Meet the many people who are giving back and giving power to others in our local communities, through setting up a donation, grant or bursary opportunity, by volunteering, or by receiving funding to carry out unique and inspiring community projects, programs, and events. Browse our story catalogue below!
All Stories
Bringing History Beyond the Museum Walls
For more than 60 years, the Summerland Museum and Archives has helped preserve the history of the community. Today, it…
Grants Support Worker Connection
The Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen has launched the Amigos De Canada Grants, a new granting opportunity supporting…
Invest in the Future of Local Food
Food security starts close to home. Across British Columbia, demand for locally grown and produced food continues to rise. Yet…
Dream Society Unlocks $200,000 Community Investment
The dream of a new non-profit performing arts facility in downtown Penticton is a significant step closer to reality following…
Full House, Full Hearts at 100 Women Who Care June Gathering
On June 17th, 100 Women Who Care South Okanagan gathered at Summerland Heritage Cidery Co. for a lively summer meeting…
From Family to Community: JayD Atkinson’s Princeton Spirit of Sports Legacy Fund
For JayD Atkinson, sports were never just about the game. They were a constant throughout his life in Princeton, shaping…
100 Women Support Student Wellness & Learning
April 8th kicked off our first 100 Women Who Care event of 2026. With a Pink and Floral theme and…
Table Talks and Relational Ripples
New Pathway for Learning and Conversation This spring, 135 people gathered in Penticton, Vernon, and Kelowna for introductory Table Talks…
Ready Where We Live Grants Now Available
The Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen is pleased to launch Ready Where We Live, a new micro-grant program…
News
Grants Support Worker Connection
The Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen has launched the Amigos De Canada Grants, a new granting opportunity supporting…
Invest in the Future of Local Food
Food security starts close to home. Across British Columbia, demand for locally grown and produced food continues to rise. Yet…
Dream Society Unlocks $200,000 Community Investment
The dream of a new non-profit performing arts facility in downtown Penticton is a significant step closer to reality following…
Full House, Full Hearts at 100 Women Who Care June Gathering
On June 17th, 100 Women Who Care South Okanagan gathered at Summerland Heritage Cidery Co. for a lively summer meeting…
100 Women Support Student Wellness & Learning
April 8th kicked off our first 100 Women Who Care event of 2026. With a Pink and Floral theme and…
Table Talks and Relational Ripples
New Pathway for Learning and Conversation This spring, 135 people gathered in Penticton, Vernon, and Kelowna for introductory Table Talks…
Community Funds
Helping Kaleden stay “a special place forever”
When Tom and Sue Kelly used to drive home from Penticton at the end of a work day, turning into…
Princeton and area fire departments win big at community event
The Princeton, Erris, Eastgate, Hayes Creek and Tulameen fire departments have been exhausted by two intense back-to-back wildfire seasons, left…
Community Programs
AUD Project helps Princeton woman find success
A series of stories related to the Community Foundation’s AUD project are being published in the Similkameen Spotlight. Read the…
Indiginews features Table Talks Initiative
Indiginews reporter, Aaron Hemens, writes about the upcoming Table Talks initiative, created in partnership with IndigenEYEZ and the Community Foundation…
Bridging reconciliation gaps through conversation
Table Talks, a new pilot program in the South Okanagan will bring Indigenous and non-Indigenous community members together in a…
Summerland supports family displaced by war
Thanks to dedicated support from the Summerland Refugee Sponsorship Group and a generous donation from the 100 Women Who Care…
The power of youth to build community
“Our youth are facing unbelievable challenges,” say Kim Conroy, manager of Foundry Penticton, a youth centre which opened its doors…
New treatment transforms lives
NP Patrice Gordon helps patients overcome alcohol addiction by prescribing a simple prescription medication that takes away cravings and withdrawal…
Personal Funds
From Family to Community: JayD Atkinson’s Princeton Spirit of Sports Legacy Fund
For JayD Atkinson, sports were never just about the game. They were a constant throughout his life in Princeton, shaping…
From Decades of Service to a Lasting Legacy: Janet Parker’s Commitment to Penticton
Janet Parker’s name is woven into the fabric of Penticton. She has spent a lifetime here, not only building a…
Paving a Path for the Future: John Pankiw’s Legacy
John Pankiw is well known in our community as the founder of Cantex Group of Companies. Many also know that…
The Penny Lane legacy
As we reach the ten-year mark since the closure of Summerland’s beloved Penny Lane stores in 2013, we also celebrate…
Local food banks benefit from Fest of Ale’s support
For many in our communities, the need for assistance from food banks becomes particularly great during the holidays. This year,…
Fund pays tribute to three brothers’ courage
Belyea Brothers Fund The Belyea Brothers Fund was established to honour the courage and sacrifices of the three young Belyea…
Get Involved
Possibility Circle: Imagine Together
A monthly online gathering to explore and activate ideas. The Possibility Circle was created in response to one simple request…
Graham Lyle: From Observer to Leader
“When I first joined the board, I would be the quietest one at the meetings,” reflects Graham Lyle, past board…
100 Men needs guys for charity event
The September 100 Men Who Care event will be hosted at the Summerland Heritage Cidery Company. Learn more in this…
Kim Lyster: Changing the conversation
When Kim Lyster was recruited to the Community Foundation board, it was a well-functioning but traditional organization. She saw an…
Marielle Brule: “Let’s start with yes”
Even after more than a decade of serving on the Community Foundation’s board, Marielle Brule would have signed up for…
Giving Events
Full House, Full Hearts at 100 Women Who Care June Gathering
On June 17th, 100 Women Who Care South Okanagan gathered at Summerland Heritage Cidery Co. for a lively summer meeting…
100 Women Support Student Wellness & Learning
April 8th kicked off our first 100 Women Who Care event of 2026. With a Pink and Floral theme and…
First chance to give back
100 Men are hosting their first event of 2023, with a focus on mental health awareness. Read more in these…
100 Women award $5,600 to local charities
Penticton’s 100 Women who Care group was back at it again this week, awarding $5,600 in total to deserving local…
Men band together to help
The 100 Men Who Care organization in Penticton is looking for new members who care about their community and want…
100 Women support mental health
At their first in-person event in a long time, 100 Women Who Care South Okanagan supported three Penticton nonprofits on…
Grants
Empowering youth to thrive
Have you ever planted a seed in a spot where it didn’t grow? It wasn’t the seed; rather, the combination…
Looking back at 2025 grants
The close of each year offers a chance to reflect on the impact our annual grant making has had on…
Upgrades transform local theatre
Funding for a “behind the scenes” request can be just as impactful as support for a highly visible project. Just…
Bursaries make music lessons accessible to all
The cost of music lessons can be out of reach for many in our community. That’s where PAMDA’s bursary program…
Soupateria keeps people fed in challenging times
The Penticton Soupateria Society has been providing meals to individuals in need since 1985. For the past 20 years, those…
SOWINS helps women explore a bright future
The South Okanagan Women In Need Society (SOWINS) has occupied an important place in our community’s social fabric since 1981….
Food program helps Similkameen students and their families
It’s not news that the rising cost of food is putting a strain on families across our region. Josée-Anne Rouleau,…
New computers help streamline Society’s admin tasks
Thanks to a 2023 Foundation grant, the Oliver Senior Centre Society has greatly improved its organizational efficiency. The grant was…
Bursaries
Full House, Full Hearts at 100 Women Who Care June Gathering
On June 17th, 100 Women Who Care South Okanagan gathered at Summerland Heritage Cidery Co. for a lively summer meeting…
100 Women Support Student Wellness & Learning
April 8th kicked off our first 100 Women Who Care event of 2026. With a Pink and Floral theme and…
First chance to give back
100 Men are hosting their first event of 2023, with a focus on mental health awareness. Read more in these…
100 Women award $5,600 to local charities
Penticton’s 100 Women who Care group was back at it again this week, awarding $5,600 in total to deserving local…
Men band together to help
The 100 Men Who Care organization in Penticton is looking for new members who care about their community and want…
100 Women support mental health
At their first in-person event in a long time, 100 Women Who Care South Okanagan supported three Penticton nonprofits on…
Impact Investing
Full House, Full Hearts at 100 Women Who Care June Gathering
On June 17th, 100 Women Who Care South Okanagan gathered at Summerland Heritage Cidery Co. for a lively summer meeting…
100 Women Support Student Wellness & Learning
April 8th kicked off our first 100 Women Who Care event of 2026. With a Pink and Floral theme and…
First chance to give back
100 Men are hosting their first event of 2023, with a focus on mental health awareness. Read more in these…
100 Women award $5,600 to local charities
Penticton’s 100 Women who Care group was back at it again this week, awarding $5,600 in total to deserving local…
Men band together to help
The 100 Men Who Care organization in Penticton is looking for new members who care about their community and want…
100 Women support mental health
At their first in-person event in a long time, 100 Women Who Care South Okanagan supported three Penticton nonprofits on…
Past Grant Recipients
Full House, Full Hearts at 100 Women Who Care June Gathering
On June 17th, 100 Women Who Care South Okanagan gathered at Summerland Heritage Cidery Co. for a lively summer meeting…
100 Women Support Student Wellness & Learning
April 8th kicked off our first 100 Women Who Care event of 2026. With a Pink and Floral theme and…
First chance to give back
100 Men are hosting their first event of 2023, with a focus on mental health awareness. Read more in these…
100 Women award $5,600 to local charities
Penticton’s 100 Women who Care group was back at it again this week, awarding $5,600 in total to deserving local…
Men band together to help
The 100 Men Who Care organization in Penticton is looking for new members who care about their community and want…
100 Women support mental health
At their first in-person event in a long time, 100 Women Who Care South Okanagan supported three Penticton nonprofits on…