Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Catholic Foundation of Vancouver Island (CFVI)

The Catholic Foundation of Vancouver Island is a charitable foundation established in 1985 by a Deed of Trust to support the mission and ministries of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Victoria. Its primary role is to build and manage an endowment fund whose investment income is used to provide grants for spiritual, educational, social and charitable projects throughout the Diocese. Only the interest earned on the capital is granted each year, allowing donations to create a lasting legacy of support.

The Foundation funds a wide range of initiatives connected with the Catholic community on Vancouver Island and surrounding areas. Eligible projects include diocesan and parish capital projects, the establishment and maintenance of parishes and ministries, Catholic education and schools, social welfare projects, support for diocesan seminarians, retired clergy and lay workers, missionary work, and other charitable activities consistent with Catholic teaching as applied in the Diocese.

The Foundation offers biannual grant cycles, with applications considered by the trustees at their regularly scheduled meetings. Grants are limited to Canadian registered charities and are generally not available for ongoing operating expenses, deficit reduction, routine repairs and maintenance, grants to individuals or the full capital cost of a project. Instead, funding typically supports time‑bound projects, program development, retreats, facility upgrades, and targeted ministries.

Recent lists of “Grants Awarded” show support for a diverse set of beneficiaries, including Catholic schools, parish youth retreats such as Camp Homewood, social service organizations, hospices, L’Arche communities, counselling centres, and initiatives for spiritual care and outreach to vulnerable populations. Annual disbursements have grown to over $30,000 per year, with cumulative grants exceeding $2.5 million since 1985.

The Foundation is overseen by a board of volunteer trustees, including the Bishop of Victoria and lay and clerical members appointed to multi‑year terms. Trustees meet regularly to review requests in light of the charitable purposes set out in the Trust Deed and the overall stewardship of the endowment fund.

Applicants must submit a grant application form with required documentation by fixed deadlines, typically May 31 and October 31. The trustees reserve the right to request documented proof that funds have been used in accordance with the intent of the grant, reflecting the Foundation’s emphasis on accountability, prudent investment and alignment with diocesan priorities and Catholic values.

The idea for the Foundation emerged from a regional development meeting in 1984 and was advanced under the leadership of Bishop Remi de Roo. The trust fund that became the Catholic Foundation of Vancouver Island was formally announced to all parishes in June 1984 and registered as a charity in 1988. Hosted on the official website of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Victoria, the Foundation operates as a long‑term financial instrument to strengthen parish life, Catholic education, and social outreach across the region.