Role of Revelstoke Community Foundation in the funding ecosystem
The Revelstoke Community Foundation is a local charitable foundation serving the residents of Revelstoke, British Columbia and Electoral Area B of the Columbia Shuswap Regional District. Created at the time of the city’s centennial and incorporated in November 1998, it builds and manages a permanent, ever‑growing pool of endowment funds. Investment earnings are distributed annually as grants to charitable organizations and as scholarships and bursaries to students, with more than $1 million granted since inception and over $141,000 in grants and scholarships distributed in 2025 alone.
The Foundation offers a community grants program that supports a wide variety of initiatives improving quality of life. Eligible projects typically address needs in areas such as arts and culture, environment, health and welfare, children and families, sports and recreation, youth, seniors, education, community development and heritage conservation. Grants are available to qualified donees under Canada Revenue Agency rules, and the Foundation provides mechanisms for unregistered groups to apply through sponsored arrangements.
Funding programs, scholarships and special initiatives
Through its Community Fund and a portfolio of community, designated, donor‑advised, field‑of‑interest and flow‑through funds, the Foundation runs recurring calls for applications, such as the Spring Grants cycle with a detailed Grant Applicant Guide and online application form. It also administers donor‑advised funds and special programs like the Environmental Fund, Family Legacy Program and Response & Recovery Fund for emergencies such as COVID‑19.
The Foundation manages a comprehensive scholarship and bursary program for graduating students of Revelstoke Secondary School and for post‑secondary students in subsequent years. Dozens of named scholarship funds support studies in diverse fields, and in 2025 students received $48,300 in awards from funds managed by the Foundation.
General evaluation criteria and priorities
Funding guidelines indicate that the Foundation favours applications which address emerging needs, help essential organizations reduce costs or increase efficiency, test new and more effective ways of solving problems, or respond to unusual opportunities and urgent issues. Assessment may consider community benefit, volunteer and citizen involvement, coordination with other programs, the seriousness of need, prospects for self‑sustainability, use of local resources, and the potential to leverage matching or supplementary funding. Certain activities such as deficit reduction, partisan political or religious work, retroactive funding, travel and fundraising campaigns are normally not supported.
Publics served and impact
The Foundation’s grants and scholarships are targeted to organizations and individuals whose work directly benefits the citizens of Revelstoke and surrounding area. Beneficiaries include local charities, schools, cultural groups, environmental and heritage organizations, health and social service agencies, sports and recreational programs, and youth‑led initiatives. Stories highlighted on the “Projects & News” page showcase funded efforts such as COVID‑19 community response, Hospice on Wheels, youth “Vital Conversations”, arts programming, science outreach in schools, and museum development.
Partnerships and governance
From its origins, the Foundation has worked in partnership with the City of Revelstoke, Revelstoke Credit Union, the Chamber of Commerce, Community Futures Development Corporation and larger funders such as Vancouver Foundation, Columbia Basin Trust, Community Foundations of Canada and the Government of British Columbia. It is governed by a volunteer board of directors and supported by standing committees covering grants, investments, fund development, scholarships, donor services and succession. Annual reports and audited figures on endowment size and grant disbursements are published to ensure transparency and accountability.