it was another banner year for the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation (WBF), which recently awarded more than $250,000 in charitable grants to non-profits throughout the corridor.
"We did have a record fundraising year for both of our major events (the TELUS Golf Classic & the TELUS Winter Classic) which subsequently allowed us to give away [more] money in our regular granting cycle than we have before, so we were thrilled to be able to do that," said Mei Madden, executive director of the WBF.
While historically Whistler agencies have received the most money, Squamish has taken the lead in recent years, driven by larger grants to things like the Sea to Sky Hospice Centre, Centrepoint and the Under One Roof Project, Madden said.
In the most recent funding cycle, it was Squamish's Don Ross Middle School that got the biggest grant, with $40,000 going towards phase three of its outdoor space revitalization project, which includes a play structure and playground equipment.
"We have funded most of the recipients before but some of the notable new ones are the First Nations Snowboard Team and also The Squamish Minor Hockey Association. Our funding this year did represent a good cross section of organizations and communities," Madden said.
"Sometimes there is a bit of a misconception that we fund mainly Whistler, but it truly is Sea to Sky corridor wide."
Closer to Whistler, the Spearhead Huts Society (SHS) was granted just over $30,000 to buy furniture, sleeping and hiking equipment, as well as safety equipment and program supplies for the Mischa Arnott Alpine Youth Room in the Kees and Claire Memorial Spearhead Hut.
"The WB foundation grants were very helpful to us and the project and we will continue to apply for future funding for other elements of the [Kees and Claire] hut and the overall project as we add the needed components and amenities [like] water and solar," said SHS chair Jayson Faulkner.
"WB Foundation has been a great partner with their confidence and support over the years. "
Other Whistler recipients included Arts Whistler ($28,000 for an upgrade to the theatre sound system at the Maury Young Arts Centre), the Whistler Mountain Ski Club ($25,000 for a gym renovation and fitness studio project), Whistler Search and Rescue ($25,000 to help buy a new truck), Zero Ceiling ($25,000 to assist with housing) and the Whistler Adaptive Sports Program (just over $8,000 for sit ski equipment).
"The grant from [the WBF] is of enormous benefit, and ultimately makes it possible for us to keep developing our programs and having a facility for athletes to train to the highest levels of their sport," said Whistler Mountain Ski Club executive director Mark Tilston, adding that the total cost of the project is about $50,000.
"Most of the work has been completed, and the remaining renovations should be complete by spring, in time to be able to use the facilities for the summer training."
To the north, the X'etolacw Community School in Mount Currie received $11,100 to help build a structure for outdoor education, while the Pemberton and District Museum and Archives Society and Pemberton Valley Trails Association both got about $6,000.
Also receiving grants were Pemberton Secondary School, the Alzheimer Society of B.C., BC Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Pickleball Squamish, The Whistler Sailing Association, Skate Sea2Sky Club, the Whistler Nordics Ski Club, Simon Fraser University, Spring Creek Community School, Spud Valley Nordic Association, and the Whistler Skating Club.
The foundation also matched all Whistler Blackcomb employee donations to the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation Environmental Fund, which supports environmental projects in the Sea to Sky corridor.
"When we assess the applications that come in, we definitely follow our mandate to help improve the lives of residents in the Sea to Sky corridor," Madden said.
"We focus on the areas of health, human services, education, recreation, arts and culture and the environment with a focus placed on youth and family programs."
Since 1992, the WBF has awarded more than $14 million in grants.
Its next major fundraiser is the TELUS Winter Classic on March 6 and 7.
Find more details at www.whistlerblackcombfoundation.com.
