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    NEIGHBOURHOOD GRANTS

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    At Island Savings, a division of First West Credit Union, we aim to help our communities thrive. What better way to do that than by supporting local grassroots ideas, events and initiatives that are focused on building stronger and more connected communities. Through our Simple Generosity Neighbourhood Grants, we will be gifting $60,000 in grants, ranging from $100 to $500 to local volunteers, groups, and neighbourhoods that are sharing simple ideas to help our communities thrive.

    It's easy to get involved. Apply today for a #SimpleGenerosity Neighbourhood Grant and you could receive funding to support your idea, event or initiative that is helping to spread #SimpleGenerosity in our communities!


    During this time of COVID-19, Simple Generosity Neighbourhood Grants awarded for community gatherings must adhere to social distancing guidelines set out by the BC Centre of Disease Control.


    When completing your application form, tell us about your idea: 

    • What is your idea, event or initiative?
    • Amount of funding you’re requesting
    • How will the funding be used?
    • How will you share this idea, event or initiative in your neighbourhood or community?
    • How will this idea benefit people in your neighbourhood or community?
      ​

    Apply online now through our partner Do Some Good or download a PDF application form.


    ​If filling out a PDF form, completed application forms can be emailed to: simplegenerosity@firstwestcu.ca;

    or mailed to:
    First West Credit Union
    Attn: Susan Byrom
    184 Main Street​
    ​Penticton, BC  V2A 8G7


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    Application Guidelines

    • Applicants do not need to be members of First West Credit Union. Submitted ideas, events or initiatives must be focused on building stronger and more connected communities.
    • Events and initiatives must be located in a community where Island Savings operates: Greater Victoria, Cowichan Valley, Ladysmith, Salt Spring and Pender Island, and Nanaimo.
    • Applications must be submitted a minimum of 3 weeks prior to the event or initiative that is taken place. Applications will be reviewed every 7-10 business days. 
    • Grants are not to be used as personal funds. All monies will be dedicated to the specified initiative within this application.
    • A total of $60,000 will be distributed in #SimpleGenerosity Neighbourhood Grants throughout the year.

    Legal Requirements

    In submitting the application form, the Applicant agrees to let First West Credit Union and its divisions (including Envision Financial, Enderby & District Financial, Island Savings and Valley First) use the information and images provided to profile this idea, event or initiative on the First West websites and social media channels.

    If this application is successful, the Applicant acknowledges and agrees to the following:

    • Grants are not to be used as personal funds. All monies will be dedicated to the specified initiative within this application.
    • The specified initiative in this application must be located in a community where Island Savings operates: Greater Victoria, Cowichan Valley, Ladysmith, Salt Spring and Pender Island, and Nanaimo.
    • By submitting this Application, the Applicant gives First West Credit Union and its divisions (including Envision Financial, Enderby & District Financial, Island Savings and Valley First) the right and permission to publish his/her name and details of this application as captured for the #SimpleGenerosity campaign.
    • If your application is selected as a recipient, you will be contacted by a member of our Community Investment team.
    • The Applicant will ensure that all persons photographed by him/her during the specified initiative are informed of the nature of the dissemination of the photos to First West Credit Union for its unconditional use.
    • The Applicant is required to submit a completion report to First West Credit Union following the execution of the specified initiative.
    • If the specified initiative, once funding has been received from First West Credit Union, does not execute, the Applicant will be responsible for returning the grant funding as awarded.
      • To notify First West Credit Union of any changes to the date, time and location of the initiative (as applicable).
      • To submit photographs or video recordings of the initiative which may be edited, altered, copied, published, republished or distributed to third parties, now and in the future, worldwide via DVDs, the internet or other public setting. The applicant waives any right he/she may have to inspect or approve the finished product where any image or likeness appears.
      • As applicable and available, First West Credit Union staff may wish to participate in the initiative.
      • First West Credit Union is entitled to all rights of ownership in connection with the use of my image and I waive all rights I have related to that image.
      • I waive any right to receive royalties or other compensation arising from or related to the use of my image.
      • First West Credit Union may use my name and the details of the specified initiative for any purpose in connection with the use of my image, including on printed material, video, streaming media or broadcast.

    FAQs

    Have a question that’s not on this list? Submit it to simplegenerosity@firstwestcu.ca.


    I want to share #SimpleGenerosity with someone who might be interested. What’s the best way to do that?

    That’s great news! We’re excited that you’re excited about the program. Share #SimpleGenerosity with others in one of several ways:

    • Send them the link to program details on our website.
    • Ask any of our in-branch team members for program information. They’ll point you in the right direction.
    • Direct them to our #SimpleGenerosity page on Do Some Good.

    I don’t see a deadline for this program, am I still able to apply?
    Absolutely! We are accepting applications on an ongoing basis throughout the year until all funding has been granted in our communities. If you would like to submit an application for an idea, event or initiative that will benefit your community, please complete an application online or send the application form via email or mail.

    I have a short video explaining my idea, event or initiative. Am I able to submit this along with my application?
    Of course! If you have supporting videos or photos that help explain your idea and the community impact, we would love to see them. Please attach them to the email when you submit the application or include a link where the images or video can be viewed online.

    What happens after I submit my application?
    Eligible applications will be reviewed every 7-10 business days by a selection committee of enthusiastic First West employees representing each of our divisions (only those applications receiving funding will be contacted). Please submit your application a minimum of 3 weeks prior to when your event or initiative is taking place. 

    All Neighbourhood Grant applications will be posted online with our community partner, Do Some Good. Do Some Good is our social platform where we’ll share each great idea to raise awareness in our communities.

    Can I submit more than one application?
    Yes! We encourage you to submit applications for all ideas, events or initiatives focused on building stronger and more connected communities. By submitting an application and receiving a monetary grant from the Simple Generosity Neighbourhood Grant program, you agree to complete and submit a brief event summary when your idea, event or initiative finishes. Failure to do so will make you ineligible for any future grant considerations.

    Who can I call to find out if my application is going to be selected?
    Waiting to find out if your application has been selected can be tough. However with the high volume of applications submitted, we are unfortunately unable to recognize every application and idea for #SimpleGenerosity in our community. We appreciate each and every application, and are so inspired by these stories, that we will be doing what we can to showcase the great contributions of all individuals and organizations.

    How and when will funding be distributed?
    We’ll keep it simple and present the neighbourhood grants to the lucky recipients in the form of a cheque. When funding is distributed will be determined by the nature of the idea, event or initiative and the associated timelines. If possible, we will likely have some First West paparazzi there and we’ll expect you to bring your biggest smiles!

    What happens after I receive my grant?
    When your idea, event or initiative is finished, we want to know how it went. You’ll be expected to provide a brief summary on how the event or initiative went and we’ll look forward to sharing a brief grant evaluation by email to complete and send back to us. Once this report is received we’ll share your success with the community through our Do Some Good platform.

    Why haven’t I seen someone selected from my community yet for a #SimpleGenerosity neighbourhood grant?
    We'll be selecting approximately 100 outstanding applications from communities throughout B.C., in regions where First West Credit Union operates. The selections will be announced on an ongoing basis. Stay connected to our social channels and Do Some Good to be inspired by all the good things happening in neighbourhoods across B.C.

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