The Williams Lake and District Credit Union's Community Investment Fund supports local non-profit organizations and community groups with projects and initiatives that contribute to economic revitalization and improvement in quality of life while breaking down barriers in order to help families achieve economic success and enhanced quality of life. The projects the Credit Union funds give special consideration to youth, entrepreneurs, immigrants, low-income, working families, and aboriginal peoples.
Williams Lake and District Credit Union has a proud history of supporting the communities it serves. Its vision is to be recognized as a leader in community involvement. This is reflected in a philosophy which focuses on enhancing and building community partnerships. The Credit Union believes corporate giving is about building relationships within its communities and offering its help in many ways. The Credit Union supports its communities through funding, staff expertise, and the energy and commitment of staff volunteers.
Grant Guidelines
Grant applications related to the following focus areas are welcomed
Economic revitalization refers to a broad range of activities, programs and initiatives of community-based organizations, government and business that are designed to improve the economic well-being of individuals and communities. Examples include poverty reduction, housing, organizational and community capacity building, and social enterprise (non-profit organizations operating a business).
Social, economic and cultural opportunities contribute to the ability of individuals and communities to fully participate in the local economy and an enhanced quality of life. This area supports activities, programs and initiatives that increase access to social, economic and cultural opportunities. Examples include arts and culture, recreation programs and employment training.
What Williams Lake and District Credit Union Funds
The Credit Union supports community-based projects created to improve economic opportunities, quality of life, and access to social, economic and cultural opportunities. For example, initiatives that create employment opportunities or improve accessibility, programs that reduce barriers to employment, or programs that provide opportunities for children to attend arts and cultural events.
The Credit Union invests financial and human resources in community-based, multi-stakeholder planning processes which are designed to improve economic well-being and overall quality of life. This might include community forums or initiatives with a mandate to reduce poverty or address issues such as affordable housing.
- Organizational Development
The Credit Union helps strengthen the capacity of the non-profit sector through the provision of Organizational Development Grants, so that organizations can help individuals and families achieve economic success and enhanced quality of life. This might include support to non-profit organizations for strategic planning, communications strategies or a business plan.
The Credit Union wants to increase the capacity of organizations and sectors working to improve economic conditions and quality of life in its communities. Community Learning Grants include support for conferences, education and training seminars, and bursaries or subsidies to cover registration and/or the cost of attendance for our community partners.
We Do Not Support
- Plititcal paries or activities
- Religious activities (except for secular activities/services offered on a non-denominational basis)
- Grants to individuals
- Deficit funding
- Retroactive funding
- Programs or initiatives outside Williams Lake and District Credit Union's market area
- Controversial issues
Application Requirements
Please include the following in your application for funding:
- Contact information (name of organization, contact name, etc.)
- A brief history of the organization and its mandate
- A current list of the organization's Board of Directors
- A copy of the most recent financial statements
- A brief description of the project, its objectives and the amount of funding requested
- An activity plan, including a timeline and deliverables
- Describe how you will measure the success of this project
- Identify which communities and target audiences will benefit from the project
- List all the collaborating community groups, agencies, stakeholders or individuals involved with this project
- List other funding partners or sources of funding
- Describe how Williams Lake and District Credit Union support for this project will be recognized
- List any Credit Union employees involved in your organization
- Describe any volunteer opportunities for Credit Union employees
- Provide details on any past support received from Williams Lake and District Credit Union
- Include two letters of support from community partners
Grant Approval Process
Funding applications will be accepted twice per year (deadlines are March 31st and September 30th) and will be reviewed on a rolling basis by the Community Investment Committee at Williams Lake and District Credit Union. Please allow at least one month for a response to your application. We will respond in writing to all applicants regarding the status of their application.
If your grant application is approved, you will be required to sign a Funding Agreement and submit a project evaluation form at the end of your project.
Please Note:
- Total funding for this initiative is $50,000 per year. An initial $25,000 will be awarded in the spring (April) and the remaining $25,000 will be awarded in the fall (October).
- Maximum amount granted per organization is $5,000.
- To be considered, applicants must be existing,
active members of Williams Lake and District Credit Union or they must demonstrate commitment to becoming members of the Credit Union prior to the funds being disbursed.
- Williams Lake and District Credit Union reserves the right to publish the names of the successful applicants in its marketing materials, including newspapers, radio broadcasts, and bulletin boards.
Please submit written applications to:
Williams Lake and District Credit Union
Attn: Chair, Community Investment Fund Committee
139 North 3rd Avenue
Williams Lake, BC, V2G 2A5