SANDRA RICHARDSON
VICTORIA – $550,000 in grant funding is now available through the Victoria Foundation to support local organizations and local Nations addressing climate change through nature-based solutions. These include initiatives that protect, restore, and manage terrestrial, freshwater and/or marine ecosystems in the capital region.
“The impacts of climate change affect us all, and it is more critical than ever to ensure our community has the resources it needs to sustain a thriving planet now and for our future generations,” said Victoria Foundation CEO Sandra Richardson. “This funding will help strengthen organizations already doing vital work to address climate change and to protect the natural areas in our community.”
Grant applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis from August 16 to September 22, for organizations working on nature-based solutions to climate change, which draw on the power of nature to capture carbon dioxide and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Foundation aims to disburse the grants by the end of the year.
While Southern Vancouver Island’s wildlife, breathtaking coastlines, and rugged old-growth forests draw many people to our region each year, it is not immune to climate change impacts such as droughts, wildfires, and floods.
Climate change is a global crisis identified as a priority within the UN Sustainable Development Goals (Goal 13) and is also interlinked with the Victoria Foundation’s Vital Signs issues areas, including environment, health and wellness, economy, standard of living, and more.
This new nature-based climate action funding will create a low-barrier opportunity following a trust-based philanthropy approach for environmental organizations and local Nations to receive support.
Organizations can request a maximum of $50,000 in funding, with priority given to Indigenous-led, equity-deserving, community-led, or grassroots nature-based activities.
These grants will support many projects, including to protect, restore, and manage terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems, and to build capacity for land trusts and other organizations to protect, restore, or steward natural areas.
Recognizing the power of natural areas to heal, connect, and empower, the Foundation encourages applications to support nature-based community action from Indigenous organizations.
This funding, independent of the Community Grants Program, was made possible by a generous donor who left a legacy gift to the Victoria Foundation to support local environmental causes.
For more information on the application and eligibility requirements, we encourage you to visit the Foundation’s new Nature-based Climate Action Funding webpage.
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