February 16, 2024: Thirty-two joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome Nora Layard, Chair of Transition Salt Spring Enterprise Coop – TSSEC (tssenterprisecoop@gmail.com); Shannon Cowan, Executive Director of the Salt Spring Island Foundation (shannon@ssifoundation,ca); Robert Steinbach, Country Grocer’s Community Relations and Business Development (robert@saltspringcountrygrocer.com); and Julie Kemble, Chair of the Arts Council (chair@ssartscouncil.com). They joined us to discuss their role funding local initiatives as well as partnering in multi-organisation collaborations to support more complex local initiatives.

After our Territorial Acknowledgement, each of our guests were asked what excited and delighted them. Julie began, sharing her enthusiasm for our topic of funding local projects, especially support for our arts. She also shared that she is thoroughly enjoying her work with the highly-skilled Arts Council Board which has recently unveiled its five year strategic plan: https://saltspringarts.com/about/2023-2027-strategic-plan/.

Speaking of the Arts Council’s ability to fund arts projects, Julie typified them as little grants, but went on to tell us about an impressive variety of grants for all disciplines within the arts. These include direct grants to artists totaling $3,500 each year. Funding this year included support for an entertainment group visiting seniors and shut-ins, a student photography project, and Christmas with Scrooge. With a fast-approaching deadline of March 31, Julie suggested that all who are interested in applying for one of these grants visit their website (https://saltspringarts.com/) for details, also warning us that more applications are generally submitted than can be funded.

Julie also told us about another grant, the Susan Benson Fund for Visual Artists, offering up to $1,000 to painters with an emphasis on supporting women. Additionally, the Arts Council funds student projects up to $1,250, selected by local teachers, for students going to a Canadian college.

The Arts Council considers in kind contributions to local artists, such as the possibility of offering free use of Mahon Hall for qualifying events. Additionally, as a registered charity, it can support arts projects from societies that are not registered charities, serving as their intermediary.

Robert shared his lifelong commitment to recycling, particularly excited by the recent initiative of our Repair Cafe (https://transitionsaltspring.com/new-tss-repair-cafe-group/) another of Transition Salt Spring’s many innovative programs. He was particularly-pleased by the opportunity Country Grocer had to make a significant contribution to this exciting new program. We learned that it is independently owned and operated, only sharing a warehouse with other Vancouver Island Country Grocers to enhance buying power. While others offer community support, our Salt Spring store is the only one with a funded community relations function, a direct reflection of the commitment of our Salt Spring owner.

While Country Grocer is known for its generosity offering donuts and cookies to so many local events and its well-used Save-a-Tape Program (https://www.countrygrocer.com/community/saveatape/) supporting over 140 local organizations, few know the extent of Country Grocer’s contributions to as many as 300 local groups each year. With the philosophy of saying Yes and then figuring out how to do it, Robert is particularly-pleased with their participation in the recent growth of the Arts Council’s outdoor summer concert series (supported in partnership with Island Savings) , attracting between 400-500 to each concert (https://saltspringarts.com/socs/). And, yes, providing a printing press for the Printmakers, another hat worn by our guest, Nora!

Seeing Country Grocer as a partner in thinking, Robert spoke of the recent collaboration with the Repair Cafe. Initially asked to provide snacks, Country Grocer’s contribution soon expanded to the far more complicated task of providing toolboxes and needed tools/supplies for all 16 Repair Cafe modules. This support was also extended to include Windsor Plywood by providing an account so that repairers could get what they needed if they ran out of something during a repair. Markedly-different from the organisations of our other guests, Country Grocer, not a registered charity, has no intake deadlines nor preconceived ideas of funding goals; instead, Robert welcomed us all to bring him our creative ideas, welcoming Country Grocer to partner in making good things happen on Salt Spring.

Nora shared her excitement to be a part of this ASK Salt Spring gathering in SIMS, reminding us what an amazing facility this former Middle School offers to community organisations. We then learned a lot about TSSEC (https://transitionsaltspring.com/solutions/enterprise-co-op/). Unlike the organisations represented by our other guests, TSSEC does not give money, instead lending to individuals, community groups, and businesses at significantly below market rates for projects designed to reduce our carbon footprint and make us more resilient to climate change.

Funded by locals willing to offer their money at a small return, since its establishment in 2011, TSSEC has loaned over 1/4 million dollars to 37 projects. After the volunteer board determines the eligibility of a proposed project, members, currently over 100, are asked if they would like to invest. An amazing local initiative, borrowing is made simple, with money transferred to the borrower immediately after papers have been signed. A clear indication of its success: there have been no defaults.

Loans to individuals through the Climate Action Loan pool can be used for heat pumps, water catchment, solar systems, electric vehicles and bikes, and home charging stations, the latter with support from the hard working Salt Spring EV Owners group, (https://www.ssiev.ca/). TSSEC can also offer bridge loans to individuals and organisations to pay for work while awaiting confirmed grants and/or rebates.

TSSEC volunteers (including its two accountants on the TSSEC Board) also occasionally offer consultation to green projects needing guidance before proceeding. Unlike other lending institutions, TSSEC volunteers check in routinely with borrowers, offering support and even cheerleading if things get tough.

With more investors than projects to support, TSSEC volunteers are pondering expanding their scope. What if, they wonder, an enticing green affordable housing project were brought to them requesting millions of dollars?

Shannon is also excited about our new Repair Cafe, having come to Salt Spring 16 years ago as, in her words, a bit of a recycling and composting guru. She remains excited about Salt Spring’s green side – as well as a variety of other passions, including her membership in a local marimba band.

Getting ready to celebrate its 40 birthday –  and with one of its original donors and longtime chairpersons, Bob Rush, with us at this ASK Salt Spring gathering – our community Foundation is a local registered charity, a vital source of funding for Salt Spring charitable activities.

To receive funds, nonprofits must be registered charities, but the Foundation does regularly assist community groups that are not registered to partner with qualified charitable organizations whose mission/letters patent align. In this example, the registered charity is the grant applicant that reports to the Canadian Revenue Agency, while the nonprofit organisation, working under a legal agreement with this charity, uses Foundation funds to carry out its charitable activities.

The six Foundation granting opportunities, fully-described at https://ssifoundation.ca/our-grants/)are:

1. Community Grants,
2. Foundation of Youth Grants,
3. Neighborhood Small Grants,
4. Indigenous Priority Funds,
5. Land Protection Fund, and
6. The Community Prosperity Fund, the newest, with more details coming in March.

1) The Foundation’s Community Grants program has grown over time and currently ranges from approximately $120,000-$200,000 in grants per year (https://ssifoundation.ca/community-grants/). The spring intake closing date is March 31. A possible fall intake, ending September 30, may occur if funding is available. (As requests far outnumber the annual budget for Community Grants, it is possible that the only 2024 grant cycle will be this spring.) Awards for these grants can be up to $10,000 for program or capacity-building and up to $15,000 for infrastructure projects.

2) The Foundation of Youth Grants (https://ssifoundation.ca/foundation-of-youth-grants-2/) provide approximately $7,000 per cycle for charitable projects which often empower youth to take action by participating in our community giving them a voice; and encouraging their dignity, inclusiveness, and equality.

3) Neighbourhood Small Grants (https://ssifoundation.ca/foundation-initiatives/neighbourhood-small-grants/), in partnership with Community Services, offers up to $500 to individuals to undertake eligible projects that enhance our community. Last year, 40 grants were awarded.

4) The Indigenous Priority Fund, a collaboration of the Salt Spring Island Foundation and the Philip and Muriel Berman Foundation, (https://ssifoundation.ca/indigenous-priorities-fund/)has just closed and offers eligible projects of up to $50,000 for each funding cycle. This fund aims to support local Indigenous cultural sustainability, reconciliation, and equity. Since its inception in 2022, $194,928 has been distributed in support of 15 projects, many of which are Indigenous-led or co-led.

5) The Land Protection Fund (https://ssifoundation.ca/land-protection-fund-grants/) was established 2022 as the result of $100,000 donated by the estate of the late Susan Bloom. In 2023 a further $100,000 was donated by this estate. (This fund is also open to public contributions.) Designed to support projects which preserve the ecological integrity and natural beauty of Salt Spring for future generations, this fund focuses on land acquisition, preservation, and/or improvement.

6) There its also a one-time opportunity for funding coming to Salt Spring April 2024, the Community Prosperity Fund. This is a BC-wide $25 million fund for projects that address poverty reduction and social inclusion made possible through the BC Stronger Community Services Fund (https://archive.news.gov.bc.ca/releases/news_releases_2020-2024/2023SDPR0061-001680.htm). The Foundation will publish exact details of this funding opportunity in March with an application deadline at the end of April. Local organisations were encouraged to contact the Foundation in March and to partner with other local groups to begin multi-year planning as soon as possible.

Whew. . .lots of information from our generous local funders!

The first participant asked a question that has been raised multiple times in previous ASK Salt Spring gatherings: On the assumption that there is quite a bit of money on Salt Spring, can donors/investors create a central fund for affordable/worker housing?

Shannon responded that the Salt Spring Island Foundation can work with an organisation or a donor to establish a fund dedicated to support housing with an initial donation of $25,000. The exact nature of grants from this fund would be subject to Foundation policies and defined by the agreements of the Foundation and the donor. Once such a fund was established, it could be opened to public contributions.

An important issue for the Foundation, support for local affordable housing is an identified need in the Foundation’s Vital Signs 2022 Report (https://ssifoundation.ca/vital-signs/) Several participants of this ASK Salt Spring gathering who represent groups concerned with our housing crisis expressed interest in following-up with the Foundation to get more details.

While this ASK Salt Spring gathering was acknowledged as a good beginning, a participant asked Shannon whether the Foundation would again convene a group of lenders to identify funding gaps and partnering opportunities. Shannon agreed that a Funders’ Table could be a very productive and agreed to bring the idea back to the Foundation decision-makers.

The President of our soon-to-be-live radio station thanked Robert for Country Grocer’s generosity – as well as that of Windsor plywood. Fueled largely by community donations, he noted that community radio stations are not allowed to become registered charities. He wondered how our local station could get access to Foundation funds. Shannon replied that he might be successful identifying a registered charity, not necessarily local, with goals that align. This charity may be able to serve as an intermediary supporting their application.

A participant wondered how her project, addressing our polarization on topics such as affordable housing, bylaw enforcement, and tourism could be funded. It was suggested she find a charity that shared similar goals, with the suggestion of beginning a conversation with Transition Salt Spring (https://transitionsaltspring.com/).

Nora asked our other guests, if a charitable organization offers to be the intermediary for a nonprofit society, would that make the charity ineligible for funding from the same grant stream? While the answer was a definite No, it was also noted that these two applications would be competing for the same money.

A participant asked if SSNAP, Salt Spring National Art Prize, (https://saltspringartprize.ca/) representatives had been invited to this ASK Salt Spring gathering. While the answer was No, it was also noted that bringing funders together at ASK Salt Spring will be repeated with the possibility of expanding the list of special guests.    

The conversation shifted to the deep interrelationships between art, housing, and mental health. It was stated that those in need of housing also have many skills, even those needed to create their own housing. Art Jam (https://saltspringarts.com/category/community-initiatives/stories/), supported by the Arts Council, was cited as the perfect example of the nexus between creativity and mental health, especially for those who are not securely-housed. Gabriel’s Kitchen (https://www.facebook.com/groups/gabrielskitchen/), offered by the Chu An Society, was also acknowledged as that perfect blending of a volunteer-driven celebration of the art, joy, and sustenance of preparing and sharing meals together.

We were asked, How can we as a community blend housing, arts, mental wellness, and local justice into a cohesive whole addressing the needs of our most marginalized?

It was then asked. . . What is the correct term for those in our community who may be struggling to sustain themselves? While marginalized groups has been commonly-used, replacing homeless, it was proposed that equity-seeking may be more appropriate. But, an even better answer from one participant: I call them my buddies.

A participant noted that our world has changed dramatically and that it is no longer possible for folks to live quietly and minimally off the grid. With our emphasis upon laws, ownership, and liability, finding a quiet place to exist simply is no longer possible.

It was asked, how can we, as a community, unite our incredible energy and passion to craft a resilient community for all? We are a hotbed of creative activity! When it was asked what was stopping us, we were reminded that land is a key element to all our housing solutions.

While Shannon responded that the Foundation tends to liquidate donated land rather than retaining it, Nora noted that TSSEC could consider bridging finances for housing construction if land were acquired.

We were reminded that there is good news concerning housing, including, the promised BC Housing 28-unit supportive housing, the imminent CRD Board discussion about a Rural Housing Program, potential worker housing funding from the Southern Gulf Islands Tourism Partnership, and the planned Local Community Commission Housing meeting to identify gaps and steps to address them.

Despite all these potentially exciting housing initiatives, we were reminded that there is still nowhere folks living in campers can stay cheaply and safely during the winter. And, that our community does own a number of underutilized properties. Managed by PARC, should they be considered as we seek land for affordable housing initiatives.

It was already 1:00 and time for an end to this fascinating, free-ranging conversation. But, not before getting our guests’ commitment to join us again to continue to craft partnerships with the funding solve our most important issues. With applause, we all thanked Robert, Nora, Julie, and Shannon for joining us and leading an inspiring discussion rich with potential avenues for action. (A heartfelt thank-you Julie, Nora, Shannon, and Robert!)