Meet the many people who are giving back and giving power to others in our local communities, through setting up a donation, grant or bursary opportunity, by volunteering, or by receiving funding to carry out unique and inspiring community projects, programs, and events. Browse our story catalogue below!
Community Programs
AUD Project helps Princeton woman find success
A series of stories related to the Community Foundation’s AUD project are being published in the Similkameen Spotlight. Read the...
Indiginews features Table Talks Initiative
Indiginews reporter, Aaron Hemens, writes about the upcoming Table Talks initiative, created in partnership with IndigenEYEZ and the Community Foundation...
Bridging reconciliation gaps through conversation
Table Talks, a new pilot program in the South Okanagan will bring Indigenous and non-Indigenous community members together in a...
Summerland supports family displaced by war
Thanks to dedicated support from the Summerland Refugee Sponsorship Group and a generous donation from the 100 Women Who Care...
The power of youth to build community
“Our youth are facing unbelievable challenges,” say Kim Conroy, manager of Foundry Penticton, a youth centre which opened its doors...
New treatment transforms lives
NP Patrice Gordon helps patients overcome alcohol addiction by prescribing a simple prescription medication that takes away cravings and withdrawal...
Community Funds
Helping Kaleden stay “a special place forever”
When Tom and Sue Kelly used to drive home from Penticton at the end of a work day, turning into...
Princeton and area fire departments win big at community event
The Princeton, Erris, Eastgate, Hayes Creek and Tulameen fire departments have been exhausted by two intense back-to-back wildfire seasons, left...
Personal Funds
Reviving Ryga’s Legacy in Summerland
What Shakespeare is to Stratford-upon-Avon, George Ryga is to Summerland. Many Summerlanders are familiar with this name, whether it be...
Knights in for the long-haul when it comes to supporting local charity
Over 30 years of running a used newspaper collection program, the local Knights of Pythias raised more than $300,000 to...
Knights of Pythias fund helps 9 local charities
Funds for the donations to 9 local charities come from the interest earned on money raised by the Knights of...
Fund helps symphony and youth programming
Now is the perfect time to help support the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra, including their mentorship program for youth musicians, through...
Providence Legacy Fund pays tribute to the individual and our community
The new Providence Funeral Homes Legacy Fund offers families the opportunity to honour their loved ones in a new, unique,...
Building a safe place to recover
With a safe place to stay, local mother, Sally, was able to focus on completing a recovery program, all with...
Donor thrilled to visit Mamas for Mamas
While some people come to the Foundation with a clear idea of a charity they’d like to support, many others,...
Summerland Middle School Breakfast Program gets a boost
It’s a typical morning at Summerland Middle School. The school is bustling with kids coming in and out, laughing, playing...
Paying it forward to students in need
When Dr. John Scarfo’s parents moved to Canada from Italy they dreamed of an easier, more prosperous life for their family. They arrived in Canada...
Long-time Princeton resident gives back to community
If you’ve lived in Princeton for a while, you’ve likely met George Kassa. He called the small town home for 83 years, and until his death...
Helping the symphony play in Penticton
An Okanagan Symphony concert is entertaining but the cost to host such an event may surprise some. “When we get...
Meiklejohn family gives to whole community
Many long-time Penticton residents are probably familiar with the last name Meiklejohn, which established its first architecture firm in the city more than 60 years ago. ...
Artist’s legacy helps fellow artist enrich her skills
Bethany Handfield was thrilled when she received the news from the organizer of the 11th Annual Encaustic Conference that she...
Creating fund brings peace of mind to community volunteer
Merle Waite is a quiet, kind-hearted woman from Penticton who made an important decision to create lasting impact in her community. Merle...
Preserving the fruits of the Okanagan
In 2016, the Okanagan School of the Arts received a grant from the Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen...
Get Involved
100 Men needs guys for charity event
The September 100 Men Who Care event will be hosted at the Summerland Heritage Cidery Company. Learn more in this...
Kim Lyster: Changing the conversation
When Kim Lyster was recruited to the Community Foundation board, it was a well-functioning but traditional organization. She saw an...
Marielle Brule: “Let’s start with yes”
Even after more than a decade of serving on the Community Foundation’s board, Marielle Brule would have signed up for...
Men band together to help
The 100 Men Who Care organization in Penticton is looking for new members who care about their community and want...
The power of youth to build community
“Our youth are facing unbelievable challenges,” say Kim Conroy, manager of Foundry Penticton, a youth centre which opened its doors...
Giving Events
New computers help streamline Society’s admin tasks
Thanks to a 2023 Foundation grant, the Oliver Senior Centre Society has greatly improved its organizational efficiency. The grant was...
Overcoming barriers and improving access
For those in our communities who experience physical, social or economic barriers, accessing life-changing services can be a confusing and...
ALERT volunteers can breathe easier when rescuing animals
When natural or man-made disasters happen, people need to make quick decisions about their personal safety. This could mean their...
Youth now have support dealing with grief and loss
Processing the grief that accompanies the loss of a loved one is difficult for all of us. For a young...
Grant helps seniors services in the Similkameen keep on rolling
Many seniors across the South Okanagan Similkameen depend on the support of community agencies to help them live their lives to...
Local hamper program helps keep food on the table
The Food Cupboard at Oasis Church has seen firsthand how the pandemic and resulting economic slowdown has impacted people struggling...
First chance to give back
100 Men are hosting their first event of 2023, with a focus on mental health awareness. Read more in these...
Charity sets new course in response to pandemic
NeighbourLink Summerland is a volunteer-driven organization that has been supporting vulnerable community members – particularly seniors – for more than...
Safe home provides a haven of security and support
“The pandemic seems to have stirred something up.” These are the words that Marieze Tarr, Executive Director of South Okanagan...
Grant helps newcomers move ahead
It can take as many as 15 years for newcomers to settle in Canada. The move can be even more...
Charity keeps on cooking with new kitchen
In the Spring of 2022, after 12 years in the same location, The Canadian Mental Health Association of the South...
Planting seeds of hope
Community foundations throughout the Okanagan are collaborating to offer social enterprises up to $75,000 in funding. Read this Castanet story...
Funding to advance gender equality at local organizations
The South Okanagan Women in Need Society (SOWINS) was a past recipient of the gender equality grant. Read all about...
100 Women award $5,600 to local charities
Penticton’s 100 Women who Care group was back at it again this week, awarding $5,600 in total to deserving local...
Neighbourhood BBQs and block parties!
If you’ve seen a neighbourhood block party pop up around the region, it’s likely thanks to funding from Neighbourhood Small...
Grant to Arts Council keeps on giving
If you were out and about last year, you probably saw The Penticton & District Arts Council at KidsFest, Indigenous...
100 years of help in the Princeton community
St.Paul’s United Church is capping off more than 100 years in Princeton with a final gift to the community – a...
Foundation grants call for applications!
Registered charities and qualified donees are now able to apply for South Okanagan Similkameen Community Foundation grants for 2023. The...
Block party celebrates flood homecoming
After months of rebuilding, cleaning up and hardships, a couple of Princeton residents brought back some cheer into their community with...
Fire prevention on Finnerty
With a Neighbourhood Small Grant, neighbours on Finnerty in Penticton completed a Fire Smart assessment, with a recommendation to remove...
Grants
New computers help streamline Society’s admin tasks
Thanks to a 2023 Foundation grant, the Oliver Senior Centre Society has greatly improved its organizational efficiency. The grant was...
Overcoming barriers and improving access
For those in our communities who experience physical, social or economic barriers, accessing life-changing services can be a confusing and...
ALERT volunteers can breathe easier when rescuing animals
When natural or man-made disasters happen, people need to make quick decisions about their personal safety. This could mean their...
Youth now have support dealing with grief and loss
Processing the grief that accompanies the loss of a loved one is difficult for all of us. For a young...
News
First chance to give back
100 Men are hosting their first event of 2023, with a focus on mental health awareness. Read more in these...
Remembering a community builder
When I met up with John and Bob Armstrong to discuss the passing of their father, Charles Armstrong, they were...
Bursary established to honour former Keremeos editor
New fund will help graduates at Similkameen Elementary Secondary School pursue their dreams. Read the full story in the Similkameen...
Planting seeds of hope
Community foundations throughout the Okanagan are collaborating to offer social enterprises up to $75,000 in funding. Read this Castanet story...
Funding to advance gender equality at local organizations
The South Okanagan Women in Need Society (SOWINS) was a past recipient of the gender equality grant. Read all about...
100 Women award $5,600 to local charities
Penticton’s 100 Women who Care group was back at it again this week, awarding $5,600 in total to deserving local...
AUD Project helps Princeton woman find success
A series of stories related to the Community Foundation’s AUD project are being published in the Similkameen Spotlight. Read the...
100 Men needs guys for charity event
The September 100 Men Who Care event will be hosted at the Summerland Heritage Cidery Company. Learn more in this...
Foundation grants call for applications!
Registered charities and qualified donees are now able to apply for South Okanagan Similkameen Community Foundation grants for 2023. The...
Block party celebrates flood homecoming
After months of rebuilding, cleaning up and hardships, a couple of Princeton residents brought back some cheer into their community with...
Bursaries
New computers help streamline Society’s admin tasks
Thanks to a 2023 Foundation grant, the Oliver Senior Centre Society has greatly improved its organizational efficiency. The grant was...
Overcoming barriers and improving access
For those in our communities who experience physical, social or economic barriers, accessing life-changing services can be a confusing and...
ALERT volunteers can breathe easier when rescuing animals
When natural or man-made disasters happen, people need to make quick decisions about their personal safety. This could mean their...
Youth now have support dealing with grief and loss
Processing the grief that accompanies the loss of a loved one is difficult for all of us. For a young...
Grant helps seniors services in the Similkameen keep on rolling
Many seniors across the South Okanagan Similkameen depend on the support of community agencies to help them live their lives to...
Local hamper program helps keep food on the table
The Food Cupboard at Oasis Church has seen firsthand how the pandemic and resulting economic slowdown has impacted people struggling...
First chance to give back
100 Men are hosting their first event of 2023, with a focus on mental health awareness. Read more in these...
Charity sets new course in response to pandemic
NeighbourLink Summerland is a volunteer-driven organization that has been supporting vulnerable community members – particularly seniors – for more than...
Safe home provides a haven of security and support
“The pandemic seems to have stirred something up.” These are the words that Marieze Tarr, Executive Director of South Okanagan...
Grant helps newcomers move ahead
It can take as many as 15 years for newcomers to settle in Canada. The move can be even more...
Charity keeps on cooking with new kitchen
In the Spring of 2022, after 12 years in the same location, The Canadian Mental Health Association of the South...
Planting seeds of hope
Community foundations throughout the Okanagan are collaborating to offer social enterprises up to $75,000 in funding. Read this Castanet story...
Funding to advance gender equality at local organizations
The South Okanagan Women in Need Society (SOWINS) was a past recipient of the gender equality grant. Read all about...
100 Women award $5,600 to local charities
Penticton’s 100 Women who Care group was back at it again this week, awarding $5,600 in total to deserving local...
Neighbourhood BBQs and block parties!
If you’ve seen a neighbourhood block party pop up around the region, it’s likely thanks to funding from Neighbourhood Small...
Grant to Arts Council keeps on giving
If you were out and about last year, you probably saw The Penticton & District Arts Council at KidsFest, Indigenous...
100 years of help in the Princeton community
St.Paul’s United Church is capping off more than 100 years in Princeton with a final gift to the community – a...
Foundation grants call for applications!
Registered charities and qualified donees are now able to apply for South Okanagan Similkameen Community Foundation grants for 2023. The...
Block party celebrates flood homecoming
After months of rebuilding, cleaning up and hardships, a couple of Princeton residents brought back some cheer into their community with...
Fire prevention on Finnerty
With a Neighbourhood Small Grant, neighbours on Finnerty in Penticton completed a Fire Smart assessment, with a recommendation to remove...
Impact Investing
New computers help streamline Society’s admin tasks
Thanks to a 2023 Foundation grant, the Oliver Senior Centre Society has greatly improved its organizational efficiency. The grant was...
Overcoming barriers and improving access
For those in our communities who experience physical, social or economic barriers, accessing life-changing services can be a confusing and...
ALERT volunteers can breathe easier when rescuing animals
When natural or man-made disasters happen, people need to make quick decisions about their personal safety. This could mean their...
Youth now have support dealing with grief and loss
Processing the grief that accompanies the loss of a loved one is difficult for all of us. For a young...
Grant helps seniors services in the Similkameen keep on rolling
Many seniors across the South Okanagan Similkameen depend on the support of community agencies to help them live their lives to...
Local hamper program helps keep food on the table
The Food Cupboard at Oasis Church has seen firsthand how the pandemic and resulting economic slowdown has impacted people struggling...
First chance to give back
100 Men are hosting their first event of 2023, with a focus on mental health awareness. Read more in these...
Charity sets new course in response to pandemic
NeighbourLink Summerland is a volunteer-driven organization that has been supporting vulnerable community members – particularly seniors – for more than...
Safe home provides a haven of security and support
“The pandemic seems to have stirred something up.” These are the words that Marieze Tarr, Executive Director of South Okanagan...
Grant helps newcomers move ahead
It can take as many as 15 years for newcomers to settle in Canada. The move can be even more...
Charity keeps on cooking with new kitchen
In the Spring of 2022, after 12 years in the same location, The Canadian Mental Health Association of the South...
Planting seeds of hope
Community foundations throughout the Okanagan are collaborating to offer social enterprises up to $75,000 in funding. Read this Castanet story...
Funding to advance gender equality at local organizations
The South Okanagan Women in Need Society (SOWINS) was a past recipient of the gender equality grant. Read all about...
100 Women award $5,600 to local charities
Penticton’s 100 Women who Care group was back at it again this week, awarding $5,600 in total to deserving local...
Neighbourhood BBQs and block parties!
If you’ve seen a neighbourhood block party pop up around the region, it’s likely thanks to funding from Neighbourhood Small...
Grant to Arts Council keeps on giving
If you were out and about last year, you probably saw The Penticton & District Arts Council at KidsFest, Indigenous...
100 years of help in the Princeton community
St.Paul’s United Church is capping off more than 100 years in Princeton with a final gift to the community – a...
Foundation grants call for applications!
Registered charities and qualified donees are now able to apply for South Okanagan Similkameen Community Foundation grants for 2023. The...
Block party celebrates flood homecoming
After months of rebuilding, cleaning up and hardships, a couple of Princeton residents brought back some cheer into their community with...
Fire prevention on Finnerty
With a Neighbourhood Small Grant, neighbours on Finnerty in Penticton completed a Fire Smart assessment, with a recommendation to remove...
Past Grant Recipients
New computers help streamline Society’s admin tasks
Thanks to a 2023 Foundation grant, the Oliver Senior Centre Society has greatly improved its organizational efficiency. The grant was...
Overcoming barriers and improving access
For those in our communities who experience physical, social or economic barriers, accessing life-changing services can be a confusing and...
ALERT volunteers can breathe easier when rescuing animals
When natural or man-made disasters happen, people need to make quick decisions about their personal safety. This could mean their...
Youth now have support dealing with grief and loss
Processing the grief that accompanies the loss of a loved one is difficult for all of us. For a young...
Grant helps seniors services in the Similkameen keep on rolling
Many seniors across the South Okanagan Similkameen depend on the support of community agencies to help them live their lives to...
Local hamper program helps keep food on the table
The Food Cupboard at Oasis Church has seen firsthand how the pandemic and resulting economic slowdown has impacted people struggling...
First chance to give back
100 Men are hosting their first event of 2023, with a focus on mental health awareness. Read more in these...
Charity sets new course in response to pandemic
NeighbourLink Summerland is a volunteer-driven organization that has been supporting vulnerable community members – particularly seniors – for more than...
Safe home provides a haven of security and support
“The pandemic seems to have stirred something up.” These are the words that Marieze Tarr, Executive Director of South Okanagan...
Grant helps newcomers move ahead
It can take as many as 15 years for newcomers to settle in Canada. The move can be even more...
Charity keeps on cooking with new kitchen
In the Spring of 2022, after 12 years in the same location, The Canadian Mental Health Association of the South...
Planting seeds of hope
Community foundations throughout the Okanagan are collaborating to offer social enterprises up to $75,000 in funding. Read this Castanet story...
Funding to advance gender equality at local organizations
The South Okanagan Women in Need Society (SOWINS) was a past recipient of the gender equality grant. Read all about...
100 Women award $5,600 to local charities
Penticton’s 100 Women who Care group was back at it again this week, awarding $5,600 in total to deserving local...
Neighbourhood BBQs and block parties!
If you’ve seen a neighbourhood block party pop up around the region, it’s likely thanks to funding from Neighbourhood Small...
Grant to Arts Council keeps on giving
If you were out and about last year, you probably saw The Penticton & District Arts Council at KidsFest, Indigenous...
100 years of help in the Princeton community
St.Paul’s United Church is capping off more than 100 years in Princeton with a final gift to the community – a...
Foundation grants call for applications!
Registered charities and qualified donees are now able to apply for South Okanagan Similkameen Community Foundation grants for 2023. The...
Block party celebrates flood homecoming
After months of rebuilding, cleaning up and hardships, a couple of Princeton residents brought back some cheer into their community with...
Fire prevention on Finnerty
With a Neighbourhood Small Grant, neighbours on Finnerty in Penticton completed a Fire Smart assessment, with a recommendation to remove...
