Bowen Island Community Foundation

06/15/2026

It is Scholarship Season on Bowen with Scholarships, Bursaries and Awards available for post-secondary education, trades training and professional development.

New this year are 5 x $1,000 Scholarships from the Bowen Island Legion.

Learn more: https://bowenfoundation.com/grants/scholarships-2026/

05/25/2026

On Friday, May 22, the Bowen Island Community Foundation hosted its annual meeting and Community Impact Grants celebration at Cates Hill Chapel. Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate the strength, creativity, and care that continue to shape community life on Bowen Island.

We are pleased to announce the 2026 Community Impact Grants, totalling more than $100,000—the largest granting round in the Foundation’s history!
https://bowenfoundation.com/community-impact-grants/

2026 Community Impact Grants Recipients:

• Knick Knack Nook — New Storage Shed ($20,000)
• Bowen All Wheels Society — Phase 1 of Bowen All Wheels Trail Park ($15,000)
• Tir-na-nog Theatre School Society — Stage Lighting Equipment
• Bowen Island Pickleball Society — Resurfacing BICS Public Courts and adding pickleball lines ($10,000)
• Bowen Island Men's Shed — Paving for safety and access ($10,000)
• Bowen Island Conservancy — Bowen Backyard Biodiversity Handbook ($7,500)
• Bowfest — 50th Anniversary Mainstage ($5,000)
• Bowen Island Children’s Centre — NERPies Trauma Training ($4,000)
• Bowen Island Gymnastics Club — 2026 National Gymnaestrada participation ($4,000)
• Come Dance with Me — Community dance project for Community Centre 1-year celebration ($3,700)
• Bowen Island Museum & Archives — Japanese Canadian Legacy Project ($3,000)
• Lux Shadow Tales — Puppet show development and performance ($3,000)
• Bowen Island Public Library — Sḵwx̱wú7mesh history book club presentations ($2,700)
• Bowen Island Community Health Centre — CPR & AED for Everyone ($2,600)
• Bowen Island Pride Society — Annual parade and festival ($1,500)

These projects reflect the depth of community engagement across Bowen Island—from arts and culture to health, heritage, recreation, environmental stewardship, and community spaces.

photos:
BICF board chair, Kate Thomas-Peter, reflects on an inspiring year of generosity at the Foundation during the Annual Meeting.

Community Impact Grant recipients at the 2026 Annual Meeting, holding cheques that will help launch 15 new community projects.

05/21/2026

Join us at our 2026 Annual Meeting on Friday to celebrate the impact of community giving on Bowen Island.

Together, our community has made it possible to award $100,000 in Community Impact Grants this year—our largest granting total to date. We’ll also share highlights from the Bowen Island Community Foundation 2025 Giving Season, where the goal of $30,000 for the Community Impact Fund was not only met, but exceeded, thanks to the generosity of donors across Bowen.

This is a chance to come together, hear the stories behind the projects, meet Community Impact Grant recipients and see how community support is making a difference across the island.

We hope you’ll join us in celebrating what we’ve accomplished—together.

Light snacks and refreshments will be served.
Friday, May 22, 2026
6:30 pm
Cates Hill Chapel
661 Carter Road
RSVP at the link below:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdHaGsNhn3MZ45nM_WCNC514v5m_SdmvSMSdD3vl7-Sb7qSEQ/viewform

05/16/2026

Join us at our 2026 Annual Meeting to celebrate the impact of community giving on Bowen Island.
Together, our community has made it possible to award $100,000 in Community Impact Grants this year—our largest granting total to date. We’ll also share highlights from the Bowen Island Community Foundation 2025 Giving Season, where the goal of $30,000 for the Community Impact Fund was not only met, but exceeded, thanks to the generosity of donors across Bowen.
This is a chance to come together, hear the stories behind the projects, meet Community Impact Grant recipients and see how community support is making a difference across the island.
We hope you’ll join us in celebrating what we’ve accomplished—together.
Light snacks and refreshments will be served.
Friday, May 22, 2026
6:30 pm
Cates Hill Chapel
661 Carter Road
RSVP at the link below:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdHaGsNhn3MZ45nM_WCNC514v5m_SdmvSMSdD3vl7-Sb7qSEQ/viewform

04/30/2026

Delighted to see so many wonderful events on Bowen supported by Neighbourhood Small Grants. Bowen Island Contra Dance started up last year on Bowen and has been hosting a series of events.

Last contra dance of the session this Thursday April 30th, 7:30-9:30 pm at Cates Hill Chapel! Bring your friends!

04/29/2026

Join us at our 2026 Annual Meeting to celebrate the impact of community giving on Bowen Island.

Together, our community has made it possible to award $100,000 in Community Impact Grants this year—our largest granting total to date. We’ll also share highlights from the Bowen Island Community Foundation 2025 Giving Season, where the goal of $30,000 for the Community Impact Fund was not only met, but exceeded, thanks to the generosity of donors across Bowen.

This is a chance to come together, hear the stories behind the projects, meet Community Impact Grant recipients and see how community support is making a difference across the island.

We hope you’ll join us in celebrating what we’ve accomplished—together.

Light snacks and refreshments will be served.

Friday, May 22, 2026
6:30 pm
Cates Hill Chapel
661 Carter Road

RSVP at the link below:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdHaGsNhn3MZ45nM_WCNC514v5m_SdmvSMSdD3vl7-Sb7qSEQ/viewform

04/24/2026

This National Volunteer Week (April 19–25), we’re celebrating the people who sustain the heart of Bowen Island.

Many of the organizations we support through our grants are run almost entirely by volunteers, who give generously of their time, energy, and expertise.

In our most recent Vital Conversations community engagement, one theme came through clearly: “Raise your hand.” As the report notes, “Volunteers are the backbone of our community. Much of what makes living on Bowen special, exciting, and safe depends almost solely on our willingness to step up and do the work.”

The work of volunteers is often unseen, but its impact is everywhere on Bowen Island: we are a more connected, resilient, and vibrant community that thrives because people choose to give.

To all the volunteers behind these organizations: THANK YOU!

01/28/2026

Many other organizations are doing great things on our island. For example: The First Credit Union has a program for donations and grants. More information here:

Building financially healthy communities and empowering our members through knowledge. Learn more about our community impact.

01/27/2026

Good idea? That’s granted.
Community Impact Grants from $2,500–$25,000 are now open—and they’re here to support projects that make life better on Bowen.

All we need (besides your great idea):
✔️ a 500-word proposal
✔️ a charitable organization partner (or be one)

📅 Applications due February 15 at 5 PM
👉 Apply here:
https://bowenfoundation.com/grants/grant-application
Looking for inspiration?
🔹 See what Bowen Islanders said matters most in the 2023 Vital Conversations report:
https://bowenfoundation.com/vital-conversations/
🔹 Explore past grantee highlights:
https://bowenfoundation.com/category/grantee-highlights/
🔹 View a full list of past grant recipients:
https://bowenfoundation.com/grants/grant-recipients/

📧 Email your proposal to [email protected]

12/24/2025

As the year comes to a close, we extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported the Bowen Island Community Foundation in 2025.

Your generosity—of time, creativity, and donations—helps strengthen our island and makes meaningful community projects possible.

We wish you and your loved ones a happy, healthy holiday season and a bright year ahead.