Salt Spring Island Foundation

Foundation of Youth grants program is now open for applications

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October 5, 2026

The Foundation of Youth (FOY) program is now open for applications from October 1st to October 31st. Local organizations can access project or operations funding […]

Let’s Demystify the Salt Spring Island Foundation and How It Works

If you’re wondering how to give back to community, but aren't sure where to focus your efforts, it might be the perfect time to learn more about Salt Spring Island’s community foundation.

Affectionately referred to by locals as “the Foundation”, how it serves and supports this community is still a mystery to many islanders.

Simply put, the Foundation is a charity that serves other local charities through its growing number of grant programs and funds. It accepts public donations of money, securities, or will bequests, and channels them back into local charities doing important work on the ground. It’s a simple and broad way to give back to the causes you care most about and provides a tax benefit in return for your generosity.

It’s worth shining a light on this mystery because the Foundation is celebrating a banner year in distributing Salt Spring’s generosity back into the community. A testament to the power of local philanthropy, the 2025/26 C…

Indigenous Priorities funding announced

The Salt Spring Island Foundation is delighted to announce the grants from the Indigenous Priorities Fund (IPF) for projects in 2023. Eight projects were selected, and a total of $67,145 has been disbursed. We thank the IPF committee for their dedicated work in assessing and selecting the projects, and to donors who make this fund possible. The IPF is a fund created to celebrate Indigenous culture and to increase community belonging and inclusiveness. It aims to support reconciliation through the practice of education, understanding, dignity, and respectful action. Thank you to all who applied with your thoughtful and purposeful project ideas. SD64 Indigenous Education Program: Native Plant Garden & Huy ch q'u Gathering Place - $7,000 Expansion of the native plantings and cedar benches at the South Hydro Field along Rainbow Road and Earth Day 2023 celebrations with SD64 students, Indigenous partners and organizations. SSI Historical Society: Celebration of the Gang…

Inflation, soaring living costs cause major increases in the living wage across BC and Salt Spring Island

40-year inflation high, rising costs of housing & food affect all BC communities that calculate the living wage - The hourly wage required by two parents working full-time (35 hours) to feed, clothe and shelter a family of four has now jumped to $24.36 an hour on Salt Spring Island, the most recent Living Wage Update report shows. Salt Spring has seen a 15.1% percent increase in the living wage from last year. Other communities across the province have also seen staggering increases, including Kelowna at $4.39 (23.7 percent) higher than last year's rate of $18.49, Victoria at $3.83 (18.7 percent) higher than last year's $20.46 and Metro Vancouver $3.56 (17.3 percent) higher than last year's $20.52. This year the living wage has increased across BC in all the communities where it has been calculated in the past. The increase is driven by two essentials that every family needs: food and shelter. "With general inflation at a 40-year high, and the cost of rental and ow…

Salt Spring Island Foundation announces new Executive Director

The Board of the Salt Spring Island Foundation is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Shannon Cowan as Executive Director of the Foundation. Shannon has served the Foundation for three years as Operations Director. The change in her title reflects the exemplary manner in which she has risen to challenges during her time at the Foundation. The Endowment has grown expanding our reach, while the diversity of programs and the network of partnerships to meet island needs have widened. Each of these have placed increased demands on our staff, which Shannon manages. Walter Stewart, Chair of the Board says, “Shannon has brought energy and skill to the growth of our organization and has made the most of every opportunity. By creating the Executive Director position, we are preparing the Foundation to optimally expand and to navigate our response to vital areas of need in our community both currently and on the horizon. Shannon will more than ably fill the role." The Salt…

Bloom Fund grant announcement

The Salt Spring Island Foundation is absolutely delighted to announce that the Bloom Fund Grant of $100,000 is being awarded to the Capital Regional District for the Hwmet'utsum Mount Maxwell Community Park Land Acquisition project, for the purchase of land on the northeast slope of Hwmet'utsum. The community park will be a new 75-acre park with trails for the public and will support the protection of sensitive ecosystems in the neighbouring watershed and will preserve the Coastal Douglas-fir forest from logging and development. Moving this land from private to community ownership will create the largest contiguous tract of protected land in the Southern Gulf Islands, as it is adjacent to Xwaaqw’um, also known as Mount Maxwell Provincial Park and Burgoyne Bay Provincial Park. The Bloom Fund Grant was made possible with a generous $100,000 donation to the Salt Spring Island Foundation from the Bloom Canadian Alter Eco Trust, a funding vehicle established for the legacy of …

COVID Recovery Grants Announced

Thanks to the generosity of donors to the Covid Emergency Preparedness and Relief Fund, the Salt Spring Island Foundation announces a grand total $237,548 has been awarded in contribution to the many innovative pandemic relief, recovery and re-start efforts in our community. "The Foundation's Pandemic Impact Survey revealed priority needs among island charities related to re-building volunteer, staffing and fundraising networks in order to thrive during the Public Health phased re-start. In response, the Foundation Board offered Covid Recovery funding as a means for SSI charities, and any non-profits working in partnership with qualified donees, to move through this final phase of the pandemic and to build their community work anew," stated Sandra Heath, the Foundation's Grants Advisory Committee Chair. The Salt Spring Island Foundation made a call for applications for up to fifteen Covid Recovery Grant awards of up to $5,000 per community organization for projects that a…

Salt Spring Island Foundation Announce their Spring 2021 Grant Awards

The Salt Spring Island Foundation is pleased to announce $101,930 in spring grants to island charities. The 2021 spring grants support many essential programs and services, including three capacity-building grants to foster significant organizational improvement in areas of board development, operations and strategic planning. The Foundation is so grateful to the many generous donors and to the incredibly resilient charitable organizations engaged with community-building made possible in part by this funding. Institute for Sustainability Education and Action partnered with Transition Salt Spring Society – Capacity-Building for Climate Action $7,082 for a capacity-building grant to build organizational capacity as the Island’s climate action lead to spur achievement of a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. The new capacity measures include designing a suite of digital resources to achieve professional communication systems for outreach, education, fundraisin…

Salt Spring Island Foundation Announces Additional COVID-19 Emergency Fund Grants

The Salt Spring Island Foundation has made four more grants to local charities from its COVID-19 Emergency Preparedness and Relief Fund. The fund has reached almost $202,000 and distributed $148,000, including $61,550 in food cards, to support community needs. The food card program, made possible through the generosity of Country Grocer and the Upper Ganges Liquor Store, has benefitted many community members experiencing the economic impact of COVID-19. One local artisan, market vendor and single parent says, “The Saturday Market is my main income for the year. It sustains me to March, right when COVID hit. I had been running on empty and have been hustling to make ends meet. Groceries are the biggest expense. The grocery cards gave me almost a physical relief from stress and worry." Other major donations to the fund have come from the Foundation, Island Savings and the CRD, in addition to many individual donors. Recent emergency grants include: $12,562 to SSI Com…

Salt Spring Island Foundation COVID-19 Emergency Fund Reaches Goal

A $30,000 grant from the Vancouver Foundation Community Response Fund has boosted the Salt Spring Island Foundation’s COVID-19 Emergency Preparedness and Relief Fund to its $200,000 target. The grant is intended for rapid community response to support the needs of vulnerable populations. Foundation Board Chair Brian Lawson says, “We are extremely grateful for the generous community response. Reaching this Emergency Fund goal enables the Foundation to continue to partner with donors and local charities to deal with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Demand for the services of our non-profit organizations will undoubtedly increase as islanders experience loss of income and other challenges, including mental health issues, over the summer and beyond.” The Foundation’s emergency fund has already distributed $113,687 to Salt Spring charities, including over $50,000 in food gift cards distributed via local charities to those in need in the community. This has been made pos…

Salt Spring Island Foundation Announces Spring 2020 Grants

The Salt Spring Island Foundation is pleased to announce over $84,000 in spring grants for island charities. The Foundation thanks the many caring donors who make our grants possible. Capacity-Building Grants. This spring, $15,000 is being directed to projects that aim to strengthen our local charities: Graffiti Theatre: $5,000 toward a feasibility study for a multi-use performing arts education and recreation centre. I-SEA (Institute for Sustainability Education and Action): $2,500 to assist in strengthening the organizational capacity of Transition Salt Spring by implementing a new governance structure that would enable it to effectively manage the ongoing work of climate action implementation on Salt Spring Island. Salt Spring Island Community Services/Salt Spring Health Advancement Network: $7,500 to develop a stewardship committee and a two-day mental health symposium to be held in November 2020. The goal of the symposium is to better address mental health an…

COVID-19: Local Charities Respond to Challenges

Salt Spring Island non-profit organizations have been rallying to assist islanders who are struggling with the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. As the local Salt Spring economy is expected to slump for many months, demand for their services will undoubtedly increase. The Salt Spring Island Foundation’s COVID-19 Emergency Preparedness and Relief Fund has distributed $83,033 to Salt Spring charities. This includes $35,300 in food gift cards distributed via local charities to those in need in the community. This has been made possible through the generosity of Country Grocer and the Upper Ganges Liquor Store. Simone Cazabon, Salt Spring Island Community Services Food Program Manager, says, "We are expecting a continuing increase of clients at the Food Bank, our meal/food delivery services, and Tuesday Market Coupon Program. The gift cards are great because they allow people to customize their food preferences and address their sensitivities." IWAV has also received gif…

COVID-19: Mental Health Recognized as a Long-Term Concern by Salt Spring Island Foundation

On April 9, in recognition of the importance of maintaining mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, BC Premier John Horgan and Minister for Mental Health and Addictions Judy Darcy announced $5 million in funding toward expanded and new mental health programs and services The funding includes enhanced virtual services, with a focus on adults, youth and front-line health care workers, to ensure British Columbians can get supports at home. Islanders can find out more about accessing these mental health services through calling healthlinkbc.ca or by calling 811. While the provincial response and recognition of current mental health challenges is welcomed, the stress on our mental health services has been an ongoing concern on Salt Spring Island for years. In addition to providing grants to support mental health programs, the Salt Spring Island Foundation has recognized that a strong sense of community belonging is an important factor in supporting mental health and commu…

COVID-19: Salt Spring Island Foundation Announces Further Emergency Grants

The Salt Spring Island Foundation’s COVID-19 Emergency Preparedness and Relief Fund has reached $140,000 and is well on the way to the target of $200,000. In addition to the Foundation, major donors include Country Grocer and the Upper Ganges Liquor Store, the Philip and Muriel Berman Foundation, Island Savings and the CRD. Donations to the Fund from the wider community have reached $55,000. Foundation Board Chair Brian Lawson is grateful for the overwhelming support, “Our community is showing generosity and solidarity in so many ways during this crisis, and we thank all who have given our local charities a helping hand through the Foundation’s Emergency Fund.” To date, the Foundation has distributed $60,732 from the fund to Salt Spring charities. In addition to grants already announced, the following organizations have received funds: IWAV: $10,000 to support various operations and programming threatened by the closure of the Transitions store due to the COVID-19 em…

COVID-19: Foundation Emergency Fund Aims for $200,000 for Community Charities

The Salt Spring Island Foundation’s COVID-19 Emergency Preparedness and Relief Fund has distributed $26,633 to local charities since the fund was launched with $20,000 from the Foundation on March 26. The fund has reached $130,114 with a target of $200,000. Foundation Board Chair Brian Lawson says, “We have received many applications for COVID-19 relief from our local charities and are working to distribute the funds as quickly as possible. We know community charitable initiatives in response to the emergency will really make use of the new targeted amount." Grants from the fund will focus on community health-care preparedness, relief or assistance for vulnerable people in our community, such as seniors, and other pressing community needs as they emerge. Major donors include Country Grocer and the Upper Ganges Liquor Store, the Philip and Muriel Berman Foundation, Island Savings and the CRD. Over $45,000 has been received in donations from the wider community. The foll…

COVID-19: Salt Spring Island Foundation Emergency Fund Helping Island Charities - April 1st, 2020 - 5:04 PM

In just six days, the Salt Spring Island Foundation’s COVID-19 Emergency Preparedness and Relief Fund has reached $114,803. Funds are currently being directed toward local charities with urgent needs. As a consequence of the strong community response, the Foundation has increased the fund’s goal to $200,000. Foundation Board Chair Brian Lawson says, “The needs are large and complex, but we can meet the challenges ahead. We feel confident we can achieve this target.” The Philip and Muriel Berman Foundation, which has supported agriculture and food security on Salt Spring for many years, has donated $10,000 to the fund. Island Savings Credit Union has contributed $2,500, in addition to supporting food banks through its own signature program, The Full Cupboard. Lawson says, “We so much appreciate their compassion and support. We have surpassed the target of $100,000 in only a few short days since launching the fund and are grateful for the generosity of the entire comm…

COVID-19: Salt Spring Island Foundation Emergency Fund Reaches $93,000 - March 30th, 2020 - 1:49 PM

As of March 30, the Salt Spring Island Foundation’s COVID-19 Emergency Preparedness and Relief Fund has grown to $93,000. Country Grocer and the Upper Ganges Liquor Store have donated $50,000, and community donations have reached $18,000. The fund was started with a Foundation contribution of $20,000 and a CRD Grant-in-Aid of $5,000. Foundation Board Chair Brian Lawson says, “We are extremely grateful for the heartwarming response from these caring businesses and individuals. We are working to get funds out quickly to support the local charities that are fighting on the front lines of this crisis.” Donations may be made at ssifoundation.ca or by mail to: Salt Spring Island Foundation, Box 244, Ganges PO, Salt Spring Island, BC, V8K 2V9. Please indicate on your cheque that the donation is to be directed to the COVID-19 Emergency Fund. Grants from the fund will focus on community health-care preparedness, relief or assistance for vulnerable people in our community, su…

COVID-19: Salt Spring Island Foundation Launches Emergency Fund

The Salt Spring Island Foundation has established the COVID-19 Emergency Preparedness and Relief Fund in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Foundation is making an initial contribution of $20,000 and will also be receiving a CRD Grant-in-Aid of $5,000 for the fund. In addition, Country Grocer will be partnering with the Foundation to support the fund. Grants from the fund will focus on community health-care preparedness, relief or assistance for vulnerable people in our community, such as seniors, or other pressing community needs as they emerge. Foundation Board Chair Brian Lawson says, “As Salt Spring faces this unprecedented challenge, the Foundation is committed to helping the charities and not-for-profit organizations that are on the front lines of this fight to assist those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Islanders have always been incredibly caring and generous to others in times of need, and we appeal for their help now.“ The Foundation is inviting i…

Salt Spring Island Foundation Announces Fall 2019 Grants

The Salt Spring Island Foundation is pleased to announce over $108,000 in fall Foundation grants for island charities. The 2019 fall grants support many essential programs and services, with a particular focus on children and youth, health and wellness, and capacity building for local non-profit organizations. The Foundation thanks the many generous donors who make these grants possible. BC SPCA, Salt Spring Island $5,000 for the “Snip for Dogs” program, to provide spaying and neutering for dogs owned by low-income households and individuals without housing. Big Brothers Big Sisters $1,500 to provide supplies for 15 students for one year for the In-School Mentoring program. This grant is supported by funds from the Unger Family Fund for Children and their Mothers and Senior Women in Need. Capital Regional District (CRD) Salt Spring Island Electoral Area Emergency Program: $6,000 for an on-island, two-day Justice Institute of BC-certified course, on the …

Salt Spring Island Foundation Marks 35 Years of Giving

We all know that great trees grow from tiny seeds, which makes the tree logo of the Salt Spring Island Foundation particularly appropriate. Thirty-five years ago, John C. Lees planted a $10,000 seed that has grown to a $7.5 million endowment fund solely for the benefit of Salt Spring Island charities. Since then the Foundation has granted the amazing sum of $3.3 million, with over 550 grants awarded to over 60 local charities since its inception. In 1984, Lees first conceived of establishing a community endowment fund, and his bequest was the first donation to the fund. Lees died on March 1, 1984, just five days before the Salt Spring Island Foundation was registered as a Public Foundation with Revenue Canada in Ottawa. Alan Pierce, Colin Mouat and Richard Toynbee were the first three trustees. The Foundation has benefitted from exceptional leadership over its 35 years. Between 1991 and 2006, under the chairmanship of Bob Rush, the community endowment fund swelled from $2…

Salt Spring Foundation Announces 2019 Neighbourhood Small Grants

The Salt Spring Island Foundation, in partnership with Salt Spring Island Community Services, is pleased to announce the recipients of our 2019 Neighbourhood Small Grants. The Neighbourhood Small Grants program offers grants of $50 to $500 to support projects that bring people together, share skills and knowledge, build a sense of community belonging and responsibility, and respect and celebrate diversity. First offered in the fall of 2018, the grants have supported many fun and creative events that have proved to be extremely popular. Bard on the Ridge This Eagle Ridge event brings neighbours of all ages together to perform a shortened version of one of Shakespeare’s plays through a staged reading with music. A dessert potluck follows the family event. Canvasback Neighbours Barbecue To be held in August, this event for the Canvasback Place neighbourhood will provide an opportunity for residents to meet, socialize and participate in discussions about emergency plann…

Salt Spring Island Foundation Announces Spring 2019 Grants

The Salt Spring Island Foundation is pleased to announce over $148,000 in spring grants for local charities, including $30,000 targeted to youth recreation programs. The Foundation thanks the many generous donors who make these grants possible. BC Parks/Friends of Ruckle Park Heritage To create and install six new interpretive signs for Ruckle Provincial Park to increase the appreciation of Ruckle heritage farm, the oldest operating family farm in BC and a living link to Salt Spring Island history. Graffiti Theatre Company For a secure and permanent storage container for the theatre company’s technical equipment, props and costumes. Towards a feasibility study for a multi-use performing arts education and recreation centre. Gulf Islands Seniors Residence Association For updated computers and a new phone system to increase the organization’s capacity and communications efficiency. IWAV For new computers in order to securely and effectively carry ou…