Beem Credit Union Invests in Community Growth with 2024 Community Investment Fund Grants

December 3, 2024

Beem Credit Union is proud to announce another investment of over $60,000 in local grants this December, empowering 7 non-profit organizations to launch or expand vital social programs across BC communities. With a total annual investment of $125,000 in 2024, provided through the Community Investment Fund, the member-owned credit union demonstrates a continued commitment to building stronger, more inclusive communities.

Since its inception in 2007, the Community Investment Fund has contributed over $2 million to support programs that foster resilience and inclusion. This year’s funding comes at a critical time as non-profits work tirelessly to meet growing community needs

“Investing in our communities is at the heart of who we are,” says Brian Harris, CEO of Beem Credit
Union. “The organizations receiving these grants are doing incredible work to bring people together, offer support to those who need it most, and create brighter futures for everyone. We’re truly honored to stand beside them and play a part in the positive change they’re making.

Grant recipients were chosen based on their potential to create lasting, wide-reaching benefits and their
alignment with Beem’s social impact priorities, which include supporting young parents, promoting mental wellness, strengthening social ties, and driving local economic growth. The 2024 beneficiaries are receiving between $2,500 and $15,000 depending on the project scope and anticipated community impact, include:

• Kelowna | Kelowna and District SHARE Society
  SHARE’s Tee Totes Project, which empowers individuals facing employment barriers through
  virtual workshops and paid contract opportunities, aligning with Beem’s commitment to
  education and a strong local economy.
  
• Lillooet | Lillooet Agriculture and Food Society
  Lillooet Grown Marketplace Social Enterprise Startup, funding upgrades to kitchen equipment and
  educational programming that promote local food, sustainable practices, and stronger
  community connections.
  
• Merritt | Merritt & Nicola Valley Crime Stoppers Society
  Proactive fraud and crime awareness campaign in Merritt and surrounding Indigenous
  communities, supporting education, security, and mental well-being with resources that promote
  lasting safety.
  
• Penticton | Penticton Recovery Resource Centre
  Funding trauma-specific training and resources for Discovery House in Penticton, expanding
  support for men’s recovery and their families; addressing the critical need for men’s mental health
  services in the Okanagan.
  
• Penticton | Community Recreational Initiatives Society (CRIS)
  CRIS South Okanagan’s purchase of tandem recumbent cycles supports their expansion of
  accessible outdoor recreation programs to the South Okanagan, promoting mental wellness by
  breaking down barriers to inclusive community activities.
  
• Vernon | Living Lakes Canada (LLC) Society
  The Foreshore Integrated Management Planning (FIMP) survey of Wood and Kalamalka Lakes
  supports the Okanagan Indian Band’s leadership in environmental stewardship and skill-building
  using modern tools and Indigenous knowledge.
  
• West Kelowna | KANDU
  Funding the expansion of KANDU offerings, an Indigenous-led peer support centre, to enhance
  services for youth and seniors, fostering intergenerational knowledge sharing through technology
  and cultural making kits to support mental wellness and education.

Beem Credit Union’s people-before-profit approach has made a meaningful difference across BC, with the
Community Investment Fund playing a central role in their commitment to social impact.
Discover how Beem’s Community Investment Fund is helping to strengthen and support those around us.