Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Kimberley & District Community Foundation (KDCF)

The Kimberley & District Community Foundation (KDCF) is a local charitable foundation serving Kimberley, British Columbia and surrounding communities within the former School District #3 boundary, including St. Mary’s Lake, Wycliffe, Meadowbrook, Ta Ta Creek, Wasa and Skookumchuk. Established in 2001, the foundation builds permanent endowment funds from donations, bequests and corporate gifts, and uses the investment income to provide ongoing financial support to community initiatives.

The foundation awards grants to registered charities and community organizations working in arts and culture, amateur sport, environmental protection, health, social welfare and education. Since its creation, KDCF has distributed more than $825,000 to over 50 local organizations, supporting projects such as parks and trails, recreation infrastructure, mental health initiatives, community gardens, youth programs and festivals.

KDCF’s primary mechanism for support is its annual Community Grants program. Each year, the foundation issues a public call for applications, with a defined intake period and a maximum grant amount per organization. Application forms and guidelines are published on the foundation’s website, and applicants can seek clarification directly from the board’s grants contact. In addition, KDCF provides one annual direct donation to the City of Kimberley from a designated sports legacy fund.

Several named endowment funds underpin the granting activity, including a BC Games Legacy Fund that supports amateur sporting groups through the City of Kimberley, a broad‑purpose Community Fund, and funds created in memory of community members such as the Bill Motek Memorial Fund, the Theresa Cundiff Memorial Fund and the Jim Monteith Memorial Fund. Additional capital has been contributed by partners like the Kootenay Savings Community Foundation and regional institutions, and many funds are professionally managed through the Vancouver Foundation and Columbia Basin Trust.

The foundation is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors representing a cross‑section of the local community. Its overarching goals are to enhance the social welfare, health and education of residents, preserve and protect the environment, and advance arts, culture and recreation. These priorities are reinforced in a 2025–2028 strategic plan structured around four pillars: governance, growing donors and funds, operations and granting, and community profile and engagement.

KDCF emphasizes fair, transparent and efficient grantmaking, responsible stewardship of donor contributions, and strong communication with grantees and partners. Annual reports outline the list of charities supported and highlight the impact of funded projects, demonstrating how the foundation acts as a long‑term philanthropic resource for the Kimberley area.