The Coquitlam Foundation is a community foundation created by a special Act of the British Columbia Legislature in 1992. As a registered charity, it manages a growing portfolio of endowed funds on behalf of individuals, families, businesses and community partners, using the investment earnings to provide ongoing financial support to people and organizations in Coquitlam.
Role of Coquitlam Foundation in the funding ecosystem
The foundation serves as the charitable heart of Coquitlam, channeling local philanthropy into strategic grants and awards. Visionary donors build permanent endowment funds, while the capital is preserved and the annual income is distributed to meet community needs. Since its inception, the Coquitlam Foundation has leveraged these funds to direct more than six million dollars to important community projects and students.
Funding streams and target beneficiaries
- Community grants: Annual grants are awarded to charities and community organizations for projects that enhance quality of life in Coquitlam. Priority areas explicitly include arts and culture, diversity initiatives, education and literacy, environment, health and community wellness, heritage and support for seniors in need.
- Scholarships and bursaries: The foundation administers numerous scholarship and bursary funds that help students pursue post‑secondary education. These awards reduce financial barriers so learners can focus on their studies and contribute back to the community.
- Field-of-interest and memorial funds: Donors can establish named funds dedicated to specific themes such as community diversity, youth leadership, entrepreneurship or health, which then make recurring grants and awards in those fields.
- Partnership regranting: Through collaborations like the Emergency Community Support Fund and the Community Services Recovery Fund, the foundation also helps deliver federal and national funding to local charities.
Application cycles and geographic focus
The foundation focuses on residents and organizations connected to Coquitlam and the surrounding Tri‑Cities area. Each year, an open call invites community groups and students to apply for grants, scholarships and bursaries, typically with an application window running from December 1 to March 31. A grants and bursaries review committee evaluates submissions, and successful applicants are recognized at an annual awards celebration where substantial funding is distributed.
Governance, transparency and partnerships
The Coquitlam Foundation is governed by a volunteer board that includes statutory representatives from the City of Coquitlam, School District 43 and the Tri‑Cities Chamber of Commerce, supported by a professional executive director and staff. The organization publishes audited financial statements and investment and gift-acceptance policies, and follows clear conflict‑of‑interest and confidentiality rules. It works closely with donors, local government, schools, community organizations and national networks such as Community Foundations of Canada to align its grantmaking with evolving local needs.
Through this mix of permanent endowments, open grant calls and collaborative funding initiatives, the Coquitlam Foundation offers a stable, community‑driven source of grants, scholarships and bursaries that strengthen Coquitlam over the long term.