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BC Interior Community Foundation is pleased to announce $615,000 in funding to support nine projects in the Thompson, Nicola and South Thompson region through the Government of British Columbia’s Community Prosperity Fund. The Community Prosperity Fund is a $25 million investment from the Government of B.C. that advances poverty reduction and social inclusion. The fund was announced on the inaugural B.C. Nonprofit Recognition Day. This fund is part of the Government of B.C.’s commitment to supporting the non-profit sector and empowering local communities to make decisions about what would most benefit them and their communities. The following projects are being supported in Ashcroft, Chase, Merritt, and Kamloops. • $100,000 was invested to A Way Home Kamloops Society to support the operation of their Scattered Sites Housing Program that provides a Housing First solution to homelessness; • $100,000 was invested in the BC Association of Pregnancy Outreach Programs to move forward with their mission to operate a 6-bedroom bed-based program for perinatal individuals, who use or have used substances, and their infants; • $70,087 was invested to Big Bear Child and Youth Advocacy Centre to support and sustain their core operations and activities; • $80,821 was invested to Chase and Area Family Services to provide direct community support in food justice, low-income assistance, and resource provision; • $100,000 was invested to fund Kamloops Pastoral Charge United Church of Canada to support the PITStop program; • $80,822 was invested to fund Kamloops Sexual Assault Counselling Centre Society to build and deliver support groups; • $29,350 was invested to fund Nicola Valley Community Arts Council to facilitate therapeutic art programs; • $50,000 was invested in The Ashcroft HUB Society to sustain core operations and enhance staff training, increasing their overall capacity. • $3,920 was invested to fund Kamloops Hospice Association to support staff in completing a certificate program, equipping them to provide culturally relevant care to those in their final stages of life. Through the Community Prosperity Fund, funded recipients have an opportunity to implement the funding over up to three years and support operational expenses or project delivery. The Community Prosperity Fund supports vital non-profits that serve communities in B.C. Recipients funded are important partners, often providing services to those made vulnerable in all corners of British Columbia. For more information, visit the Vancouver Foundation’s website. For more information on BC Interior Community Foundation, visit our website at www.bcicf.ca. For media inquiries, please contact: Wenda Noonan, BC Interior Community Foundation Executive Director [email protected] or 250-318-4444 Quotes “Over the past few years, British Columbians continue to showcase resilience, innovation, and tenacity as they face new challenges. Community service groups across the province are playing a pivotal role in supporting communities,” said Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development and Non-profits Megan Dykeman. “Myself and Premier David Eby are elated to announce $60 million in funding to not-for-profits, and we thank local community foundations who have supported in the funding’s distribution.” – Megan Dykeman, Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development and Non-Profits About BC Interior Community Foundation: The BC Interior Community Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to improving the lives of residents in the BC Interior region. Through partnerships, grants, and initiatives, BCICF works to address community needs, foster collaboration, and build a stronger and more vibrant community for all. Donations to the BCICF are invested in permanent, endowed funds, valued at over $11 million. The principal is protected, and the annual earned interest income is used to support student awards and a wide variety of charities and charitable projects and programs.

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