The Real Estate Foundation of BC’s Board of Governors approved 13 grants at the Foundation’s September 2016 grants meeting, totaling $1,111,300. To date, REFBC has awarded more than $75 million in grants to support sustainable land use projects in communities across BC.

September 2016 grants are listed in alphabetical order below.

Tides Canada Initiatives Society (BC Food Systems Network) to lead a collective impact initiative, building on recommendations from the Sustainable Food System Working Group, to advance local food systems in BC. ($150,000)

David Suzuki Foundation to increase public awareness of and build capacity for First Nations working towards indigenous stewardship of traditional territories. ($100,000)

Fair Mining Collaborative to design and deliver training for industry, government, and First Nations communities on collaboration strategies and fair mining practices, and for a legal review of the Mineral Tenure Act. ($130,000)

Fresh Roots Urban Farm Society to launch Cultivating the School Food System, an initiative that trains and supports young farmers by using public land. ($106,000)

Selkirk College (Columbia Basin Rural Development Institute) to work with local governments, using the State of Climate Adaptation and Resilience in the Basin tool, to measure progress in adapting to climate change. ($50,000)

Small Housing BC to support the uptake of compact housing forms in BC communities through a pilot project with the City of Surrey and outreach to municipalities on ‘gentle density.’ ($75,000)

Squamish CAN: to implement the Squamish Food Charter through a Squamish Food Policy Council with membership from local governments, First Nations, and provincial authorities. ($50,000)

Tahltan Central Government: to support land use planning – including community consultation, mapping, and data review – for the Tahltan traditional territory. ($92,700)

Tyee Solutions Society: to explore solutions for and fund public-interest journalism on local, regional and national housing issues. ($50,000)

UBC Health and Community Design Lab: to work with land use decision-makers on research into the effect transportation investments, development decisions and walkable built environments have on health outcomes. ($140,000)

UFV Agriburban Research Centre and Agriculture Centre of Excellence to build a shared database of best practices and maps of suitable areas for growing innovative crops. ($105,000)

Vancouver Farmers Markets: to develop Vancouver Farmers Market Direct, a virtual farmers’ market and food delivery service for commercial buyers, as a model for institutional procurement from local food producers. ($40,000)

Whistler Centre for Sustainability: to establish a food systems task force to develop and implement an action plan on local food in the Squamish-Lillooet region, integrating with current regional planning initiatives where possible. ($22,500)

Our next grant submission intake is for the Real Estate Industry Grant stream. Applications are due Dec. 15, 2016. Our next intake of General Grant applications is in March 2017. For details, visit our grants page or contact Nick Davies, Grants Coordinator, at nick@refbc.com.