The Salmon Arm Bay Nature Enhancement Society (SABNES) is embarking on an exciting project to rebuild a new boardwalk and wildlife viewing platform. This is more than just a structure; it’s an opportunity to preserve access to one of the few remaining urban wetlands where 282 bird species thrive, including the remarkable courtship displays of the Western Grebes.
What a year it’s been. Who could have imagined the changes we would see in the span of 12 months! From the devastating Bush Creek Wildfires to the incredible generosity of our community, we have created newpartnerships while strengthening existing ones.
Download this year’s Community Report to read more.
The 2023 Bush Creek East wildfire caused widespread devastation, displacing families, damaging homes, and disrupting lives. Recognizing the need for coordinated support, the Shuswap Community Foundation created the Emergency Response Fund to provide timely aid when matters most, addressing the needs of disaster-affected areas in our home region of the Shuswap.
The Shuswap Community Foundation supports community building through philanthropy, and our twice-yearly grant cycles are a powerful way to do that. Every year, we offer charities and non-profits in the Shuswap opportunities to access grant funding that supports community improvement in the arts and culture, health and wellness, human services, recreation, sport, education, and environmental sectors.
Philanthropy doesn’t come in just one shade or size. People worldwide donate what money and time they can to further the well-being and creative endeavours of others. Through their generous donations, the marginalized are helped, our cultural life is vibrant, scholarships and bursaries build productive students and universities, and hospitals are better equipped.
Mark Corbett was raised on an acreage outside of Calgary and loved riding horses, biking, building forts, and camping.Mark’s upbringing fueled his passion for the mountains, seeking new adventures, travelling and being outdoors. He was never one to sit still or be idle in life – he was always pursuing something or planning his next adventure.
The Jaxon Endowment Fund was created to honour the incredible legacy of Jaxon, born June 27th, 2018. Jaxon spent the early months of his life wrapped in a special blanket inscribed with the words “brave, fighter, warrior, superhero” a testament to his resilient spirit. For 1,493 days, Jaxon was a little fighter and a true miracle, touching the hearts of everyone around him.
In 2022, Shuswap Community Foundation received a record-breaking donation of almost $1.6 million from an anonymous donor who requested that the funds be used to support local entrepreneurs and businesses. This is the largest donation in the Foundation’s history and has resulted in the creation of the JOBS Endowment Fund.
SAMA established the Salmon Arm Métis Association Bursary Fund to help Métis youth pursue their post secondary education. Income from the fund is disbursed to School District #83, which awards two bursaries annually to Métis students who have registered in a post secondary educational or vocational program at an accredited institution.
David and Maureen Wooliams passionately believe in the value and benefits of exercise, social interaction, good nutrition, and healthy lifestyle choices. They created the Quality4Life Fund to support people and organizations in the Shuswap that provide physical, mental, and social services which lead to an improved quality of life.
Every year, our grant recipients share their stories and express thanks to the generous donors who have supported their projects. You can find all of their “Thank You” videos and more on YouTube.
