United Way Southern Vancouver Island (UWSVI) announced Aug. 15 the launch of two new grant programs aimed at addressing pressing community issues through youth leadership and enhanced charitable capacity.
The Youth in Action Grant and the Future Empowerment Grant represent a comprehensive approach to community development, targeting both emerging young leaders and established organizations.
"Charities and young people share a focus on the future, on what is possible for us to create and change," said Erika Stenson, executive director of UWSVI. "These grants are only possible due to the support of individual donors, local workplaces, corporate donors, and sponsors."
The dual grant approach aims to create a more direct link between community donors and tangible outcomes, ensuring that contributions translate into meaningful, measurable impacts.
Previous Youth in Action projects have already made significant impacts. These include distributing care packages to hospitalized children with anxiety, enhancing the Westshore Indigenous Plant Garden, and addressing food insecurity at Belmont Secondary School.
Both programs are designed to address specific community challenges. The Youth in Action Grant tackles youth disconnection and lack of empowerment, while the Future Empowerment Grant addresses the limited capacity of local charities to meet growing community needs.
"We're not just funding projects – we're catalyzing a movement of community problem-solvers, young and established alike," Stenson added.
| Aspect | Youth in Action Grant | Future Empowerment Grant |
|---|---|---|
| Who can apply? |
• Youth aged 14-24; • Organizations serving youth; • Indigenous-led organizations; • Local schools and school districts. |
• Registered charitable organizations; • Indigenous-led organizations; • Must align with UWSVI's areas of action. |
| Funding amount |
• Up to $500 for individuals; • Up to $3,000 for organizations. |
• Up to $75,000 per project. |
| Total funding pool | $40,000 | $2 million |
| Project timeline | Jan. 1, 2025 - May 31, 2025 | Must be completed by Mar. 31, 2025 |
| Application opens | Sept. 9, 2024 | Aug. 26, 2024 |
| Focus areas | Youth-led community projects. |
• Families; • Mental Health and Addictions; • Seniors and Elders. |
| Key objectives |
• Empower youth leadership; • Address community issues from youth perspective. |
• Enhance organizational effectiveness; • Build capacity in charities. |
UWSVI encourages potential applicants to visit their website for more information. Details about the Youth in Action Grant can be found at uwsvi.ca/youthinaction, while information on the Future Empowerment Grant is available at uwsvi.ca/futureempowermentgrant.
Those interested in discussing potential grant ideas can email ci.fund@uwsvi.ca. As these programs roll out, Southern Vancouver Island anticipates a new wave of community-driven solutions to its most pressing social challenges.
