Spring 2025 Community Grants
The Central Okanagan Foundation is proud to announce the recipients of our Spring 2025 grants, awarding over $549,460 in funding to 16 local organizations working to support residents of the Central Okanagan.
This year’s grant cycle saw a significant rise in demand, with 34 applications submitted, compared to 20 in the spring of 2024. In total, applicants requested over $1.5 million in funding, a clear reflection of the growing need for stable, ongoing support within our nonprofit sector.
All of the awards in this cycle provided multi-year operational support which increases operational stability and provides flexibility as organizations adapt to changing needs in the community.
Grants were distributed across a wide range of categories, including Children, Youth & Family; Animal Welfare; Environment; Health & Community Services; Education; and Arts & Culture, each a vital thread in the fabric of a healthy, inclusive community.
Among the recipients this year is the Child Advocacy Centre of Kelowna, which plays a crucial role in supporting children and families impacted by abuse and neglect. Through its collaborative, trauma-informed approach, the Centre challenges traditional systems and works to reduce harm by centering the voices and needs of children and families. Their work aims to disrupt systemic issues and build resilience through integrated, strengths-based support.
Also receiving funding is Be the Change Earth Alliance Society (BTCEA), whose youth-led programs provide action-oriented education to young people across British Columbia. In an era of climate anxiety, BTCEA empowers youth to connect with their communities, engage in environmental solutions, and develop the skills needed to create a just and sustainable future.
We are honoured to support these organizations. Their efforts create ripples of impact throughout the Central Okanagan, helping us all move toward a more equitable, sustainable future.
Congratulations to all of the spring 2025 grant recipients:
- Be the Change Earth Alliance Society
- Thompson Okanagan Tourism Foundation
- Kelowna Community Music School Society
- Friends of the South Slopes Society
- Happy Hooves Sanctuary
- Okanagan Symphony Society
- Niteo Africa Society
- Air Rescue One Heli Winch Society
- Dress for Success Kelowna Society
- Kelowna & District SHARE Society
- Hands in Service Canada
- Central Okanagan Region Nutrition Society
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul Okanagan Valley Particular Council
- Junior Achievement of British Columbia (JABC)
- Roots of Empathy
- Old Friends Canada
- Child Advocacy Centre of Kelowna Society
- Kelowna & District SHARE Society
- Child Advocacy Centre of Kelowna Society
Fall 2024 Community Grants
The fall 2024 grant cycle is complete and the Central Okanagan Foundation is pleased to share the recipients of $197, 158.08 in funding distributed to 16 organizations throughout the Central Okanagan!
We received over 28 applications with requests totaling $386, 270.54 for this intake. Our review committees had difficult decisions to make! Applications are divided between two committees; one that reviews Arts & Culture, Heritage & Historical, Animal Welfare and Environmental applications, and a second that reviews applications related to Health & Social Services, Children Youth & Families, Education and Global Initiatives.
Arts & Culture, Heritage & Historical, Animal Welfare and Environmental Grant Recipients:
| Organization | Project Name | Amount Funded |
| Lake Country Heritage and Cultural Society | Improving Archival Access | $12,500 |
| Okanagan Similkameen Stewardship Society | Taking Action for Wetlands | $10,000 |
| Inspired Word Cafe Society | Learning to Speak: Public Literary and Performance Training Program | $7,500 |
| Peachland Community Arts Council | Open Mic Sound System Package | $14,958.08 |
| Kelowna Ballet Society | Specialized Lighting Equipment Acquisition | $15,000 |
| Lake Country Art Gallery Society | Making community connections through experiencing art – year 2 | $15,000 |
These innovative projects will enhance our community, fostering positive change and create a brighter future for us all.
Health & Community Services, Children Youth & Family, Education and Global Initiative Grant Recipients:
| Organization | Project Name | Amount Funded |
| British Columbia Lung Foundation | BREATHE: Building Resilience to Emerging Airborne Threats and Heat Events | $15,000 |
| Society for Providing Animal Assisted Therapy Kelowna | Financial Assistance For Caregivers – Growing SPARK’s Community Impact | $15,000 |
| Society of St. Vincent de Paul Okanagan Valley Particular Council | InVincible Housing | $15,000 |
| Canadian Paraplegic Association of BC | Peer Support & Information for Okanagan Residents with Spinal Cord Injury or Related Disabilities | $5,000 |
| YMCA of Southern Interior BC | YMCA Alternative Suspension Program Expansion | $15,000 |
| Hands in Service Canada | Enhanced Systems | $5,100 |
| Lake Country Food Assistance Society | Helping Through Sharing Network Enhancement Project | $15,000 |
| Peachland Food Bank | Peachland Food Bank Entrance & Exit Covering | $14,600 |
| Zajac Ranch Society | Zajac Ranch Summer Medical Camp 2025 | $7,500 |