Vancity offers close to $400,000 in grants - Local groups urged to apply by September 14

Vancouver, September 4, 2009 – In these tough times for fundraising, Vancity is pleased to offer some relief and invites environmental groups in the Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley and Greater Victoria areas to apply for project funding of up to $50,000 from Vancity’s 2009/10 enviroFundTM grant program.

Due by September 14, 2009, this year’s project applications must address one or more of the following issues, selected by Vancity enviro Visa card holders:

1. Ecosystem Preservation and Restoration
2. Sustainable Agriculture
3. Consumption and Waste Reduction

enviroFund^TM grants are funded by Vancity Visa*, which donates five per cent of its annual profits from its suite of Visa card products to the program. In early 2010 a total of $398,000 – the highest annual grant sum ever – will be awarded to groups working on imaginative solutions to environmental issues in their communities. Grants range from $15,000 to $50,000.

Not-for-profit, charitable non-government organizations and co-operatives can apply using the simple, paperless, online application at www.vancity.com/envirofund. Information and criteria are available through the same link.

Since the annual enviroFund^TM program started in 1990, more than $2.3 million has been granted to more than 60 local not-for-profit organizations.

“It’s gratifying that our members can make a difference just by owning an enviro Visa card,” says Vancity Board Chair, Patrice Pratt. “These grants are one part of Vancity’s focus on communities, and the votes of our enviro Visa card holders ensure grants are used to tackle issues that matter to them.”

One of last year’s award recipients was Free Geek, a local group that gathers, rebuilds and distributes used computers. Their enviroFund grant funded two staff positions.

The Mayne Island Conservancy Society, another 2008 recipient, has moved forward with a stewardship program for an important bird habitat, as well as eelgrass bed preservation.

Other enviroFund^TM grant recipients have also included: Galiano Conservancy Association, the David Suzuki Foundation, Check Your Head: the Youth Global Education Network and the Garry Oak Ecosystem Recovery Team Society.

Media enquiries:
Further information and success stories from previous grant recipients in areas across the region are available upon request.

Media Relations, Vancity
778 837 0394
mediarelations@vancity.com

About Vancity
Vancity is Canada's largest credit union, with $14.5 billion in assets, more than 400,000 members, and 60 branches throughout Greater Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Victoria and Squamish. Vancity is guided by a commitment to improving the quality of life in the communities where we live and work.

TM Vancity enviroFund, and enviroFund are registered trademarks of Vancouver City Savings Credit Union

* Visa Int./Vancity, Licensed User.