LANGLEY, B.C.–First West Foundation, through its Envision Financial, Valley First, Island Savings, and Enderby Financial Community Endowments and named endowments, is granting $2,278,326 this year to deserving charities throughout B.C.
This milestone represents part of First West Foundation’s commitment to exceed the Canada Revenue Agency’s minimum disbursement rate of 5%. The disbursement rate represents the percentage of a foundation’s assets that must be granted out annually to maintain charitable status. In 2025, the Foundation will achieve its highest granting rate in history—12%—equivalent to $2,278,326 in total annual disbursements, demonstrating a commitment that goes well beyond regulatory requirements.
“Our community partners are on the front lines, providing essential services and programs, ” says Susan Byrom, Executive Director of First West Foundation. “As their partner, we hear directly from them about the increasing challenges communities are facing. When our partners tell us the need is urgent, we respond—and right now, that means stepping up with the highest granting rate in our history to ensure we’re supporting them when it matters most.”
Building on this community-responsive approach, the Foundation continues to emphasize alignment with its six Sustainable Development Goals— no poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, quality education, reduced inequalities, and partnerships for the goals. This commitment is delivered through trust-based philanthropy, which remains central to the Foundation’s work by providing flexible, unrestricted resources allowing grantees to allocate funds according to their priorities and respond dynamically to emerging needs.
The $2,278,326 in grants is comprised of several different grant amounts, including:
- $1,179,403 through regional community endowments, Named Endowments, the Keeping a Good Thing Growing endowment and First West Credit Union Leaders Fund
- $41,033 through the Envision Financial Employees Endowment
- $453,011 through the SOAR Program, which focuses on equity-deserving charities
- $604,879 will be distributed this fall through its regional community and named endowments
New Capacity Building Initiative
First West Foundation has committed $33,000 to launch UPLIFT, a new capacity building program developed in partnership with the New School of Fundraising. This innovative program is designed for small to medium organizations with under $1.5 million in annual revenue to strengthen their fundraising, communications, and marketing capabilities.
Up to 48 organizations will access this training through Foundation bursaries, with recruitment currently underway from the Foundation’s existing database and additional outreach planned in the coming weeks.
Established in 1996, the First West Foundation has donated more than $13 million in grants to local community groups and projects across British Columbia.
For a full list of all recipient organizations, visit: https://firstwestfoundation.ca/content/2025-grantees