2023 Community Grants Awarded: 27 Organizations to Receive $122,324 in Funding

Tuesday, April 25, 2023 – District of Sooke Mayor and Council recognize the many not-for-profit organizations providing extremely valuable contributions to our community. Twenty-seven (27) worthy organizations have been awarded a total of $122,324 through the annual community grant program.

The funding contributions for this year are allotted from a combination of an established portion in the District’s budget (up to $65,000) and the COVID Safe Restart Reserve Fund.

Grants of up to $7,000 are available each year for organizations that enhance the quality of life for Sooke residents in the areas of: 

  • Arts and culture;
  • Community development, including promotion, economic development and beautification;
  • Environmental sustainability;
  • Heritage;
  • Public safety; and
  • Sports and recreation.

The grant recipients for 2023 are: 

  • Amber Academy Youth Fine Arts Society – $7,000
  • Capital Bike – $1,475
  • Choral Evolution Society – $6,500
  • Edward Milne Community School Society – $3,500
  • Edward Milne Community School – $3,500
  • Harmony Project Sooke – $7,000
  • Juan de Fuca Marine Rescue Society – $3,500
  • KidSport Greater Victoria – $7,000
  • NEED2 Prevention, Education, & Support – $2,000
  • Royal Canadian Marine Search & Rescue (Headquarters) – $5,000
  • Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Society – $4,700
  • 606 Water Group – $1,014
  • Sooke Classical Boating Society – $5,500
  • Sooke Community Choir Society – $2,825
  • Sooke Fall Fair Association – $4,500
  • Sooke Family Resource Society – $7,000
  • Sooke Festival Society – $3,000
  • Sooke Harbour Players – $3,000
  • Sooke Horseshoe Pitching Association – $7,000
  • Sooke Hospice Society    – $7,000
  • Sooke Pickleball Group – $7,000
  • South Island Performing Arts Society – $5,000
  • Sunriver Community Garden Society (Buddy Boat) – $3,000
  • Sunriver Community Garden Society (Grow for Sooke) – $560
  • Take a Hike Youth Mental Health Foundation – $7,000
  • WUI CIST CEN TOL – $7,000
  • Zero Waste Sooke (under Sooke Transition) – $750

Learn more: 

  • District of Sooke Community Grant Program
  • The COVID Safe Restart Reserve Fund is available to aid programs supporting vulnerable populations, persons living with disabilities, mental illness and addictions, and persons experiencing homelessness.
  • For the 2023 Community Grant Program, Council received presentations from local organizations at a Special Council Meeting on April 18, 2023 and made decisions on funding allocations at the April 24, 2023 Regular Council meeting.

Media Contact: 
Christina Moog, District of Sooke Communications Coordinator 
Tel: 250.642.1634, ext. 678  l  e: cmoog@sooke.ca