Community Capacity Building Grants

Leading Together – Community Social Planning Council

Leading Together is a multi-year project run by Victoria’s Community Social Planning Council and partially funded by the Columbia Institute. In order to create solutions that prevent and reduce poverty in BC’s Capital Region, Leading Together focuses on strengthening the leadership and participation capacity of marginalized groups. A particular emphasis of this project has been the development of an Inclusion Policy to facilitate input and participation from people who have experienced living on a low or fixed income. This and a number of other pieces of their work could be valuable tools for other organizations. Leading Together is doing important work in their efforts to address poverty, and the Columbia Institute is proud to be able to support them. www.communitycouncil.ca

Leadership Victoria

Leadership Victoria is developing a new generation of community leaders whose community projects have had a big impact in Victoria. Originally housed with Volunteer Victoria, Leadership Victoria is now standing on its own. A community-based and volunteer-led non-profit organization, Leadership Victoria is committed to developing, supporting, recognizing, and honouring outstanding community leaders. The Columbia Institute is proud to be a Community Partner in this important work. www.leadershipvictoria.ca

North Island Family Self-Sufficiency Program (funding completed)

The North Island Family Self-Sufficiency project began as a 3-year pilot program in November 2007 in partnership with Comox Valley Family Services Association and Campbell River Family Services Society. Designed to help low-income families increase their self-reliance, employability, education, and financial stability, the program has had an astonishing success rate. Comox Valley Family Services Association is continuing the program offering help to more people and to be a model for other communities. The Columbia Institute is proud to have been a founding sponsor of the Family Self-Sufficiency Program and wish all participants continued success.