arrow--down--thickarrow--downarrow--leftarrow--link-leftarrow--linkarrow--rightarrow--up--thickarrow--upcaution--circlecheck--circlecheckclose--circleclose--thinclosecross--circledownloadeye--closedeye--opensearchuploadfast-forwardmutepauseplayrewindstopvolumeminusplusenvelopefacebookglobegoogle-plusinstagramlinkedinpinteresttwittervimeoyoutubeVote-Tick
MEDIA CENTER

Record-setting $35,000 invested into the community through Enderby Financial Community Endowment

ENDERBY, B.C. – The First West Foundation, through its Enderby Financial Community Endowment, is granting $35,000 this year—a total of 4 grants— to deserving charities throughout the Enderby area. This is the largest granting cycle in First West Foundation’s 26-year history, with a total of $1,078,983 being dispersed across First West Credit Union’s four local brands— Enderby & District Financial, Island Savings, Envision Financial and Valley First.

This record-setting year has even greater significance with First West Foundation shifting its grantmaking approach to align with trust-based philanthropy principles.

“Trust-based philanthropy is an approach to granting that seeks to shift power inequities between funders, charities and the communities they serve to create a healthier, more equitable sector for all”, says Susan Byrom, executive director of the First West Foundation. “By listening to the feedback of our charitable partners, we have reduced barriers in the grant application process, freeing up their valuable time and resources to help them do what they do best— help our communities thrive.”

Additionally, all funds granted this year are unrestricted, further aligning with the foundation’s trust-based philanthropy evolution. Unrestricted funding provides grantees the flexibility to assess and determine where grant dollars are most needed and allows for innovation, emergent action, and support for operational expenses.

Since 2014, the Enderby Financial Community Endowment has provided 40 grants totaling over $249,654 in funding. Here is the complete list of organizations receiving grants in 2022.

Media Contacts

Josh Juhlke

Communications Manager
c: 604.309.6066
jjuhlke@firstwestcu.ca