Community Foundations of Canada is excited to announce a renewed partnership with our valued Vital Signs partner Leith Wheeler Investment Counsel that will continue to support the national Vital Signs program over the next four years.
This partnership provides $1,000 microgrants to community foundations to host Vital Conversations: opportunities to engage community members in the issues that matter most. Based on the ‘Not about us, without us’ principle, these conversations create open dialogue to share lived experience, gather valuable insight, generate solutions collaboratively, and mobilize civic engagement. These conversations help to guide the direction of the Vital Signs Reports, and play a significant role in informing a community foundation’s strategy.
Leith Wheeler’s support will also contribute to a Vital Signs gathering at the upcoming Community Foundations Conference in Toronto in 2023, as well as the next in 2025.
“Leith Wheeler Investment Counsel is a longtime, natural partner for us at CFC because of their deep expertise in community philanthropy and investment,” said Andrew Chunilall, CEO at Community Foundations of Canada. “After spending so much time apart during the pandemic, Vital Conversations are more important than ever. With this support, we can continue community building through the Vital Signs program.”
“We are thrilled to renew our support as national partner for the Vital Signs program for another four years,” said Michael Schaab, Vice President and Portfolio Manager at Leith Wheeler. “Meeting with so many dedicated people at both the national and local levels, and learning about the truly innovative things they’re doing to serve their communities, has been a real highlight for our team.”
Applicants
Community foundations are eligible to apply for up to $1,000 to host Vital Conversations. Priority will be given to smaller foundations, first-time Vital Signs participants as well as projects that target the following groups and focus areas: the Sustainable Development Goals, youth, seniors, and developing relationships with Indigenous-led and Black-led organizations.
Read about Whistler’s Vital Cafés and London Community Foundation’s conversations on the Sustainable Development Goals for inspiration.
Click here to apply. The deadline to submit is Apr 30, 2022.
About Leith Wheeler Investment Counsel
As one of Canada’s largest independent, employee-owned investment firms, Leith Wheeler manages over $23 billion for foundations, endowments, pensions, Indigenous communities, and individuals and their families. In addition to managing portfolios, the firm is committed to supporting the many communities across Canada where we live and work through volunteering, education, financial support, and engaging directly with excellent organizations like Community Foundations of Canada.
