First West Foundation

The First West Foundation cares about the well-being of the communities served by First West Credit Union and our regional divisions: Envision Financial, Valley First, and Enderby & District Financial. We use income generated from our endowments to help improve the quality of life for British Columbians in these communities, proudly contributing more than $2.4 million to charities since the Foundation’s inception.

In 2012 in the Envision region, we supported charities and initiatives helping children, families and youth at risk by donating more than $257,000 from the Envision Financial Community Endowment. Up to 30 per cent of available funds from this endowment were also directed to charities for their much needed organizational development needs.

In the Valley First region, the Valley First Community Endowment generated funding for organizations that run food-related programs for at-risk children, youth, seniors, and families in the Okanagan, Thompson and Similkameen areas. Over the past two years, this endowment has distributed nearly $83,000 to worthy organizations for programming such as community kitchens, children’s breakfast and lunch programs, and meals on wheels.

Expanding the Foundation’s reach
With the recent establishment of a $500,000 endowment, the First West Foundation will be expanding its reach to communities served by Enderby & District Financial in the North Okanagan. The Enderby Financial Community Endowment will generate funding for worthwhile community projects starting in 2014.

Learn more about the First West Foundation.