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Victoria Foundation's $1.12M funding highlights mental health

The Victoria Foundation has approved $1.12 million in grant funding to local non-profit community groups, a record amount of cash dispersed in one year. “The need was there,” said Robert Janus, director of communications for the foundation.

The Victoria Foundation has approved $1.12 million in grant funding to local non-profit community groups, a record amount of cash dispersed in one year.

“The need was there,” said Robert Janus, director of communications for the foundation. Last year, it awarded $862,000 to 56 organizations out of 61 which applied. This year, 61 of the 75 applicants received funding.

The projects include a community food security network led by Lifecycles Project Society, which received the largest lump sum of the $55,000, and a Canadian National Institute of the Blind program to provide 100 white canes and to train seniors how to use them, which will get $4,000.

Every project awarded funding is tied to one of the community issues identified in the foundation’s annual report card on the region’s standard of living.

“We were pleased to highlight mental health this year because that was a focus in Vital Signs,” Janus said. The Victoria branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association received $33,419 for programs that address youth mental health.

“What’s unique is we’re doing a skills course for both youth and parents in parallel,” said Charlene Dy, B.C. director of branch development and support. “Helping youth build skills over time is more effective than one-off things.”

Money for the grants comes from the foundation’s endowment fund and donors, who are able to choose from projects when the applications are submitted in June.

Other grants include:

• $16,720 for PEERS Drop-in Centre, which lost its funding and drastically reduced hours this year.

• $31,120 for Theatre SKAM to produce a play about the late beloved Victoria arts enthusiast and volunteer Joan Mans.

• $41,500 for the Victoria Conservatory of Music to expand its library for the community and launch a children’s program.

• $52,300 for the Mustard Seed to collaborate with about 25 other agencies on a feasibility study on centralized services.

“We’re all in agreement that we need to co-operate better but we’re so focused on what we do, and the staff is super busy at every agency,” said Jackie Cox-Ziegler, the Mustard Seed’s director of administration. The funds will help the group free up staff for the study, look into consulting and computer systems, and come up with a new business plan by September.

Established in 1936, the Victoria Foundation is Canada’s second oldest community foundation and the fifth largest. Living and late donors’ gifts are managed as income-earning funds, with proceeds going to charity or education — sometimes along the wishes of the donor.

For a project list, go to victoriafoundation.bc.ca.

spetrescu@timescolonist.com