The anticipation of something can be just as exciting as the actual moment. It feels like yesterday we were dreaming of summer vacations, warm weather and beaches. While those moments start to fade, there’s anticipation growing for a new time of year, a time of renewal, re-commitment and reflection.
It’s a time of re-committing to our youth. Summer camps are making way for school bells and buses. The return to the classroom can bring excitement, yet it can also bring plenty of stress and anxiety. There are new classmates, subjects, and even new schools to deal with alongside everything else going on in their lives. As we re-commit to our youth, it reminds us to support them in any way we can.
For us at the Victoria Foundation, and for many community foundations, it is also a time to renew our commitment to the communities and civil society we work with.
September is Community Foundations month across British Columbia. Of the over 200 community foundations in Canada, over 50 are here in our province. Their staff, volunteers and board members are integral to supporting their communities. Community Foundations help people give back to their communities, working with donors and partners to create permanent endowment funds that generate income to support civil society.
The Victoria Foundation has seen incredible growth over the years, now granting an average of $1.5 million a month to people, ideas and activities that strengthen our community. However, it is important to pause and listen to our community, renewing our commitment to them. This summer, our Community Grants Program saw a record number of applicants, showing that the need for support for organizations across our region is ever-present.
Lastly, it is a time to reflect. As we prepare to exercise our right to vote in municipal elections on October 15, I believe it’s important to reflect on the past year. How are we doing as a community? What are the issues facing us and how can we support the organizations working to improve the communities we live in? Reflection on these questions can help bring positive momentum across our region.
So, while this next month may bring a multitude of changes at what feels like a fast pace, it’s also a time for us to pause and begin anew. If we can take the time to re-commit to our community, renew, and reflect, we can help make space to look outwards. Through this, we can channel the anticipation of a fall season into listening and supporting our community going forward.
sandra@victoriafoundation.bc.ca
Sandra Richardson is CEO of the Victoria Foundation.
