Nanaimo Foundation

Nanaimo Foundation Your fund. Your cause. Your legacy. The Nanaimo Foundation is a community foundation and a registered Canadian charity operating in Nanaimo, B.C.

on Vancouver Island. By connecting visionary donors with causes that truly matter, we’re able to invest in people, projects by assisting local charitable organizations to make our communities stronger—now and for the long-term. As a registered Canadian charity, we manage charitable gifts from donors whose
generosity allows us to create permanent, income-earning funds, which are distributed in the

areas the donors wish to support. A gift to the Nanaimo Foundation makes a difference to the communities we serve now and in perpetuity. The geographic area served by the Nanaimo Foundation is defined by the boundaries of School District 68 which includes the communities of Nanaimo, Lantzville, Gabriola Island, Cedar and Ladysmith. At the Nanaimo Foundation, we are passionate about community. Everything we do is intended to help build vibrancy, health, and resiliency in our community. We accomplish our work by stewarding the gifts of energy, ideas, time, and money of caring community members to make meaningful and lasting impacts. We are Nanaimo’s community foundation and we’ve been investing in our community since 1982. We take a broad approach to our work, recognizing that communities are complex and that many things are needed to make them the best they can be. That’s why every year, with our donors, we help fund capital and pilot projects – large and small – in support of areas such as arts and culture, education, children and youth, environment, animal welfare, community health, and social development. We work with community partners to accomplish our goals. We collaborate with other charities and non-profits to provide funding for innovative projects to solve larger community issues. Our donors come from all walks of life. They have many interests, and share a love for their community. Our donors are the optimists in our midst—the people who believe things can get better, and who demonstrate that belief by helping us invest in great ideas.

We're proud to be partnering with Scale Collaborative on the 6th annual Connect Money Impact in Nanaimo on June 23!This ...
06/05/2026

We're proud to be partnering with Scale Collaborative on the 6th annual Connect Money Impact in Nanaimo on June 23!

This one-day gathering brings together social entrepreneurs, impact investors, community leaders, and ecosystem builders who are working to create stronger, more resilient communities.

Together, we'll explore how capital, community, and enterprise can work hand in hand to advance community wealth, sustainable food systems, climate solutions, and other initiatives that create meaningful local impact.

Whether you're an investor, entrepreneur, nonprofit leader, or community changemaker, Connect Money Impact is an opportunity to build connections, share ideas, and support projects making a difference across Vancouver Island, the Lower Mainland, and the Coast.

Learn more and register at www.connectmoneyimpact.ca. We hope to see you there!

While many grants fund programs and services, capacity building grants invest in the organizational foundations making t...
06/01/2026

While many grants fund programs and services, capacity building grants invest in the organizational foundations making that work possible.

That could include:
✔ Governance and leadership development
✔ Technology and communications
✔ Fundraising and financial sustainability
✔ Staff and volunteer training
✔ Evaluation and impact measurement
✔ Operational systems and infrastructure

At Nanaimo Foundation, we know that strong organizations are essential to strong communities. That's why our Capacity Building Grants support local charities and non-profits in building long-term resilience and sustainability.

Expressions of Interest are open for registered charities in Nanaimo, Gabriola Island, Cedar, Ladysmith, and Lantzville until June 15, 2026. Learn more and apply: https://nanaimofoundation.com/grants_post/capacity-building-grants-open/

Legacy Month has been the perfect time to reflect on the lasting impact we can have in our community, today and for gene...
05/25/2026

Legacy Month has been the perfect time to reflect on the lasting impact we can have in our community, today and for generations to come. 💙

With Nanaimo Foundation, you can create a legacy in a way that works for you, whether that’s through giving during your lifetime or planning a gift in your will. Both options help support the causes and organizations that make our community stronger.

Legacy giving is about aligning your values with long-term impact. Every gift, no matter the size, helps build a more resilient future for our community.

Contact us to learn more about how you can leave a lasting impact through legacy giving.

Looking forward to tonight’s 10th Anniversary giving meeting!
05/20/2026

Looking forward to tonight’s 10th Anniversary giving meeting!

Tonight is our 10th Anniversary Giving Meeting !

Wednesday, May 20th
Doors and Nibblies and Mingling Open at 7:00 PM
New Members at 7:10PM
Meeting Begins at 7:30 PM

Beban Park Social Centre - Lounge C

Let's continue the momentum towards our 10th Anniversary Giving Goal: $500,000 impact in our communities!

Presented by the Nanaimo Foundation

We’re proud to be a Momentum Partner of Connect Money Impact 2026, a one-day gathering hosted by Scale Collaborative. Th...
05/20/2026

We’re proud to be a Momentum Partner of Connect Money Impact 2026, a one-day gathering hosted by Scale Collaborative. This event will bring together social entrepreneurs, impact investors, and community leaders working to build stronger, more resilient communities.

Hosted at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre on June 23, this event will explore how capital, business, and community can work together to create positive impact in areas like community wealth, food systems, climate, and more.

At Nanaimo Foundation, we believe in investing in ideas, partnerships, and people that strengthen our communities. We’re excited to support conversations that help mobilize capital for good.

Early bird tickets are available now until June 1: https://connectmoneyimpact.ca/?utm_source=Scale%20Collaborative&utm_campaign=2999664ab7-CMI_2026_EARLY_BIRD&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6525a2ed61-2999664ab7-578772663

📣 Our Capacity Building Grant Stream opens May 12th and expressions of interest will be accepted until June 16!Strong or...
05/07/2026

📣 Our Capacity Building Grant Stream opens May 12th and expressions of interest will be accepted until June 16!

Strong organizations build strong communities, and this grant stream is designed to help nonprofits strengthen the foundation of their work.

So, what is “capacity building”?
Capacity building supports the behind-the-scenes work that helps organizations grow, adapt, and become more sustainable and effective over the long term. Rather than funding direct program delivery, these grants invest in the systems, skills, tools, and planning that help organizations thrive.

Examples of eligible projects may include:
✔ Strategic planning
✔ Board development and governance training
✔ Technology upgrades or database improvements
✔ Staff or volunteer training
✔ Communications and marketing planning
✔ Equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives
✔ Financial systems or policy development
✔ Succession planning
✔ Evaluation and impact measurement work

If your organization has been thinking about ways to strengthen your operations, leadership, or long-term sustainability, we encourage you to apply.

More details, eligibility information, and application instructions will be shared on May 12th. Stay tuned!

We have a couple spots left for this upcoming workshop!Join us on April 30th for Employment Risk Management for Non-Prof...
04/27/2026

We have a couple spots left for this upcoming workshop!

Join us on April 30th for Employment Risk Management for Non-Profits, a free half-day session designed for nonprofit managers and HR professionals in the Nanaimo region.

Hear from experts in insurance, HR, and employment law as they share practical insights on managing people-related risks, recent legal updates, and strategies to strengthen your organization.

🗓 Thursday, April 30, 2026
📍 Coast Bastion Hotel
⏰ Two identical sessions available:
• 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Spots are limited. Register now to secure your place: https://nanaimofdn.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/list/event?event_date_id=1569

We’re hiring! 🎉Nanaimo Foundation is excited to offer three summer positions through the Canada Summer Jobs program.If y...
04/23/2026

We’re hiring! 🎉

Nanaimo Foundation is excited to offer three summer positions through the Canada Summer Jobs program.

If you’re a student or young person looking to gain hands-on experience in event coordination, communications, and nonprofit work, this is a great opportunity to build your skills while making a meaningful impact in our community.

📍 Nanaimo, BC (hybrid)
📅 June 1 – July 26
⏰ 35 hours/week

Apply by May 6, 2026 (please note we’re reviewing applications as they come in!).

Learn more and apply: https://nanaimofoundation.com/donor-story/we-are-hiring/

This Earth Day, we’re reflecting on what we’re grateful for, right here at home.From coastal waters and forested trails ...
04/22/2026

This Earth Day, we’re reflecting on what we’re grateful for, right here at home.

From coastal waters and forested trails to local food systems and shared community spaces, these places shape how we live, connect, and care for one another.

At Nanaimo Foundation, we’re proud to be shaped by this place. 🌿As part of the Community Foundations of Canada Communities for Climate Resilience cohort, integrating climate considerations into our granting, investments, and convening is a key priority for 2026 and 2027.

What are you grateful for this Earth Day?

This National Volunteer Week, we’re celebrating the people who make community possible.At Nanaimo Foundation, our work i...
04/21/2026

This National Volunteer Week, we’re celebrating the people who make community possible.

At Nanaimo Foundation, our work is guided by a dedicated group of volunteers, our Board of Directors, who generously share their time, insight, and leadership to help us grow our impact.

We’re also continually inspired by the many local charities and non-profits we work alongside, where volunteers are at the heart of it all. From supporting youth and protecting the environment to championing arts and culture, their contributions shape a stronger Nanaimo.

Volunteering shows up in big and small ways, but all of it matters.

To everyone who gives their time and care to this community: thank you. 💛

Address

60 Wharf Street
Nanaimo, BC

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