Success Stories

 

Our grants and funds tackle poverty and health issues, affordable housing, seniors’ programs, children and youth, environment, the arts and much more.

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Cortes Literacy/FolkU

In collaboration with Cortes Literacy and Folk University, the Cortes Island Community Foundation has been working to support island-wide community literacy programming. We have supported weekly neighbour-led learning sessions (FolkU Fridays), the Cortes Book Club, a writing workshop series in partnership with Vancouver Island Regional Library, and exciting one-off workshops on journalism, cooking, and more! Stay tuned for more learning opportunities to come.

 

Live Music

In partnership with FolkU and Cortes Community Radio (CKTZ), the Cortes Island Community Foundation supported a weekly live music series at our island’s Friday farmer’s market. Performed to a live audience and simultaneously broadcast on CKTZ from the Village Commons tent, this event series ran for 9 weeks and hosted 17 local musicians.

The Giving Well

The Cortes Island Community Foundation has been chosen to participate in a one-time experiment in low-barrier, direct giving to our Cortes community. In 2023, with the help of our amazing community cultivators, the CICF was able to give out over $180,000 to community memeber on Cortes who are in acute financial need!

Cortes Island Academy

The Cortes Island Academy (CIA) is a program of School District 72 in collaboration with Cortes Island Community Foundation, Folk University, and the people of Cortes Island. The program began in 2022 and offers two quarters (10 weeks each) of immersive, experiential, project-based learning on Cortes Island. These offerings will be overseen by SD72 teachers and staff with local facilitators, mentors, and knowledge holders to ensure that the program truly represents the unique talents, opportunities, and natural offerings of Cortes Island.  The CIA pilot program demonstrates SD72’s commitment to improving student achievement, building a culture of learning and wellness, and honouring Indigenous world views and perspectives.

2023 MicroGrants

The MicroGrants 4 Neighbours program gets small amounts of money (usually $50 to $500) directly into the hands of neighbours doing important things for the community. This program developed out of Cortes Literacy’s seed grant program in partnership with Folk University. In 2023 we were able to fund 13 different projects surrounding the theme of youth empowerment, which means prioritizing projects that are youth-led or youth serving. Our 2023 MicroGrants for Neighbours was supported by The Campbell River Foundation, Decoda Literacy, Neighbourhood Small Grants and The Cortes Island School. 

Please consider a tax-deductible donation to the MicroGrants 4 Neighbours Fund.

Learn more and get inspired by watching the video below made by Immanuel McKenty.

Grants, Grants and More Grants!

Over the past 2 years our small community foundation has granted over $160,000 into our community. We participated in the Canada Emergency Recovery Fund grant and the Gender Equity grant. Each year we hope to grow our community granting program to help financially support our communities organizations.

The Launch of our Social Profit Network

The Cortes Island Community Foundation has been working over the past few years to create a network to provide support to our islands many Social Profit organizations (which is over 30!). With this network we hope to provide support by helping to compile useful resources, develop funds & provide philanthropic tools. In 2023 we hosted our 2nd in-person gathering. Watch the video to learn more about the network and click here to read about past gatherings.