|
New Year, new faces
|
|
The New Year brings some new faces to the Victoria Foundation board of directors. Rasool Rayani takes over as chair while James Darke and Ian Wong join the board as new directors. Completing their terms on the board are Peter Malcolm and Steve McKerrell, and past board chair Deirdre Roberts will continue to sit on the board. Read more on our website.
|
Healthy Saanich Advisory Committee
|
|
Last week our CEO, Sandra Richardson, presented the findings of our 2013 Vital Signs report to the Healthy Saanich Advisory Committee. The committee promotes effective communication, engagement and collaboration between the Municipality and its citizens, and advises the Council and recommends policies to support a healthier and more livable community.
|
Transfer Scholarships available
|
|
Are you transferring between post-secondary institutions to complete your degree? Apply for a scholarship by February 15. This year, the Irving K. Barber BC Scholarship Society, which relies on the Victoria Foundation to administer this scholarship program, will grant over 100 scholarships of $5,000 each. Eligibility criteria and application forms are available on the Society’s website or by contacting the Victoria Foundation. Click here to apply.
|
Aboriginal Student Award applications
|
|
The Irving K. Barber BC Scholarship Society also recently announced its 2014 Aboriginal Student Awards program, which will see over $800,000 granted to Aboriginal students pursuing post-secondary education. The Awards range from $1,000 to $5,000 per year, and are available for a wide range of programs – from trades to doctoral studies. Criteria and application forms for the Aboriginal Student Awards program are available through the Society’s website. Click here to apply by March 31.
|
Standards program trustmark an excellent safeguard
|
|
The not-for-profit sector is increasingly under the microscope and charities must be transparent about their work to maintain their reputation and the trust of donors, volunteers, clients and sponsors. Visit our blog to read this article written by Victoria Foundation Director of Governance and Executive Operations, Louise MacDonald for the Winter 2013 issue of The Scrivener.
|
Downton Abbey connection
|
|
January brings a new season of the acclaimed Downton Abbey to Canadian fans. Did you know that the Victoria Foundation holds an endowment fund set up by Pacific Coast Public Television Association to benefit KCTS9? You can learn more about the Public Television Fund and other endowment funds at the Foundation on our website or by calling us at 250.381.5532. We’ll be happy to answer any of your questions.
|
In the news
|
|
Demand for services at Our Place Society has surged over the past months, including a record increase in meals served in December. Recently, the Society received a $53,321 grant from Victoria Foundation to hire a community engagement program coordinator. This position will focus on making partnerships to meet the community’s increasing needs for the homeless and poor. Read more in the Times Colonist.
|
First Nations grandmothers keep culture alive and prepare for the future
|
|
Near Prince Rupert on B.C.’s North Coast, a group of grandmothers has been keeping Lax Kw’alaams children and youth connected to their culture and community. With a grant provided through the Lex Reynolds Adoption and Permanency Trust Fund, administered by the Victoria Foundation, the group will invite all the children from their community who have been in care homes to Lax Kw’alaams in the spring of 2014 to learn traditional seaweed gathering and to meet their extended family. Read more in the Castlegar Source.
|
$100,000 to Fund Physical Education
|
|
The Rotary Club of Victoria and the Victoria Foundation last month announced joint funding of $100,000 to support the ABCs of Physical Literacy at Craigflower Elementary School. The program, offered by the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence (PISE) will teach some 160 children the fundamentals of movement for at least the next two and a half years. Read more about the program.
|
Recent Vital People
|
|
We’re looking forward to bringing you another year of Vital People on CHEK TV. Recent features include Vets for Pets, a group of volunteer veterinarians who offer free care to the pets of homeless and low income Victorians; KidCareCanada Society, which produces educational videos to help bridge the gap between the theory and practice of early childhood development; and a creative gift to the Canadian College of Performing Arts.
While you’re watching videos, take a look at this promo that Community Foundations of Canada President Ian Bird shot for us while he was in town last month.
|
When it comes to giving, Canadians are quietly generous
|
|
The Globe and Mail reported on the Fraser Institute’s annual Generosity Index that found less than a quarter of us give to charity. Interestingly, Victoria’s Vital Signs reported that 26.4% of Greater Victorians gave in 2011, higher than the national (23%) and provincial (21.7%) averages.
|
|
|