The Cortes Community Foundation got its legs in 2021 after joining Community Foundations of Canada. It was then certified by the Canada Revenue Agency as a charitable organization, opening the door for deeper community engagement. 

Vice-president Mark Spevakow feels the organization can now do more on the ground to help fuel needed resources. He’s ambitious about the CCF’s prospects this year. The organization's operating budget was $50,000 in 2021 and Spevakow is confident that can double to $100,000 this year.

In small communities, volunteer driven organizations form to voice and deliver social services. 

With feet on the ground, these nonprofit organizations raise funds to deliver help and raise awareness that address local needs, beyond limited existing government support. There are more than 20 on Cortes Island.

Community foundations work as umbrella organizations, canvassing local citizens and their community organizations to determine where help is needed. 

Once charitable, the primary task is to use donations to establish an endowment fund which is invested to build equity. The principle is never touched, only the interest made through the endowment’s investments, which fund annual operations. 

Cortes Community Foundation director Mark Spevakow speaks about the accelerated change underway for the CCF with CKTZ News.