The Bowen Island Community Foundation is pleased to announce $115,000 in funding to support the Bowen Island United Church’s Collins Hall improvement project through the Government of British Columbia’s Community Prosperity Fund.
The Community Prosperity Fund is a $25 million investment from the Government of B.C. that advances poverty reduction and social inclusion. The fund was announced on the inaugural B.C. Nonprofit Recognition Day.
This fund is part of the Government of B.C.’s commitment to supporting the non-profit sector and empowering local communities to make decisions about what would most benefit them and their communities. Through the Community Prosperity Fund, funded recipients have an opportunity to implement the funding over up to three years and support operational expenses or project delivery.
Since 1964, Collins Hall has been a hub of community activity on Bowen, a place where Islanders have come together to enjoy performances, share skills and knowledge, convene meetings, and celebrate events of all kinds. After six decades of providing this vital gathering space, the hall requires urgent upgrades to improve accessibility, safety, and long-term viability.
The Community Prosperity Fund grant will be devoted to implementing a range of improvements to ensure that Collins Hall remains a safe, accessible, and welcoming space for all Bowen Island residents and visitors for many years to come.
Reflecting on the application review process, Community Advisory Committee chair Joanne Gassman recalls how the committee was “so impressed with the number of applications — all were well-thought-out initiatives that would have benefited our community in various ways.”
“Our task was a difficult one, however. In the end it came down to which project would have the greatest impact to the Bowen community and we were unanimous in our decision to fund the proposed upgrades to Collins Hall,” said Gassman.
For more information on the Community Prosperity Fund, visit the Vancouver Foundation’s website. For more information on the Bowen Island Community Foundation, visit our website or email us at [email protected]
