Fall Neighbourhood Small Grants: community members taking care of each other during uncertain times

We are thrilled to announce the fall round of Neighbourhood Small Grants, a diverse range of inspiring and compassionate project ideas enabling west coasters to take care of each other while protecting the health and safety of all community members. Magic happens when neighbours connect—even if we must be physically apart. It forms friendships, makes our communities safer and more vibrant. The Neighbourhood Small Grants (NSG) program helps residents of any age, experience, or background take part in building community.

This round of funding includes a special contribution from the District of Tofino to support Tofino-based projects, as well as contributions from MakeWay (previously Tides Canada) to support project applications taking a grassroots approach to food security. As always, we're grateful for our partner Westcoast Community Resources Society for helping us deliver this initiative.

Check out the creative ideas of the 23 successful applicants below!  

Leader: Margaret Thomas
Project: Ginger Bread Houses in Opitsaht – brightening the holidays for the 56 kids of Opitsaht by hosting three covid-safe bubble evenings of ginger bread house making

Leader: Leanne Charlie
Project: Ginger Bread Houses in Ty Histanis and Esowista - giving as many families as possible Ginger Bread kits to due in the safety of there own homes

Leader: Catherine Thicke and Alysson Thicke
Project: Helping our Health Care Heroes at Tofino General Hospital - help refresh the healthcare worker’s break room at the Tofino General Hospital, which hasn’t been revamped in 15 years

Leader: John Sweeney and Selena Rogalski
Project: Pacific Rim Queer Alliance - Art night that would allow for people to come together in a safe space as initial step in furthering the representation and involvement of queer people in our communities

Leader: Katherine Loiselle
Project: Christmas Cheer Baskets – local kids create "cheer" packages for some of the seniors in Ucluelet that include decorations, cards and notes, Christmas centrepieces, cookies, and other small gifts

Leader: Kevin Bradshaw
Project: Ucluelet Harbour Marine Debris Removal - organizing and moving the debris sea plane base where Surfrider Pac Rim Youth Club will organize, collect data and load it into volunteer trucks and taken to the local landfill where Surfrider can recycle as much as possible

Leader: Mark Frank-Perry
Project: Learning about Ahousaht Traditional Territory and sign refurbish - youth and young adults will go into traditional territory to learn bout where we come from and refurbish some of our traditional territory signage that was placed many years ago

Leader: Laurie Filgiano
Project: Ucluetian or Ukeeleles - short, light hearted 5 min video to lift the spirit of the town and bring people together via social media, embracing our mutual love for Ucluelet

Leader: Zoe Ludwig
Project: CHRISTMAS CHEER – Zoe will be spreading some Christmas cheer in her neighbourhood this holiday season by decorating all the lamp posts on her street with Christmas wreaths and ribbon

Leader: April Robson
Project: For the Love of Bees – building local bee-keeping capacity through training and purchasing of bee-keeping equipment in Tofino while nurturing local bees and filming the process for sharing via the Tofino Community Food Initiative YouTube and social media pages

Leader: Sophie L'Homme
Project: Tofino Christmas Singing Quartet - 4 local female professional singers that will gather once or twice a week to rehearse a cappella Christmas songs then go around town and sing our carols with masks on ... and respecting social distancing

Leader: Lauren Howard-Tripp
Project: Community Children's Poetry Book- printing of a poetry book created by Ukee kids to be shared with vulnerable, isolated, or lonely community members as well as neighbours, family and friends

Leader: Faye Missar
Project: Bring in the light - Candle-making for kids – a “crafternoon” for six kids in the same class in Ukee to make beeswax candles that they will share with and older adult in their lives (e.g. parent, older neighbour)

Leader: Johanna Dahl
Project: Cookie Exchange – adaptation of Johanna’s popular Ukee holiday cookie exchange (open to any community member) to make sure ukee residents can bake and share holiday treats in a Covid-safe way

Leader: Jennifer Price-Francis and Kimi Henderson
Project: Early Learners Food Security Garden - help kids understand where food comes from, how incredible nature is and set the roots for understanding food security as our little gardeners grow into the next generation of growers

Leader: Paula Robertson
Project: Language in our Garden – create a story book that celebrates the seasons of harvesting traditional and settler foods in the Clayoquot Sound area with words in both Nuu-chah-nulth and English

Leader: Cindy Hutchison
Project: Piecing Together A Holiday Gift - piecing together a holiday gift from the heart to all the students at the Wickaninnish Community school and wider community in general

Leader: Erin Kostashuk
Project: Goals & Productivity Workshop – answering questions like: Where does she find the time?  How does he do it all?  How can I motivate myself?  What should I be doing with my life?

Leader: Elizabeth and Annie George
Project: Dream catchers – Elizabeth and Annie will be leading workshops to make dream catchers earring again (she did it in the past and it was a total hit), this time with an online offering

Leader: Leah Austin
Project: Hatching Chicks, the essentials – purchasing an incubator, brooder, lights, food and water dispensers, as well as provide an instructional video on how to use it for west coasters wanting to hatch their own chicks from eggs

Leader: Loesha Newmeyer
Project: Cards, Chakras & Crystals Made Fun for Kids - This is an introductory level of Chakras, Crystals and cards for children ages 5-12 years old

Leader: Marlo Firme and Trina Mattson
Project: Wlidflower/ Pollination Seed Sowing in Ahousaht - spread wildflower/pollination seeds around the high school and elementary school fields and common areas outside to encourage our bee and butterfly populations, help the school gardens, food plants, and home gardens in the community

Leader: Markus Klann and Mike Collyer
Project: Kvarno community emergency preparedness – establish an emergency plan and build a shelter on the high ground of Kvarno Island, a small boat access community that is currently highly vulnerable to Tsunami risk

Reflections from Illuminate 2025: A Gathering of Shared Purpose and Bold Ideas

July 3, 2025
This past May, members of our staff and board had the privilege of attending Illuminate 2025, the national biennial conference hosted by Community Foundations of Canada, which was held in Kjipuktuk (Halifax), Nova Scotia, on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq people. More than just a conference, it was a powerful gathering of community foundations from across the country, a space for meaningful connection, shared learning, and lasting inspiration.

Janessa Dornstauder reflects on her community leadership journey

June 19, 2025
Janessa Dornstauder is a settler who is grateful to call Ucluelet her home. Through her work with the Clayoquot Biosphere Trust (CBT), Janessa builds partnerships between the diverse groups and communities in the region to achieve common biodiversity conservation goals. She recently graduated from the Leadership Vancouver Island West Coast program, and she reflects on her journey in this blog post. Read more!

Announcing the Spring 2025 Green/Youth Neighbourhood Small Grants

June 19, 2025
We’re excited to share this list of grassroots community projects that received a Green/Youth Neighbourhood Small Grants (NSG) this past spring cycle. A total of 19 projects were funded in the region! NSG makes empowering, accessible opportunities for residents from all demographics to make their communities more inclusive and vibrant places to live. Check out the blog below to learn more about the projects from the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Region NSG program.

Deepening Connections: Reflections on the 2025 BC Biosphere Gathering

June 16, 2025
This past May, the CBT hosted the 4th annual BC Biosphere Gathering in our home region. Each year, this gathering brings together partners from British Columbia’s three UNESCO-designated biosphere regions, Clayoquot Sound, Mount Arrowsmith, and Átl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound, for a multi-day opportunity to connect, collaborate, and grow stronger together as a network.

Art as Reconciliation: The Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Centre’s Art Program

May 23, 2025
Nestled in the heart of the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Region, a transformative initiative from the Clayoquot Biosphere Trust (CBT) is redefining the role of public art in cultural renewal, place-making, and reconciliation. The Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Centre (CSBC), currently under development in Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations territory, is envisioned as a knowledge hub for education, research, and reconciliation. At the core of this vision is a groundbreaking Arts Program, one that doesn’t just decorate a space but infuses the region with meaning. 

Province of British Columbia Invests $1 Million in Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Centre to Advance Rural Economic Development

May 22, 2025
he Clayoquot Biosphere Trust (CBT) is proud to announce a $1 million contribution from the Province of British Columbia through the Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP). This major investment signals provincial confidence in the transformative potential of the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Centre, a $17 million facility now in the construction documentation phase in Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation territory, envisioned as a regional hub for learning, innovation, and sustainable development. 

More Than a Designation: Honouring nuučaan̓uł (Nuu-chah-nulth) Stewardship

May 14, 2025
We’re celebrating the 25th anniversary of the UNESCO biosphere designation, when the efforts of West Coast residents towards a sustainable future were recognized as being globally significant. However, the vitality of this place and the power of its people long predate the UNESCO designation. This place is exceptional thanks to the enduring nuučaan̓uł advocacy for interconnected rights, title, and environmental stewardship.

Clayoquot Biosphere Trust Receives Transformational $1.2M Gift from the Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation

February 3, 2025
The Clayoquot Biosphere Trust (CBT) is honored to announce a generous $1.2 million philanthropic investment from the Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation, marking a significant milestone in bringing the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Centre (CSBC) to life. This remarkable gift highlights our shared commitment to strengthening communities, advancing reconciliation, and fostering environmental stewardship.

Celebrating Community: Our Most Successful Holiday Giving Campaign Yet!

January 14, 2025
This past December, the Clayoquot Biosphere Trust (CBT) collaborated with 23 local charities to promote our shared giving platform, with the goal of standing together to strengthen local communities and ecosystems. Throughout the month, participating charitable organizations helped amplify the initiative by sharing it through their communication channels. Meanwhile, donors explored causes they cared about and supported the region's diverse needs through the Holiday Giving Catalogue.

Join the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Centre Local Trades Fair! (PDF) 11.38 MB

January 9, 2025
Join the Biosphere Centre Local Trades Fair! We are actively seeking local contractors and tradespeople for various aspects of construction, with a strong emphasis on mass timber construction, sustainable building practices, local material procurement, Indigenous engagement and participation and workforce development and training. Collaborate on this project to make a lasting community impact by contributing to a transformative facility that honors local First Nations and prioritizes sustainable building practices. Click here for more details!

Announcing the Fall 2024 Culture Neighbourhood Small Grants

January 9, 2025
We’re excited to share this list of grass-roots community projects that received a Culture Neighbourhood Small Grants (NSG) this past fall cycle. A total of 19 projects were funded in the region! Read more about the projects below from the Clayoquot Sound NSG program.

Giving Season is Here: Join the Clayoquot Biosphere Trust in Making a Difference

December 9, 2024
As the holiday season draws near, the spirit of generosity and compassion invites us to embrace the timeless tradition of giving. For those of us living on the beautiful west coast, this time of year serves as a reminder of the supportive communities and vibrant ecosystems we cherish. While we often celebrate the visible aspects of our region, we must also recognize the passionate social and environmental charities tirelessly working to uphold the vitality of the local landscapes and communities. 

Ucluelet Co-op and FCL Donate $300,000 to the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Centre

December 3, 2024
Ucluelet Co-op and Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) are pleased to announce a joint donation of $300,000 to the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Centre in Tofino, British Columbia. Ucluelet Co-op and FCL will each contribute $150,000 to this groundbreaking and innovative community project that will see the establishment of the Co-op Community Teaching Kitchen within the Centre.

What does the Living Wage mean to you?

November 19, 2024
With help from Living Wage BC, we’ve calculated the west coast’s living wage for 2024. Across the province and the country, living wages have increased in recent years, mainly because of the costs of rent and food.

Join the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Centre Local Trades Fair! (PDF) 7.72 MB

November 15, 2024
Join the Biosphere Centre Local Trades Fair! We are actively seeking local contractors and tradespeople for various aspects of construction, with a strong emphasis on mass timber construction, sustainable building practices, local material procurement, Indigenous engagement and participation and workforce development and training. Collaborate on this project to make a lasting community impact by contributing to a transformative facility that honors local First Nations and prioritizes sustainable building practices. Click here for more details!

The Clayoquot Biosphere Trust's Regional Forum: Highlights and Insights from October 2024

November 4, 2024
On October 24, 2024, the Clayoquot Biosphere Trust brought together a mix of participants for a gathering on ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ (Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations) territory at TinWis. This gathering was all about fostering connections, sharing knowledge, and building strong, collaborative relationships. Attendees included representatives from First Nations, local governments, and organizations involved in environmental research, stewardship, restoration, and sustainable development.