The Community Foundation of PEI and the Institute of Island Studies at UPEI are hosting a series of Vital Conversations with Prince Edward Island residents to collect insights regarding well-being and quality of life.

We know that people living on Prince Edward Island (PEI) share a legacy of coming together during hard times to build a stronger foundation for a vibrant future. As we emerge from the past several years of the COVID-19 pandemic, the recent post-tropical storm Fiona, and confront current pressing social and economic challenges, we believe that the same legacy holds the key to our collective recovery and growth.

Vital Conversations will help focus on what people living on PEI feel is important for their well-being and quality of life, especially as they emerge from the uncertainties of a pandemic and the aftermath of a post-tropical storm. What did we learn about well-being and island life during and following the pandemic and Fiona? How did we work well together? How do we prepare for the future, so we are better equipped for the next emergency? Vital Conversations are an effective tool to bolster community engagement and well-being, as they provide an opportunity to connect local organizations and resources and build new relationships that inspire action.

We think it is important for everyone on PEI to engage in Vital Conversations to identify which aspects of well-being are important to them and then determine what they can do to improve the measures within that area. The key is to identify measures of well-being that resonate and are amenable to policy and practice interventions – by individuals, organizations, communities, and government – that foster civic engagement, community vitality, and an overall sense of belonging.

During these town hall conversations, the Institute of Island Studies will share findings from its current Project Well-Being research which provides insight and data from the community regarding quality of life on PEI. Initial findings indicate that PEI has many solid well-being attributes and is clearly a good place to live, work, and play. However, the study also demonstrates that we have work to do to ensure that all people on PEI feel included in their communities and have opportunities for a full and abundant life.

Vital Conversations will be held in-person across PEI in the following sessions (locations subject to change):

• Mill River – Wednesday, May 17 – Mill River Resort – 6:30pm
• Summerside – Thursday, May 18 – Credit Union Place – 6:30pm
• Charlottetown – Wednesday, May 24 – Location TBA – 6:30pm
• Stratford – Thursday, May 25 – Lone Oak Fox Meadow – 6:30pm
• Souris – Tuesday, May 30 – Fiddling Fisherman Lookout – 6:30pm
• Montague – Wednesday, May 31 – Kingswood Centre (56 Crescent Lane, Montague PE) – 6:30pm
• Wellington (français) – mercredi 7 juin – Village musical acadien – 18h30
• Cavendish – Cavendish Visitor Information Centre – Date & Time TBA

To participate in one of the sessions, please register below.

The Doug Dennis Outstanding Public Service Award is intended to provide recognition to an individual or group that works for the Provincial Government and has made an outstanding contribution to the residents and Government of PEI. To learn more about the award and/or to nominate or apply, click the button below!

Scholarships and Community Grants are now available to accept applications from Island students & organizations! Applications will only be accepted via our Scholarships & Community Grant application portals until May 1st at midnight.

For answers to frequently asked questions, access to each portal as well as important dates – visit the Scholarship and/or Community Grant pages by clicking on the buttons below!

The Community Impact Fund was established as an endowment to provide annual granting in support of the PEI community’s most pressing needs and priorities now and in the future.  On an annual basis, the CFPEI Board of Directors determines the most pressing needs and priorities for the use of the annual granting capacity.

ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY
The focus of the 2023 Community Impact Fund will be in support of Environment & Sustainability.  Specifically, the 2023 granting will support projects/programs which encourage individuals to change their attitudes, lifestyles and actions to collectively minimize environmental impact and to build sustainable practices.  Environmental and sustainable projects/programs include, but are not limited to, those that address climate change and its impacts; promote a circular economy, and/or utilize commercial agriculture adaptation strategies.  Develop your best ideas to help our environment and create sustainability!

The fund is currently estimated to grant $25,000 back our Island communities, in the form of multiple micro-grants up to $5,000 per recipient organization. 

Community Foundation of PEI grants $160,000 to local women, girls, Two-Spirit and Gender-Diverse-led and serving organizations!

Community Foundation of PEI is announcing funding totaling $160,000 to 6 local organizations.  Blooming House Women’s Shelter, East Prince Women’s Information Centre, Girl Guides of Canada NB-PEI, Native Council of PEI, Peers Alliance and Voluntary Resource Council, are leading initiatives to support women, girls, Two-Spirit and gender-diverse individuals working towards a future grounded in equity, inclusion and justice. The funding is through the Fund for Gender Equality (the Fund). This initiative is part of a partnership with Community Foundations of Canada funded through the Government of Canada. Community Foundation of PEI is one of 21 local community foundations from coast to coast to coast that are taking part. In total, these community foundations are granting over $3.4Mtowards the gender equality movement.

“We are thrilled to support these 6 organizations who are working on the ground to advance gender equality in our community,” said Emma Bourgeois, Community Foundation of PEI (CFPEI) Marketing & Granting Manager. “Investing in their work and this movement is key to supporting women who have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. We can work towards a just recovery by tackling systemic issues like racism, wage inequality, and gender-based violence. Along with the other 20 participating community foundations, we are committed to creating lasting systems-change in philanthropy, by writing gender equality into our investment practices and organizational policies. As the year progresses, we look forward to sharing more about this journey.”

Community Foundation of PEI has funded organizations at the “heart” of the women’s movement, with a focus on those that have demonstrated a long-term commitment to empowering women, girls, Two-Spirit, and gender-diverse people through their mission, activities, or partnerships. This funding spans a variety of purposes, including efforts to pilot new initiatives, to address long-standing community needs, or to support a just recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiatives themselves may touch on a wide range of areas that are affected by gender equality, including food insecurity, income inequality, racial injustice, domestic violence, and many more. In particular, the Fund prioritizes initiatives that are ‘self-led’—those that are led by the same groups that they focus on serving. 

“Community organizations led by and dedicated to supporting women, girls, gender-diverse and Two-Spirit individuals are at the center of the movement towards gender equality and equity,” said Andrea Dicks, Community Foundations of Canada (CFC) President. “While this can feel daunting at times, these organizations demonstrate tenacity, resiliency and hope as they shift power. To create communities of true belonging and to recover from the pandemic, we must advance gender equality across the country. We’re grateful for the financial support from the Government of Canada and the leadership of Community Foundation of PEI for taking part in these efforts.” 

For more information about CFPEI funding opportunities or general inquiries, please contact us by email at info@cfpei.ca or by phone at 902-892-3440.

Spring 2023 Applications Open Now!

The PEI Wildlife Conservation Fund Committee is now accepting project applications for Spring 2023 – the application deadline is February 10th, 2023 at 5:00 pm.

INFO SESSION
The PEI WCF will host an information session for Island organizations who wish to learn more about how to apply to the PEI Wildlife Conservation Fund for the Spring 2023 round of funding. Interested individuals can register by visiting https://peiwcf.eventbrite.ca. Attendees will learn how to use the new online application portal, relevant dates and deadlines as well as what to expect throughout the process from application through to final reports.

Proposed projects must demonstrate a benefit to wildlife on Prince Edward Island. Projects should fit into one of the five work priority categories:

1. Habitat restoration or enhancement – must contribute to the improvement of wildlife habitat in river, upland or wetland ecosystems
2. Natural areas – must contribute to the improvement or expansion of designated natural areas for wildlife in PEI
3. Education – must contribute to a better understanding and/or appreciation of wildlife among a segment of the Island public
4. Research and monitoring – must contribute to our knowledge of wildlife or wildlife habitat in PEI
5. Other – must have value for wildlife or wildlife habitat in PEI

Applications must be submitted online through the Community Foundation of PEI’s portal. For more information about the application process and access to the portal, visit the PEI WCF website at www.peiwcf.ca.

For additional information contact the PEI WCF Administrator:
The Community Foundation of PEI
Phone: 902-892-3440
E-mail: info@peiwcf.ca

The Community Foundation of PEI, in partnership with the United Way of PEI and the Canadian Red Cross in PEI,  is pleased to be part of the roll out of the Community Services Recovery Fund (CSRF) in Prince Edward Island!

The Community Services Recovery Fund is a $400 million investment from the Government of Canada to support charities and non-profits as they focus on how to adapt their organizations from pandemic recovery. Now more than ever, charities and non-profits are playing a key role in addressing persistent and complex social problems faced by all communities. The Community Services Recovery Fund (CSRF) responds to what charities and non-profits need right and supports organizations as they adapt to the long-term impacts of the pandemic.

The Community Services Recovery Fund is now open for applications through to February 21^st, 2023.  

For more information about the Community Services Recovery Fund, eligible organizations, criteria, answers to frequently asked questions and various resources, please visit www.communityservicesrecoveryfund.ca/.

If organizations would like further assistance after reviewing the information and resources found on the page linked above, they are encouraged to email communityinnovator@peiunitedway.com. 

Charitable tax receipts for qualifying donations made in 2022 have been processed and issued.

Those that have email addresses on file here at the Foundation will have received their receipts by email, those that do not, will receive them by Canada Post at the mailing address on file here at the Foundation.

Please note that donations made through the Canada Helps donation portal, would have been receipted at the time of the donation directly from the portal.

If your email or mailing address information has changed and needs to be updated, please contact CFPEI Finance Coordinator, Megan Simpson by email at msimpson@cfpei.ca or by phone at 902-892-3440 as soon as possible.

For general Community Foundation of PEI questions please contact us by email at info@cpfei.ca or by phone at 902-892-3440.

The new Charlottetown Library Learning Centre is currently completing its setup in its new location on the ground floor of the Dominion Building at the corner of Richmond and Queen Streets in Charlottetown, with an opening to be announced very soon. Community Foundation of PEI is proud to assist wit the public fundraising program in support of the new facility, public donations can be made here.

The Community Foundation of PEI recently served as an advisor for Clay Appell, a student who was completing his Masters in Island Studies at the Institute of Island Studies at UPEI.

As part of the course, the student was asked to do a research project and the topic was “Development of a Digital Nomad Strategy for PEI”.

The Final Report can be found HERE!

Special thanks to Clay for including us in this project!