Cheque presentation for kiwanis legacy fund endowment on the beach in front of lake okanagan
Kiwanis Legacy Endowment Fund

Providing Support for Children and Youth In Perpetuity

Following the sale of the Kiwanis Tower in November 2017, the Kiwanis Clubs of Kelowna donated $4 million to establish the Kiwanis Legacy Endowment. Annual proceeds from the historic endowment gifted to the KGH Foundation are dedicated to supporting local healthcare programs and projects to benefit children and youth in the Central Okanagan.

Mission:

To help children and youth by targeting funding for health and well-being projects that address a priority need. To focus these efforts on solving health and well-being issues that adversely impact the children and youth in the Central Okanagan.

Providing Support for Children and Youth In Perpetuity

Following the sale of the Kiwanis Tower in November 2017, the Kiwanis Clubs of Kelowna donated $4 million to establish the Kiwanis Legacy Endowment. Annual proceeds from the historic endowment gifted to the KGH Foundation are dedicated to supporting local healthcare programs and projects to benefit children and youth in the Central Okanagan.

Mission:

To help children and youth by targeting funding for health and well-being projects that address a priority need. To focus these efforts on solving health and well-being issues that adversely impact the children and youth in the Central Okanagan.

Since its establishment, the Kiwanis Legacy Fund has provided over $1 million in grant funding to community organizations in the Central Okanagan

Grant Parameters

  • Impact Focus: Children and Youth Health and Well-Being.
  • Geographic Parameters: Central Okanagan as determined by School District #23 region.
  • Structures Supported: Community organization or institution, health organization or institution, umbrella bodies that are registered and adhere to CRA rules, regulations, and guidelines.
  • Age Group Focus: Children (birth to age 12) and youth (12 to age 18).
  • Processes Funded: Advocacy, programming, resource materials, capacity building, pilot projects (additional parameters apply).
  • Favoured project proposals:
    1. Submitted in collaboration with multiple (2 or more) partners; and/or
    2. Have a successful/proven track record that demonstrates a need to scale; and/or
    3. That will build capacity to meet a community need or gap to drive greater impact.
    4. Are innovative, collaborative, and are already proven as a key need.

Grant Requirements

  • Must benefit children and youth health and wellness in the Central Okanagan as defined by the boundaries of School District #23 and approved by the KGH Foundation Board of Directors.
  • Must adhere to all rules and guidelines as approved by the KGH Foundation Board of Directors.
  • Represent that they operate within the parameters of all applicable laws and regulations in countries where their program support is provided.
  • Represent they do not discriminate in employment practices or services on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, marital status, mental or physical ability, sexual orientation or gender identity.
  • Be a qualified donee (registered Canadian charity)
  • In good standing with Canada Revenue Agency (CRA rules and regulations are being adhered to)
  • Have a proven track record demonstrated over a minimum of a 5 year period unless submitting a proposal jointly with another qualified donee that has a proven track record as demonstrated over a minimum of a 5 year period
  • This is a proactive granting program – unsolicited applications are not accepted

If you have questions about the program or have a project that may be eligible, please contact Melina Moran.

Grant Recipients

Over $1 million has been granted to community organizations

2019:

  • $20,000: BrainTrust – Youth Concussion Clinic

2020:

  • $50,000: BrainTrust – Youth Concussion Clinic
  • $20,000: KGH  Pediatric Dept. – Clinical Grade Furnishing for Common Space
  • $10,000: KGH Adolescent Psych Unit – Sensory Space Equipment
  • $16,000: The Bridge Child & Youth Society – Beyond The Blues Program
  • $100,000: CMHA – The Foundry Mobile Unit (Kelowna & area)
  • $100,000: Child Advocacy Centre (Kelowna) – Trauma Coordination

2021:

  • $10,800: KGH Adolescent Psychiatry Unit: Wellness Backpack Project
  • $4,800: KGH Pediatric Dept: Wellness Support Project
  • $46,600: KCR Crisis Line – Text Lifeline for Youth
  • $48,000: Child Advocacy Centre (Kelowna) – Resilient Families Program
  • $75,000: CMHA – Benvoulin Youth Housing Initiative

2022:

  • $16,000: Interior Health: Adolescent Psychiatry Unit – DBT Training and Community Meal Program
  • $9,000: Interior Health: Pediatrics Department – Pediatric Psychiatry Training & Distraction/Comfort Resources
  • $5,500: Interior Health: McNair Department – Specialized Pediatric Psychiatry Training
  • $75,000: BGC Okanagan: Upstream Kelowna
  • $75,000: CMHA Kelowna: Bright Mindz
  • $80,000:– Child Advocacy Centre: Resilient Families Program
  • $150,000:  City of Kelowna: Strathcona Beach Park Structural Play Enhancements
  • $17,000: Elizabeth Fry Society: United Program
  • $64,000: KCR Community Resources: Crisis Line Texting Service
  • $55,000:  UBC Okanagan: PICNIC Community Food Hub

KGH Foundation Kiwanis Legacy Fund logo
An advisory committee was formed in order to provide guidance on the disbursement of annual allocation from the endowment fund. The Kiwanis Legacy Endowment Fund Committee is responsible for establishing the theme for granting cycles and participates in the review and scoring of all grant submissions. The committee includes members of the Kiwanis Club of Kelowna, the CEO of the KGH Foundation, and Manager of Grants of the KGH Foundation. Oversight of the granting process is managed by the KGH Foundation.

Founding Members:

  • Bob Bissell
  • Wendy Falkowski
  • Marion MacNeil
  • Eric Reitsma
  • Jane Stockell
  • Doug Rankmore, CEO, KGH Foundation

Current Members:

  • Tom Cockrell
  • Wendy Falkowski
  • Marion MacNeil
  • Allison Ramchuk, CEO, KGH Foundation

Press Coverage

Press Coverage

Kiwanis Grants $185,000 to Support Vulnerable Local Youth

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The Kiwanis legacy of supporting the health and well-being of local youth continues...
Read more

Kiwanis Endowment Fund 2020

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From upgrades to the pediatric department at Kelowna General Hospital to a mobile solution to better serve youth struggling with their mental health...
Read more

About the Kiwanis Club of Kelowna

Kiwanis International is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time. The club supports community projects that focus on children’s health and well-being. For more information on the club, please visit their website.

“People always ask why, but maybe they should ask why not! You get to work with the nicest people, for the nicest people. It’s the best kind of job satisfaction you’ll ever find.”

“Linking the passion and desires of donors to the needs/opportunities of the health system and KGH is such a privilege. I am inspired most by the people; our team, donors, clinicians & caregivers, and administrators and ultimately, the transformative changes to our system of care that become possible when we work together. I am grateful to be able to feel such purpose in my work.”

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