December 2023 Recipients: Cowichan Valley Pride Society and Coastal Queer Alliance in Tofino
1) $2750 to Coastal Queer Alliance in Tofino
Name of your group: Coastal Queer Alliance
Name of umbrella organization (if applicable):
Website (if applicable): http://www.coastalqueeralliance.ca
Tell us a bit about your group and its purposes/projects. Please include bit about its history. : Coastal Queer Alliance is based in Tofino, in the unceded and traditional territory of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, and has been active since the spring of 2021. We are dedicated to fostering representation, resources, and collaborative opportunities for the local queer community. Our mission prioritizes accessibility and education, ensuring inclusivity is at the core of our events. CQA began and still exists as a largely under-resourced initiative, created by a volunteer team of three. Throughout the past two and a half years, many have come to depend on our organization as it provides a space for queer folks to gather, and resources for queer connections in a community where queerness otherwise lacks visibility. Some of our past and ongoing projects include Queer Surf, regular community events, the creation of regional specific healthcare resources, workplace queer competency educational training, and a queer youth connections program.
Is there a specific project that this new money would be applied to, or would it be used for your ongoing work? Please describe. : This grant would help to sustain and bolster our operational foundation, a facet often overshadowed by program-specific funding. While our programs are funded through grant streams, our growth in team size, scope, and community impact has outpaced our operational budget. Acquiring organizational capacity funding would ensure that essential ongoing expenses can be sustained. This includes compensating our indispensable bookkeeper—a critical component for maintaining financial compliance and positioning ourselves for government grants. Additionally, it would help cover essential software costs such as our website, a hub for community resources, and Zoom, which serves as a connective tool in our rural setting where in-person interaction is not always feasible. Many other expenses, such as filing annual reports, filing T2 tax returns, and payroll software expenses, are not covered through program funding but create a substantial financial burden that grant funding would help to support.
Our ability to deliver and expand our programs relies on our organizational capacity matching pace. As we’ve continued to operate, our programs have grown at a pace that our organizational capacity has not been able to keep up with. Acquiring this funding would ensure that we can continue to do the work we do, while keeping on top of our organizational and legal responsibilities.
Please elaborate on how your work or project will benefit the Queer community and how it enhances the community in two or more of these critical dimensions: Inclusion, Diversity, Accessibility and Equality.: Coastal Queer Alliance (CQA) stands as a vital force in the Tofino, Ucluelet, and surrounding communities up to Port Alberni, where it fulfills a critical gap as one of the few queer organizations in the region. Our consistent, accessible, and advocacy-driven approach has positioned us as a lifeline for many queer individuals, addressing a substantial void in visibility for both newcomers and lifelong residents. As the sole organizer of regular event programming exclusively for the queer community, CQA recognizes and actively addresses diverse barriers beyond queer identity.
Understanding the challenges that impact our local queer community’s ability to show up and participate in events, two primary obstacles being finances and transportation, most of our events are free, and we provide transportation support whenever possible. This commitment enhances inclusion, diversity, and accessibility within our community, making our organization an indispensable source of connection and support for queer individuals in the region.
What is the estimated budget for the project that you are proposing or working on?: We are looking to secure $2,500 from Island Queers for ongoing operational expenses, but would be appreciative of any amount of full or partial funding.
What are your other funding sources for this project (if applicable) ? Include approximate amounts if possible.: We write operational expenses into grant applications where it is allowed within the eligible expenses. We have confirmed $1000 from a project funded by BC Association of Community Response Networks, and are pending $500 from the District of Ucluelet Grant in Aid stream.
Do you have a question for us?: No questions - just gratitude for the work you do!
2) $2745 to Cowichan Valley Pride Society
Name of your group: Cowichan Valley Pride
Name of umbrella organization (if applicable):
Website (if applicable): https://m.facebook.com/CowichanPride
Tell us a bit about your group and its purposes/projects. Please include bit about its history. : Cowichan Pride was resurrected after several dormant years and has a new board. We held our first parade this past summer to great success and have a new robust board. We have held one social event since that was well attended. We have dreams of more events during the year and will also do another parade in 2024 to keep visibility strong here in the Cowichan Valley.
Is there a specific project that this new money would be applied to, or would it be used for your ongoing work? Please describe. : This would help fund more year round events and support our next parade. In turn this supports the building of connections within the greater community and better visibility.
Please elaborate on how your work or project will benefit the Queer community and how it enhances the community in two or more of these critical dimensions: Inclusion, Diversity, Accessibility and Equality.:Bringing larger numbers of the community together encourages others who may be afraid to come out as well as reduces feelings of isolation and a lack of support which can allay mental health issues. It shows the diversity within our community and brings the entire community together to celebrate this beautiful difference.
What is the estimated budget for the project that you are proposing or working on?: Social events through the year: estimated cost is $1500. We would like to do a dance event but need funds for a space and hiring a DJ. We also always need funds for our parade which costs about 4-5K each year.
What are your other funding sources for this project (if applicable) ? Include approximate amounts if possible.: We hope to continue to get donations from business and individuals but this is easier for the parade than social events. However the social events help keep the queer community together in the between times and offer a supportive environment.
Do you have a question for us?: What are the requirements of receiving money from your organization other than reporting back about how the money is used?
September 2023 Recipient:
AVI Men’s Wellness Program
Name of your group: AVI Men's Wellness Program
Name of umbrella organization (if applicable): AVI Community Health Centre
Website (if applicable): http://avi.org
Tell us a bit about your group and its purposes/projects. Please include bit about its history. : AVI's men's wellness program has been operating for 5 years and is dedicated to education, prevention and clinical engagement for men who have sex with men. We are a low barrier, gender affirming clinic offering wellness services free of charge to anyone in the LGBTQ2S+ community.
Is there a specific project that this new money would be applied to, or would it be used for your ongoing work? Please describe. : The money would be spent to support unfunded components of our men's wellness program and expand our services and programming.
Please elaborate on how your work or project will benefit the Queer community and how it enhances the community in two or more of these critical dimensions: Inclusion, Diversity, Accessibility and Equality.: AVI has been creating capacity in the queer community for over 30 years and is the only clinical setting available in Nanaimo that is culturally competent for queer people and offers primary care attachment to a physician.
What is the estimated budget for the project that you are proposing or working on?: We are asking for funds to support programming costs like refreshments for our men's hike, badge making supplies for our "Let's Talk" program and possibly a small winter gathering for our service users. We are starting with nothing so we haven't figured out how we want to spend the money but we are very good reporters and are happy to share receipts and results.
What are your other funding sources for this project (if applicable) ? Include approximate amounts if possible.: The parts of our work that are funded come from Public Health of Canada and Island Health. They provide salaries for educators, STI nurses and support workers but not for any programming related costs like art supplies, water, harm reduction supplies or nutritional support.
Island Queers President James Chamberlain presents AVI’s funding at the Annual General Meeting
June 2023 Recipients:
The Pride Society of the Comox Valley (Pride Comox Valley)
AND
Saplings Gender Diverse Kids
Due to these two groups requesting smaller amounts funding, they were grouped together to be voted upon by our donors and each received a portion of the donations. See the applications from each group below.
Members of Comox Valley Pride Society and Saplings Gender Diverse Camp receive funds from Island Queers and Allies Who Care at the organization’s first birthday party in July 2023.
Name of your group: Saplings Gender Diverse Kids
Name of umbrella organization (if applicable): Saplings Outdoor Program
Website (if applicable): http://saplingsoutdoorprogram.ca
Tell us a bit about your group and its purposes/projects. Please include bit about its history. : We are running an outdoor summer camp in Nanaimo for gender diverse children ages 4-11. This camp will be led by gender diverse educators and follow forest school philosophies. The purpose of the camp is to provide a space for children to build connections with other transgender/gender creative peers and educators while exploring the natural world. The focus of forest school to promote holistic learning and a sense of belonging while fostering curiosity, creativity, and a love for the outdoors. TK Hannah is leading this project, they’re a transgender early childhood educator with a special interest in forest school and gender affirming practice in the early years. They run a workshop series on supporting gender diverse children in the early years. This will be the first year the camp will run.
Is there a specific project that this new money would be applied to, or would it be used for your ongoing work? Please describe. : This money will be applied to purchasing supplies for the camp and towards offsetting the cost of our "pay what you can" pricing and accessible pricing which is used to provide the educators their wages. We will not be taking a profit from this program, all money will be funded back into the program.
Please elaborate on how your work or project will benefit the Queer community and how it enhances the community in two or more of these critical dimensions: Inclusion, Diversity, Accessibility and Equality.: Our group was formed in response to the growing need for equitable and inclusive early year experiences for gender diverse children. Most gender diverse kids programs serve children over the age of 12, leaving younger children with limited gender affirming spaces. We believe in creating an intentional space where children feel seen, heard, and valued for who they are and where guardians can feel secure that their child will be supported for their unique selves during their recreation experience. This camp directly supports inclusion, diversity, accessibility and equality for gender diverse people. In addition, forest school is often sought out by neurodivergent people, our program is inclusive to children with disabilities and firmly believes that the program should change to fit the child, rather than the other way around.
What is the estimated budget for the project that you are proposing or working on?: 2,000
What are your other funding sources for this project (if applicable) ? Include approximate amounts if possible.: some of the parents have opted into paying a small fee for this project. Our sliding scale runs from $100 for accessible pricing, $200 for standard pricing and $300 for rebalancing pricing. So far, families have selected "pay what you can", accessible pricing or standard.
Name of your group: The Pride Society of the Comox Valley (Pride Comox Valley)
Website (if applicable): https://pridesocietycomoxvalley.org
Tell us a bit about your group and its purposes/projects. Please include bit about its history. : Pride Comox Valley is re-emerging from the earlier days of the pandemic. It is working to re-engage with the community through advocacy and education. Pride Comox Valley has actively engaged in projects that support queer youth, and had been a strong voice in the local Community Health Network, and is active in promoting positive queer presentation with the local school district. It is also taking the direction of supporting local, queer artists and businesses while seeking its primary support from its local community as well.
Is there a specific project that this new money would be applied to, or would it be used for your ongoing work? Please describe. : Pride Comox Valley has joined forces this year with a local group, Queer Culture, to present Pride Weekend 2023. While Queer Culture is managing most of the party events, Pride Comox Valley is hosting Pride in the Park, a family friendly, youth friendly event to be held the afternoon of August 26. Pride Comox Valley is seeking funds to help promote Pride in the Park through local and Island supports. Funds generated from Pride in the Park, or funds left over from sponsorship will be directed towards Pride's ongoing advocacy work in the Comox Valley.
Please elaborate on how your work or project will benefit the Queer community and how it enhances the community in two or more of these critical dimensions: Inclusion, Diversity, Accessibility and Equality.: Queer people see the hatred in the world right now. While Canada is a considerably safer place than many other parts of the world, queer hatred occurs here too, including a few acts of violence in the Comox Valley in recent years and months. Pride in the Park is intentionally celebrating, and promoting, the strength in our local queer community and its allies.
We will be featuring, and paying, trans and drag performers for 2 of 4 hours of stage entertainment.
We are offering free vending booths to promote the work of non profits or businesses:
Community Cares Peer Outreach (to support our unhoused neighbours in whose yard the event will be held)
Indigenous Women's Sharing Society - who will lead a drumming circle and offer a salmon bake
Queer Framers (acceptance not yet confirmed)
Sunday Station (local organization that feeds unhoused neighbours for free will be providing the food for the event and all proceeds will be used to continue their valuable work in our community).
Event organizers have disabilities and are ensuring the event is disability, and Elder, friendly. Special seating will be available throughout the park for people with disabilities and Elders.
One of the event organizers works in the field of accessibility and is currently co-leading vital accessibility work in the Comox Valley.
What is the estimated budget for the project that you are proposing or working on?:
Income
West and Co 2000
CHN 500
Vendors (projected) 500
Expenses
Drag Queens 1000
DJ 750
Host 400
RV for performers green room 500
Park Rental 350
Insurance 500
Security 1250
Misc. Supplies 500
Deficit 2250
What are your other funding sources for this project (if applicable) ? Include approximate amounts if possible.: West & Co. $2000
Community Health Network $500
Vendors (projected) $500
Pride Comox Valley has enough funds to cover this projected deficit, but it will completely drain the bank account, and creating a red for further fundraising to continue the work we would like to do in the community.
April 2023 Recipient of $3150: Camp Kin
Tem McCutcheon, Stuart Higgs, Meika Johnson, and Genevieve Burdett of Camp Kin
Name of your group: Camp Kin
Name of umbrella organization (if applicable): Lake Park Society
Website (if applicable): https://cumberlandlakepark.ca/programs/summer-camps/
Tell us a bit about your group and its purposes/projects. Please include bit about its history. : Camp Kin is a summer camp for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth between the ages of 10 and 13. It is run through the Lake Park Society, which is a not-for-profit society that has been contracted by the Village of Cumberland for the overall management and operation of Cumberland Lake Park and Campground since 2015. The Society serves the community by providing outdoor experiences that celebrate nature, build community, support low-impact recreation and inspire learning. This is our second year of running Camp Kin and we’re looking forward to another week of inclusion, play, and celebration at Comox Lake. Campers will be canoeing, swimming, hiking, crafting, and connecting with peers and camp instructors with shared lived experience. We also engage in 2SLGBTQIA+ specific education to ensure all campers have the tools and knowledge to be empowered in their queer identities. Our priority is to celebrate gender diversity and all orientations by creating a safe space for each camper to be their truest self. Camp Kin welcomes all identities, including allies. The camp will run daily from 9:00am to 3:00pm from July 31st to August 4th, 2023.
Is there a specific project that this new money would be applied to, or would it be used for your ongoing work? Please describe. : 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and their families face multiple barriers, and we strongly believe in making Camp Kin financially accessible to all campers. This funding would go directly to our Camp Kin Bursary program to further subsidize the camp fees. Participant costs are currently offered at a cost-recovery rate of $220+tax for one week of camp. As a non-profit with limited resources, this fee ensures that we are able to offer the program. However, we recognize that this still creates a financial barrier to 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and their families. We hope to provide both fully covered and partially covered fees for campers who would otherwise not be able to attend. $2,000 of financial support from Island Queers and Allies Who Care would fully sponsor eight campers to attend for the entire week. $3,000 would almost sponsor all fourteen campers to attend Camp Kin!
Please elaborate on how your work or project will benefit the Queer community and how it enhances the community in two or more of these critical dimensions: Inclusion, Diversity, Accessibility and Equality.: As educators in SD71, we have witnessed a lack of safe spaces for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth in elementary schools. The intermediate age group in particular is seeking connection and guidance in schools that are currently hostile or oblivious to the support needed. While Rainbow Clubs and various SOGI related activities are beginning to take shape in select schools, they are often inadequate for the scale of support needed. Camp Kin provides kids, many of whom have yet to experience or witness queer joy, with a chance to let their guard down and unapologetically be themselves.
Camp Kin is currently one of the only queer and trans focused camps for youth 10-13 in BC, and the only one north of Victoria. Last year, youth travelled from as far as Malcolm Island to attend. Camp Kin provides a fun, safe space for youth to connect with peers and show up as their full authentic selves. We provide inclusive swimming options and gender neutral facilities, honour pronouns and chosen names, make space to question identity, and celebrate all genders. We believe it is vital that campers see positive queer representation in our leadership team. Throughout the week we also host several inter-generational community members to role model queer excellence by sharing their skills, joy, and wisdom. We incorporate our diverse community to demonstrate to campers that they will thrive as adults too, not despite their queerness but because of it.
What is the estimated budget for the project that you are proposing or working on?: Our budget is $9,000 for one week of programming, which includes staffing costs ($4,000) and expenses ($5,000). Many of our expenses are provided by the Lake Park Society through in-kind donations (use of campground and equipment like canoes, kayaks, shade tents, crafting supplies, etc.). Our goal is to raise enough funds so that Lake Park Society can continue to offer this program at an accessible rate, with options for full or partial subsidies.
What are your other funding sources for this project (if applicable) ? Include approximate amounts if possible.: Our main funding source is from the Lake Park Society, who is providing in-kind support through equipment and staffing. We have received some private donations and voluntary support from community members. We are currently researching other funding options.
December 2022 Recipient of $3660:
Diverse and Inclusive Salt Spring Island
DAISSI, formally GLOSSI (gays and lesbians of Salt Spring Island) has been a registered non-profit Society for many years. The Society Board has 6 Directors.
Although best known as holding a very large and popular September Pride Parade and week of Pride events, attended by thousands with many off island visitors, DAISSI is also active throughout the year. DAISSI supports individual queer folks in need, provides social opportunities throughout the year, makes referrals, does community awareness building through consultations and workshops for organizations that service islanders, and publishes poignant public statements on current queer issues highlighting intersectionality. One Society purpose is to encourage a positive and visible presence in the community. All Society funds have come from within the community with a vlaue on grassroots engagement.
Is there a specific project that this new money would be applied to, or would it be used for your ongoing work? Please describe. : Planning The Pride Village July 2023!
Funding would go towards the Planning of and Fundraising for a Queer Camping Village and Festival in Ganges, at the Farmers Institute (on Rainbow Road no less!)
This location is where the Fall Fair is held and provides amply camping space, a large hall suitable to dances and workshops, vendor spaces, indoor and outdoor kitchens, a large outdoor stage, bathrooms, showers, a short bus shuttle to ferries and grocery stores, walking distance to restaurants, and more.
This would be a festival atmosphere with an invitation for participants to co-create events and experiences.
We would provide a sound system for both professional musicians plus open mic for participants. In the spirit of Burning Man we would encourage wild creativity, free giveaways, trades, sharing, contests for creative group camping extravaganzas, and more.Our community needs a boost in intergenerational connections as youth are coming forward identifying as queer and elders are aging. Elders have much to share as well as they have increasing needs to create and strengthen family of choice.
Our Pride Dance Oct 1, 2021, with volunteer entertainment, including amateur drag from all ages, was very successful and held at the Farmers Institute. As a result we now feel more confident knowing how to access all bookings, permits, security and making full use of the space, and trusting volunteer entertainers will come forward. Planning for such an event must start within the next month, and funds are needed to hire an experienced planner to ensure success and avoid volunteer burnout.
Please elaborate on how your work or project will benefit the Queer community and how it enhances the community in two or more of these critical dimensions: Inclusion, Diversity, Accessibility and Equality.:
Increased Queer Community Building and Engagement as well as Coalition Building with our other Salt Spring progressive community organizations. We envision creating safe spaces particularly for our trans and non binary youth and our elder adults.
Accessibility for differently abled people will be a priority and we have already assessed and made an inventory of how the site can accommodate many of these needs.
Intergenerational connections - much needed - will be built into the organizing and programming.
We also value making visible the intersectionality of non conforming gender identity and sexual orientation lives with community members challenged further by lower income, being differently abled and having non-white experiences. We will do this by prioritizing diversity in the early involvement of the planning, on site workshops, dancing, volunteer teams, and post evaluation activities.
Our 2SLGBTQIA+ community members will benefit from a more visible understanding and respect of our diversity in addition to building understanding and respect for diversity amongst our allies and soon to-be allies. Awareness of Climate Crisis and strengthening community responses will be an ongoing context.
What is the estimated budget for the project that you are proposing or working on?: $5,000.
To cover the cost of 3 months of project description and budget development, event planning, to be positioned for further fundraising.
The DAISSI Board would appoint a Board Director and a committee to create the job description, search, interview, hire and oversee and manage the Planners time.
The funds would almost exclusively go towards wages/fee-for-service. Further fundraising would raise the funds for Farmer Institute rental/booking, permits, advertising, volunteer coordination, sound person with sound systems (already with interest expressed) and more.
What are your other funding sources for this project (if applicable) ? Include approximate amounts if possible.: Our Fundraising will tap funds from: The Legion ($1000 max), Island Savings Credit Union ($500-800 max) , SSI Foundation Small Neighbourhood Grants ($500 per grant for 4 individual events at the Pride Village - total estimate $2000), Government of Canada Community Services Recovery Fund ($ amount range is not available until Jan 6), SSI Businesses and individual donations ($3,000) , Province of BC Festival Grants (not available at this time), Ferry Workers Union ($700), BC Community Response Networks (SSI CRN grant for queer elders response to elder abuse and neglect resulting from isolation and dependency $1,000).
September 2022 Funding Recipient:
Gender Generations Project
The Gender Generations Project works to empower trans, two-spirit, non-binary, and other gender diverse youth so that they can recognize their potential to be leaders in their own communities throughout British Columbia, and the rest of the world. The project fosters connections between the youth and adult mentors with shared or similar gender identities and backgrounds who can support and inspire them to live their truths in spite of adversity.
In our retreats, and through all of our workshops and other group activities, we work to build creative projects that provide meaningful ways for both the youth and mentors to engage in self-expression, as well as bring awareness to our diverse community.
We are a model of awesome gender diverse representation for youth in schools who might be questioning their gender identity or expression, parents of kids who are in the process of coming out, educators and other professionals who support gender diverse youth, and anyone else who can relate to our spirit of inclusivity and belonging.
In the past we have focused on the creation of projects in the realm of fine arts, such as writing, visual art, and performance, and are currently working on preparing to create a mural.
The donated funds will go towards the running of retreats for the youth, the supplies necessary for youth to participate in workshops, and transporting rural youth to attend the retreat.
Tell us a bit about your group and its purposes/projects. Please include bit about its history. : Gender Generations Project (GGP) began as a series of weekend retreats focusing on writing and visual arts to create two anthologies. Growing up trans (Orca Books) and Trans youth stories (Canadian Scholars Press) are the very first volumes written by trans youth and are marketed to trans youth and the caring adults who love them.
The GGP has since developed into an ongoing artistic and educational collective that facilitates free weekend retreats for trans children and youth (ages 5-18), with all programming provided by trans adult mentors (ages 18+). We also welcome parents, caregivers, and supportive adults by offering free, peer led workshops equipping them to better support and advocate for the trans children and youth in their lives. More than half of our board of directors are trans youth under the age of 19, and our executive director is a trans young adult. Valuing accessibility, our program is 100% free with meals, billeting, and transportation provided. Our May 2022 retreat welcomed 35 families, about a third of which came from outside the Greater Victoria Area.
A registered nonprofit under the BC Societies Act, the GGP is in its final stages of becoming a registered charity.
Is there a specific project that this new money would be applied to, or would it be used for your ongoing work? Please describe. : Funding would be used for the ongoing work of our twice yearly weekend retreats, including our 2022-2023 goal of creating a mural for the city of Victoria. The mural will be created during our fall 2022 and spring 2023 retreats, and serve as a public, artistic representation of trans youth in the city. For ongoing costs, funding would be utilized to rent space for our retreats, pay mentors’ honoraria, provide catering, purchase materials for sessions, and administrative costs. For the mural specifically, funding would support art supplies and purchasing the mural space.
Please elaborate on how your work or project will benefit the Queer community and how it enhances the community in two or more of these critical dimensions: Inclusion, Diversity, Accessibility and Equality.: The Gender Generations Project (GGP) benefits the Queer community by providing a joyful, educational, and creative space for trans, non-binary, Two Spirit, and gender diverse youth, mentors, and their supporters/parents to learn, connect, and gather. Though we provide programming in the arts, sports, social justice, and more, our main goal is to offer attendees a space where they can simply be in community with other trans people. Given how trans and gender diverse folks are so often a minority within the broader LGBT community, trans-centred spaces like the GGP are vitally needed. When asked their favourite thing about the GGP, many youth say “just the chance to be around people like me.” This is especially true for our rural children and youth, many of whom report never having met another trans person before, never mind 35 other families and 10+ supportive trans adult mentors and volunteers.
All of our retreats are 100% free with meals, transportation, and billeting provided. We have nurtured close connections with LGBTQ community groups across rural Vancouver Island for years and see more and more youth coming from places like Ladysmith, Haida Gwaii, Campbell River, the Comox Valley, and beyond.
