legacy fund
About
The Legacy Fund is one of the ways the Community Forest gives back to the community - it has provided $2 million in grants to community groups throughout the Sunshine Coast to fund many worthwhile projects offering lasting value - from the iconic Davis Bay Pier to being a major contributor to the revitalization of the xwesam-Roberts Creek Hall, and many more.
The Legacy Fund was established in 2014 and is held by the District of Sechelt and funded by the Sunshine Coast Community Forest. The grant program has been jointly administered between the two organizations, and community members who volunteered to serve on the Legacy Fund Committee. Its success in delivering benefit to the community has been in the volunteer groups who lead the projects, many volunteer hours, often leveraged by contributions from local businesses and other funding sources.
When our community forest adopted Ecosystem Based Management, starting in 2021 and with planning substantially complete and implemented by 2023, our board had to consider the impact of our conservation network on our harvest level. Based on information from Warren, our Managing Forester, our board passed a motion directing a 25% decrease in harvest level, and at the same time, made the decision to cease contributing to the Legacy Fund.
The SCCF Board has requested that the District of Sechelt consider using the nearly $2 million Sunshine Coast Community Forest Legacy Fund to create an endowment, using the annual interest to continue to deliver community grants .
Frequently Asked Questions
Community groups, non-profit groups, and public sector agencies undertaking projects which will offer lasting benefit to the people of the Lower Sunshine Coast may apply
The annual deadline for Letters of Intent is May 1st, and for those invited to submit a full application the deadline is June 15th.
The first step to applying for a Legacy Fund grant is submitting a Letter of Intent. This is a brief document introducing your project. The Legacy Fund Committee, a group including several of our Directors, District of Sechelt representatives, and community volunteers, reviews the Letters of Intent and those which are successful will be invited to submit a full application. Successful applications are submitted to the District of Sechelt Mayor & Council where they are reviewed at a public council meeting, and a final decision on funding is made. This process can take 2-3 months.
The Legacy Fund was established by the District of Sechelt’s 2014 Legacy Fund bylaw, which contains basic guidelines defining it, its purpose, and how funds may be used. Click here to read: