The Salt Spring Island Foundation is pleased to announce over $100,000 in grants to 13 island charitable organizations. The projects funded this spring address many important community priorities, including services for children, youth and seniors, mental health, housing, the environment and the preservation of Salt Spring’s history and cultural heritage.

As part of its Smart & Caring Salt Spring initiative, the Foundation has established funds to target critical needs and help grow philanthropy on Salt Spring. This spring, our Smart & Caring funds have been granted to projects that support affordable housing, mental health and volunteerism.

Fulford Community Hall Association
For overall maintenance and to refresh the curbside look of this important heritage building, which hosts a broad range of community activities.

Greenwoods Eldercare Society
To fund a family liaison pilot project to explore and share new ways to bring efficiency and effectiveness to the way families are supported as they navigate the world of a complex-care facility for seniors.

Island Pathways
For two sections of the Ganges Village Pathway Network, which promotes safe, non-motorized transportation on Salt Spring Island: a new pathway from Rainbow Road to Atkins Road, and two pathways on Upper Ganges Road.

Island Women Against Violence (IWAV)
For updating the 2009 Housing Survey. This is in accordance with IWAV’s new strategic goal of demonstrating leadership in the provision of affordable housing and in encouraging collaboration and partnerships among housing providers. This grant is funded through the Foundation’s Smart & Caring Salt Spring initiative.

Japanese Garden Society of Salt Spring Island
Toward the restoration of two pit kilns in Mouat Regional Park, built in the 1920s to make charcoal that was sold to canneries for the process of soldering cans. The pit kilns will become a heritage site of educational value to tourists and residents.

Salt Spring Arts Council
Toward the repair of the stairs and front entrance of Mahon Hall, unused for many years due to wood rot. The repairs will benefit hall visibility and accessibility and make it more attractive to visitors.

Salt Spring Farmers’ Heritage Foundation
To improve the safety and accessibility of the historically significant Bittancourt Agricultural Museum. Improvements will include a new path to the entrance, an extension of the existing ramp for easier wheelchair accessibility, and fencing to separate the pedestrian area from the parking area.

Salt Spring Island Community Services
For Core Inn programming for youth in grades 6 to12. The centre is the only such facility on the island and serves a critical need.

To provide support for a final hard-copy edition of the SSICS Community Directory.

For the Yellow Submarine/New Beginnings programs, which support people with mental illness and/or addiction issues, providing vocational rehabilitation, employment mentorships and work opportunities. This is the third year of a multi-year grant.

Salt Spring Island Conservancy
For expansion of the solar voltaic system on the roof of the multi-use facility at Blackburn Lake Nature Reserve. With the addition of the new panels, 43% of the building’s energy use will be offset. This grant is partially funded by the Jacqueline Booth Memorial Fund.

Salt Spring Island Water Preservation Society
Toward a citizen-science field study to monitor and evaluate water quality in Blackburn Lake, which is a critical part of the Cusheon Lake watershed. This grant is funded through the Foundation’s Smart & Caring Salt Spring initiative.

Salt Spring Literacy Society
To support the One-to-One Reading pilot project in four island schools. Run by volunteers, this program aims to provide early intervention for children with reading difficulties.

Salt Spring Therapeutic Riding Association
For the purchase of three new saddles. The association assists physically, mentally or emotionally challenged children, youth and adults. This grant is funded through the Foundation’s Smart & Caring Salt Spring initiative.

School District #64
For matching funds toward the replacement of the 21-year-old GISS gymnasium scoreboard. A high-calibre scoreboard is vital for competitive sports, which involve close to 200 student athletes, and for hosting league tournaments that attract off-island teams.

To support district library resources for a new K-12 sexual health education program.