The Community Foundation of the South Okanagan-Similkameen (CFSOS) has announced it launched its 2020 granting cycle on Aug. 23.

The Community Foundation will be distributing more than $330,000 to charities throughout the South Okanagan and Similkameen in 2020, reads the media release. Grants are open to local organizations in the RDOS region who are a registered charity or who have a qualified donee or a partner charitable organization they work with.

The deadline to apply is Oct. 18, with grant awards being distributed in January 2020.

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“While there is always a need for short term funding priorities it is always our goal to support a broad cross section of community need through sustainable grants that often include supporting the operating needs for charities, which is often not a priority for many local funders,” said Sarah Trudeau, manager of grants and community initiatives.

“We aim to support projects that are addressing an area of significant need and specifically ones that have been identified in our 2018 Vital Signs Report. Vital Signs is an important aspect of our granting, as it gives us a snapshot of where support is needed in our community,” Trudeau added.

“It also provides applicants a sense of where the Foundation is looking to provide funding and it gives our grants committee direction on where the money should be distributed,” added Trudeau.

Applying for a grant from the Community Foundation is done online in an easy to use software. “If you applied for a grant last year you will be able to log into your account and your organizational information will be saved and your past applications, information and correspondence will all be available to you,” said Trudeau.

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“We’re excited to offer both a short-form and long-form application,” added Trudeau.

Projects under $1,000 in value will be able to complete the application process in a matter of minutes. For requests of more than $1,000, more detailed questions about project goals and budgets will be required.

The Foundation is hosting Free Grant Writing Workshops throughout the region this September. Anyone who applies for grants or is interested in applying to the Community Foundation is encouraged to attend. The seminars will cover general grant writing strategies and how to complete the application.

Space is limited so those interested are encouraged to register by calling 250-493-9311 or email admin@cfso.net. Workshop dates take place Sept. 24 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Osyoos at the Sonora Community Centre. On Sept. 25 from 2 to 4 p.m. in Penticton at the Shatford Centre and on Sept. 26 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Princeton at the Princeton Museum.

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