The Salt Spring Island Foundation is pleased to announce over $100,000 in grants for local charities, including $50,000 in support of local affordable housing projects. Affordable housing is shown to be a critical need in Salt Spring’s 2017 VitalSigns® report.

These grants would not be possible without the support of our many generous donors, who share the Foundation’s vision of a healthy and caring community

Big Brothers Big Sisters

For supplies, such as learning materials, games and crafts, for the In School Mentoring Program for elementary-school children who need a wider circle of support. Adult and teen volunteers work with the children on a weekly basis.

Fulford Harbour Childcare

To build a new fence at Tree Frog Daycare to create a safe play space for children under 2½ years old.

Gulf Islands Marine Rescue Society

To upgrade the chartplotter for the marine search and rescue vessel. The chartplotter is essential to safe navigation and operation.

IWAV

• For a water study and water-systems design for Croftonbrook, which is being expanded to add 54 units of affordable rental housing for seniors, families and people experiencing homelessness.
• For upgrading the children’s room at the Transition House.

School District #64

• For a computerized stage lighting system that will be installed in the gymnasium at Salt Spring Middle School. The lighting system will benefit school drama, circus and musical performances, as well as other community events.
• For volunteer training for the Home Words intergenerational writing program offered at GISS. The project brings together youth and adults, ranging in age from 14 to 70, to write freely and share their work. It fosters intergenerational and cross-cultural connections between people whose paths may not otherwise cross.
• For the Yoga in the Classroom project at GISS, which will teach students a mindfulness practice to support their educational process and a healthy life balance. The yoga classes address stress, anxiety, and navigating life issues such as family and peer dynamics, as well as social, school and work challenges.

Salt Spring Island Community Services

For the development of strata bylaws and related policies and procedures for Salt Spring Commons, an affordable, shared-ownership neighbourhood planned for a five-acre property owned by Community Services on Mt. Belcher.

SWOVA

To update and redesign the Respectful Relationships program, which SWOVA has delivered to over 10,000 youth in the Southern Gulf Islands over the past 17 years. The program aims to build young people's skills and competencies to choose nonviolent, safe behaviors. It will also develop and implement school-wide activities and policies, foster a positive social environment and change societal norms about the acceptability of violence and willingness to intervene.

Does your Salt Spring charity have a great project that needs funds? The Foundation’s next grants will be given in spring 2018. If you’d like to know how we can help you as we’ve helped dozens of local charities since 1984, please go to our website at ssifoundation.ca, or call 250-537-8305.