Shuswap Community Foundation (SCF) is a public, non-profit community foundation created by and for the people of the Shuswap area of the Columbia Shuswap Regional District in British Columbia. It pools gifts from individuals, families, businesses and municipalities into endowed funds, invests these assets, and uses the investment income to provide grants and scholarships that enhance quality of life across the region.
Role in the local funding ecosystem
Since 1994, SCF has built a growing endowment through more than 200 individual funds. The foundation focuses on supporting registered charities, non-profit groups, organizations and community associations that deliver programs and services within the Shuswap. Its mandate is broad and non-partisan, acting as a neutral broker to back a wide range of charitable causes that benefit local residents.
The foundation’s grants primarily support time-limited projects rather than ongoing core operations. It explicitly avoids funding partisan, religious or political activities, debt retirement, retroactive costs, and other categories listed in its guidelines. Instead, it seeks initiatives that can be completed and evaluated within a reasonable period and that demonstrate clear community benefit and organizational capacity.
Grant programs and funding streams
SCF operates twice-yearly community grant cycles, with fixed application deadlines and decision timelines. Through these cycles it funds projects in ten key categories: animal welfare, arts and culture, community, education, environment, health and wellness, heritage, seniors, social equality and youth. Eligible applicants must be CRA-registered charities or other qualified non-profits; newer organizations are expected to partner with an established charity or non-profit host.
In addition to its own community grants, SCF administers several specific programs on behalf of local partners. It receives and processes applications for the City of Salmon Arm Grants-in-Aid Program and for the District of Sicamous Community Service Grant Program, distributing municipal funds to local non-profit groups. It also participates in the Neighbourhood Small Grants stream, which backs small-scale resident-led projects that build connection, creativity and resilience at the grassroots level.
Support for education: scholarships and bursaries
A significant share of SCF’s endowed funds is dedicated to student awards. The foundation manages numerous scholarships and bursaries for Salmon Arm and Shuswap-area students attending institutions such as Okanagan College (Salmon Arm campus), UBC Okanagan, Thompson Rivers University or graduating from School District 83. These awards span academic, trades and professional studies and typically combine criteria such as financial need, achievement, leadership and community engagement.
Application process and evaluation
Prospective grantees apply through an online grants portal, following detailed Grant Guidelines and a Grant Seeker FAQ. SCF encourages applicants to call staff to discuss project ideas in advance. For larger requests (from $10,000 and up), a Letter of Intent is required to test alignment with community priorities before a full submission. Applications must include financial statements, budgets, board information and, where applicable, partnership agreements with host charities.
SCF looks for proposals that address significant local needs, build skills and competencies, leverage other funding and in-kind support, and demonstrate sound governance and financial management. Successful projects must submit a Project Evaluation Report by set deadlines to remain eligible for future funding, and change, deferral or cancellation of funded projects is governed by a clear policy.
Publics served and overall impact
Through community grants, municipal grant programs, neighbourhood initiatives, emergency and preparedness funds, and a wide portfolio of scholarships and bursaries, Shuswap Community Foundation channels local philanthropy into concrete support for charities and non-profits. Its work spans youth, seniors, health, environment, arts and culture, recreation, social services and more, with a geographic focus that extends from Malakwa and Sicamous to the North and South Shuswap, Ranchero, Salmon River Valley and Falkland.
