FOR THE COMMUNITY
2020 HIGHLIGHTS
Creating capacity and bettering lives in our communities
4,314 hours of community leadership
Our employees applied leadership and professional skills to create capacity for more than 115 B.C.-based charitable organizations. Recognizing these efforts, our Lead Well Employee Recognition program funded 80 $500 grants to support non-profits selected by employees.
$10,500 donated through #FWWednesday
Themed Wednesdays throughout the year encouraged employees to share photos and positive messages on First West’s internal social networking platform, with a goal of raising funds for local charities and our signature cause.
18 hand-crafted blankets
Employees rallied to support the YMCA of Okanagan Young Parents Program, contributing over 250 hours of volunteer time to make blankets which were donated to infants and toddlers.
150 volunteer activities
As part of our annual Make a Difference Days, employees volunteered 203 hours of their time, virtually and physically where approved COVID-19 safety precautious were in place, with charities in our communities.
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$32.7 million for community causes
Giving back to our communities isn’t just a part of what we do—it’s who we are. Since coming together as First West in 2010, our credit union has invested more than $32.7 million into supporting local non-profit and charitable organizations.
1,409,808 meals for those in-need
Our Signature Cause programs, supporting 35% of registered food banks across B.C., were bolstered in 2020 through continued employee-led fundraising and community partnerships, raising $469,936. Since 2010, First West has raised nearly $4.0 million and collected 194,498 pounds of food for local food banks.
Learn more about our signature cause programs at Envision Financial, Valley First and Enderby & District Financial, and Island Savings.
2020 Highlights
First West Foundation has been working to create resilient and resourceful communities since 1996

$1.2 million
Unrestricted funding was granted through the Community Response Fund and First West Foundation’s regular granting programs to support those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

$109,856 donated
Our employees generously donated to Foundation endowment funds which disperse money to causes in the community, Feed the Valley and The Full Cupboard programs and to key community partners.

136 local charities
Support from the First West Foundation helped scores of local charities deliver programs and services that help build community resilience and resourcefulness.
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