For the second year in a row, the Bowen Island Community Foundation has decided to offer a major grant of $5,000 to a qualifying organization on the island.
For most of the past seven years, the foundation has supported as many initiatives as possible, and according to Joyce Ganong, chair of the Foundation, "these monies were clearly integral to the success of all of these organizations' programming. But in reviewing our funding model, we decided that one substantial grant might contribute more significantly to the success of an organization." In 2011 Bowen Island Family Place secured our first major grant award, and we are proud that the Foundation contributed to the stability of this organization.
Building on the success of this initiative, we are going to once again offer a major grant of $5,000 to an organization that meets our criteria. We are focusing on two areas of interest that we believe are of particular concern to Bowen Islanders.
The qualifying areas are:
1. Environmental a project that benefits the long term environmental sustainability of Bowen Island and the well being of islanders.
2. Social - a project that betters the lives of islanders in need or assists islanders to participate more fully as members of society.
Organizations and groups with charitable status are eligible to apply if their proposal addresses the qualifying areas and meets the criteria outlined in the application.
Should none of the proposals qualify, BICF will follow previous practice and allocate the $5,000 across a number of organizations under a separate call for proposals. The grant funds are provided from the revenue generated from the Bowen Island Community Endowment Fund. Since 2004 the Foundation has supported close to twenty organizations with grants totalling over $53,000 from all of the various funds.
A full description of the Major Grant Initiative and the application process is provided on the Bowen Island Community Foundation website www.bowenfoundation.com. Click on Grant Application at the top of the home page. You can also call Joyce Ganong, chair, for more information: 604-947-2802.
The deadline for applications is April 22.
