Cortes Island Community Foundation

09/15/2026

The Cortes Island Community Foundation is pleased to announce the 2026 recipients of the Dr. Emily Ellingsen Memorial Bursary and the Cortes Island Academy award ($1500 each):

Olivia McKnight - Early Childhood Education Diploma, Langara College
Minton Doull - General Science, Biology, University of Victoria
Sofia Auger Nybida - Indigenous Visual Culture, Ontario College of Art and Design
Amelia Stordy - Nursing, Baccalaureate of Science, Camosun College

These students embody curiosity, service, and commitment to community.

The Legacy Behind the Fund
The bursary was established in memory of Dr. Emily Ellingsen, whose care for others infused her work, her mentorship, and the way she moved through the world. Each year, a volunteer group of community members and educators, along with Emily's family, helps adjudicate the awards, keeping her spirit alive for students who share a connection to this island she loved.
Like many students, Emily relied on bursaries to ease financial pressure. Today's students, especially those from rural and remote communities like Cortes, face even greater barriers, and these awards help remove those obstacles.

Gratitude for a Community That Lifts Its Youth
Since 2010/2011, Emily's family and friends, donors, and the Cortes School PAC have kept this bursary going, 15 rounds of awards and about 40 bursaries disbursed. Going forward, Emily's family is working with the Cortes Island Community Foundation, which is assuming administration of the fund.

Our heartfelt thanks for the generous contributions that have made these annual awards in Emily’s name possible, and if you feel inspired to contribute, your support is warmly welcomed, and makes a real difference.

We Want to Hear From Past Recipients
Close to 40 students have received this bursary over the years. If you're one of them, send us your story, we'd love to share it. Know a past recipient? Please pass this along.

Thank you for supporting our young people.
Together, we provide care for Cortes and for the next generation.

Congratulations. The Cortes Island Community Foundation is pleased to announce the 2026 recipients of the Dr. Emily Ellingsen Memorial Bursary and the Cortes Island Academy award ($1500 each): Olivia McKnight - Early Childhood Education Diploma, Langara CollegeMinton Doull - General Science, Biology...

09/04/2026

Share an Act of Care or support the organizations and neighbours who make care possible. Together, we can celebrate and strengthen what makes Cortes Island extraordinary.

09/02/2026

Silent Action!!! -

This one-of-a-kind lot brings together a curated mix of Indian vintage home pieces, sacred statues, quality clothing, kayaks, paddle-boards, and more, generously donated by John and Deepa.

09/02/2026

The Cortes Island Community Foundation began with a $10,000 endowment. Today, that seed has grown into millions invested in local people, projects, and organizations.

08/26/2026

What gets noticed grows. By counting Acts of Care, we're shining a light on the generosity and neighbourliness that have always made Cortes Island special.

08/19/2026

Every act of care creates a ripple. Together, those ripples become stronger organizations, healthier families, thriving youth, and a more connected Cortes Island.

08/13/2026

Pop Up Lemonade at the Nook.

08/12/2026

Care is the invisible infrastructure that keeps Cortes thriving. Every volunteer, mentor, neighbour, and helping hand makes our community stronger.

08/11/2026

Another Act of Resilience: Free Community Wi-Fi in Downtown Manson's

Several years ago, members of the Cortes Social Profit Network identified reliable public Wi-Fi as an important community need. As power outages have become more frequent, that need has only grown: for local organizations, small businesses, residents, and visitors alike.

Thanks to a partnership between CIRA (the Canadian Internet Registration Authority), the Cortes Island Fire Fighting Association, Cortes Radio, Raincoast, and the Foundation, free public Wi-Fi is now available throughout downtown Manson's Landing.

The network is designed to remain operational during power outages, helping people stay connected when communication matters most.

08/06/2026

Thank you for caring for Cortes. Every day, neighbours make this island stronger through simple acts of kindness, generosity, and service. Let's celebrate them together.