The Real Estate Foundation approved a total of 15 grants at the September 2013 meetings, totalling $162,200. The projects are listed below in alphabetical order, by recipient organization.

BC Real Estate Association for research on funding options and financial incentives to help BC local governments update floodplain maps in their jurisdictions. $10,000

City of Campbell River for a collaborative process to identify and analyze issues in an historic Campbell River neighbourhood; prioritize land use improvements. $10,500

City of Dawson Creek for permanent educational signs that support stewardship of Dawson Creek’s watershed (2013 BC Water Sustainability Endowment Fund Grant).  $3000

City of Terrace to update the 2009 Terrace housing needs assessment given changing housing needs and challenges facing city residents. $10,000

Community Foundations of Canada to convene BC food systems funders and stakeholders to explore how to work together in more intentional, strategic and effective ways. $7300

Cowichan Valley Regional District for a regional affordable housing needs assessment that includes a focus on seniors’ housing needs. $10,000

Custodians of the Peace Society to map locations near Hudson’s Hope showing water source losses; show potential vulnerability of shallow water systems to oil and gas activities. $8580

Ecotrust Canada to study the necessary conditions to apply a pay-for-performance investment model to finance more affordable housing in BC communities. $15,000

FarmFolk CityFolk Society for a study comparing three small-scale farm product distribution hubs, with the goal of developing a service model for BC. $10,000

Fraser River Discovery Centre Society to develop a resource package to help educators teach about water quality and inspire students to connect with water on a personal level.  $6,000

Groundbreakers Agricultural Association to develop a regionally relevant food education program, linked to schoolyard and neighbourhood gardens, for Bulkley Valley schools. $7,320

LUSH Valley Food Action Society to research barriers to land access for farming in the Comox Valley; assemble a list of priority sites easily converted to food production. $10,000

Shift 41 Society to engage lower Fraser Valley residents with water issues via “story mapping”; develop a paper on new approaches to freshwater governance. $19,500

Tides Canada Initiatives Society to assist members and/or staff of BC grassroots and First Nations organizations to attend a January 2014 watershed symposium in Duncan. $15,000

Wildsight for a Kootenay symposium to discuss regional watershed governance in light of climate change and significant government policies. $20,000