing Bowen’s Generosity
As well as the highlights, Bowen’s generosity enables BICF to keep supporting students and trainees with scholarships and bursaries and to provide grants to Bowen organizations The Hearth, the Conservancy, the Men’s Shed, the Slopitch League, Tourism Bowen Island, SKY (Seniors Keeping Young), and Bowfest to support their work to improve the quality of life of Bowen Island.
“Every donation, every act of kindness, adds to the story of how Bowen Islanders care for one another.”
—Kate Thomas-Peter, BICF Chair
By the Numbers
- $297,000 raised in 2024
- $1.3 million granted to the community
- $2.5 million in total Foundation assets
- 34 volunteers serving on committees
- 1 new community centre open for all