The Interior Savings Community Investment Fund provides one-time financial support to help launch sustainable programs that empower people in our communities with the knowledge, skills and confidence required to achieve their potential. Eligible projects must have a far-reaching, positive impact on the community and a plan to be self-sustainable. The intent of the fund is not to cover operational or capital costs but to help get new programs off the ground, oftentimes by purchasing the necessary equipment.

Allocations typically range between $3,000 and $15,000 depending on the scope and scale of the project and the anticipated impact on the community and surrounding areas.

Applicants for Interior Savings’ Community Investment Funding will only be considered if they are:

• Community-based non-profit, volunteer, or charitable organizations.
• Aligned with one or more of Interior Savings’ community impact objectives:
  • Empowering parents of young children, with a focus on family and financial literacy.
  • Maintaining mental wellness through all stages of life.
  • Maintaining social connection with age and building age-friendly communities.
  • Supporting a strong, cooperative local economy with a focus on cooperative development and social innovation.
• Serving Okanagan, Nicola Valley, Thompson and Central Interior communities (Oliver, Okanagan Falls, Penticton, West Kelowna, Kelowna, Lake Country, Vernon, Chase, Kamloops, Barriere, Clearwater, Ashcroft, Lillooet, Merritt, Prince George, Fort St. John, Hudson’s Hope, and Fort Nelson).

Projects must demonstrate some or all of the following principles:

• Promotion of empowerment, collaboration, and community participation
• Financial sustainability – a plan is in place for funding the program’s ongoing operational costs
• Demonstrable community-wide benefits
• Capacity to leverage additional funding and community resources

The fund is not intended for:

• Capital projects (infrastructure like buildings, playgrounds, etc.)
• Operation costs (such as staff wages, maintenance, facility rentals, travel, food, or other consumable supplies)
• Annual funding
• Projects that impact a limited amount of people or benefit one individual or family
• Projects that are retroactive in nature, have political or religious affiliation or that represent a conflict of interest for Interior Savings, i.e. where Interior Savings considers the issue to be one about which our members may have significantly divergent views

Fund Timelines

Fund allocation occurs twice a year in the spring and fall. Applications for the spring allocation must be received by March 30 and grants will be awarded in May. Applications for the fall allocation must be received by September 30 and grants will be awarded in November.

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