The Islands Trust occassionally seeks funding from federal and provincial government sources or foundations for projects which link to its strategic priorities. Grants can be initiated by staff, trustees or community partners whose work furthers the Islands Trust's strategic goals and who often collaborate with the Islands Trust on funded projects.
The availability of outside funding enables Local Trust Committees and Council committees to conduct community consultations, research, mapping or public education for community development work in areas such as affordable housing, climate change and food security.
Since 2011, the following funders supported the Islands Trust:
- The Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia: Salt Spring Community Affordable Housing Study and Strategy, completed in 2011.
- Solar BC:Community Energy System on Lasqueti Island, in progress, and Promotion and Facilitation of Solar Hot Water on Salt Spring Island, completed in 2011.
- Union of BC Municipalities: Through federal and provincially funded programs, UBCM administers grant programs which supported a Seniors Housing Strategy on Salt Spring Island; Senior's Community Gardens on Salt Spring, Thetis and Denman Islands; and tourism-related projects.
- Investment Agriculture Foundation of British Columbia funded the development of the Denman Island Agriculture Area Strategy and ensuing Plan, to be completed in 2012-13.
- DenmanWorks supported a survey of Denman Island agricultural producers and consumers, which supports the development of the Denman Farm Plan.
- Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium, Stewardship Council for BC, and the The Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia are funding Islands Trust's participation in the Green Shores for Homes Program.
- The Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia is also funding a Structured Decision Making (SDM) process for the Salt Spring Island Watershed Protection Authority of which Islands Trust is the lead partner.
- The Philip and Muriel Berman Foundation through the Vancouver Foundation provided funding for the Salt Spring Island Watershed Protection Authority for their SDM process as well as for work of the Technical Advisory Committee.
- The Union of BC Municipalities approved funding for the North Pender Island LTC to undertake Age Friendly Community Planning, and for the Lasqueti Island LTC to undertake an Aging at home project, through the Seniors Housing and Support Initiative.
- Union of BC Municipalities also provided funding for Gambier Island LTC to hold a Community to Community Forum with Squamish First Nation. They have also recently approved funding to Lasqueti, Gabriola and Denman Islands LTCs to conduct similar events.
Seeking and administering grants by the Islands Trust is guided by a Grants and Donations Administration Policy. Any contracts or purchases of goods funded by a grant are subject to the Purchasing Policy.
While the Islands Trust does not have a grants program for community groups to apply directly to, there are numerous other government, foundation and corporate grants available. To help you find funding for your community project, please see a list of grants and available resources. This list is only updated periodically as staff resources and time allow.
