August B.C. Roundup: Emergency response grant for non-profits helping wildfire evacuees; investing in local food systems

As the first B.C. round-up for Future of Good, I wish I could open with something lighter.

Over the past week, close to 20,000 people were ordered to leave their homes across the province — most of them from Summerland and Peachland — after the Bald Range wildfire exploded from roughly 50 to more than 21,000 hectares in a matter of days. As of this weekend, re-entry is happening in phases, which is great news — however, the fire is still out of control, and for many, there’s simply nothing to return to.

(For non-profit leaders: The United Way of British Columbia has created an emergency response grant for non-profits supporting those impacted.)

I’ve lived in the unceded Syilx and Okanagan region for six years; wildfire season isn’t new to me. But for some reason, every year hits a little differently. Maybe because Summerland and Peachland are only half an hour from where I reside and work. Or maybe because I’ve been talking to more leaders across the social impact sector who are pausing a lot of their work to shift, stretch, and reprioritize where their mission and focus sit this month.

If you’ve read my stuff before, you’ll know I say the word “connective tissue” a lot. And if you know most of B.C., you’ll know our lifestyle runs on orchards, wineries, local food, and weekend farmers markets (Kelowna became the first Canadian city recognized by UNESCO for food and dining this year for a reason).

This is one of the most food-abundant regions in the country, and food insecurity keeps rising anyway. Climate pressure, affordability, and demand on food banks were already straining a system that, on paper, should have more than enough to go around. Now add wildfire season on top of it.

But the response has matched the moment — farmers getting backed by everyday investors, food banks turning into regional hubs, communities showing up for each other fast, and leaders in the sector doing very un-thinkable things. I think that’s what is beautiful about the social good sector. For every sad devastation, the resiliency is loud because people rise up.

So this round-up is both: the wins worth celebrating from across B.C. this month, and where to help if you’re able to.

Stories Worth Celebrating

“Invest in the Future of Local Food” 

Fair Finance Fund and the Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen have structured financing for a 25,000-square-foot agri-food facility bringing cold storage, processing, and distribution to South Okanagan farmers — with everyday Canadians able to invest directly in it through a new Goparity partnership. Worth noting: this is the same region now affected by the Bald Range fire. 

Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen | June 29, 2026

“Central Okanagan Food Bank launches $5.5M campaign to transform the local food system” 

A new Food Rescue and Transformation Centre will turn the Central Okanagan Food Bank (COFB) into a full regional hub with an ambitious fundraising goal to tackle food insecurity — now doing double duty as the region navigates wildfire displacement too. 

Castanet.net | June 5, 2026

“‘We’ve been here for 10,000 years’: Okanagan Indian Band ‘getting stronger everyday’ amid devastating wildfire.” 

The Bradley Creek wildfire ignited on OKIB reserve lands near Vernon on July 31, forcing a full evacuation and destroying more than 30 members’ homes. But the response has been its own story: the band’s own fire department worked alongside provincial crews from day one, and other syilx Okanagan Nation Alliance communities, including Penticton Indian Band and Westbank First Nation, opened their doors to evacuees and sent support. The fire is now classified as held, some evacuation orders have been rescinded, and naspəpʕásəs Dan Wilson says the community’s resilience is carrying it through.

IndigiNews | August 6, 2026

Voices & Organizations to Know

Nawalakw Healing Society. K’odi Nelson and the Nawalakw team are building an Indigenous-led healing centre, culture camp and social venture at Kingcome Inlet, grounded in language revitalization and land-based learning.

Sandown Centre for Regenerative Agriculture — Under Emily Harris’s leadership on southern Vancouver Island, Sandown lost its longtime funding from the District of North Saanich Agricultural Reserve Fund this year. However, on the pursuit of a food secure future, Harris still grew its programming, powered by partnerships, earned revenue, diversified grants, and bold decisions questioning some of the status quos. A real story in non-profit resilience, detailed in their latest impact report.

Métis Life & Natoona. Joshua Nilson’s free Roblox game teaches Métis culture and Michif language through play, while Caedmon Kovacs’s Natoona connects Indigenous students with scholarship funding — no paywalls, no gatekeeping.

News You Should Know About

New, First Nations-led guidance sets baseline expectations for Reconciliation Action Plans in B.C.

UBCIC, RRII, and West Coast Environmental Law released baseline expectations for credible corporate RAPs in B.C., pushing back on performative commitments. 

UBCIC / RRII | June 19, 2026

ZEIC Report Recognizes Local Startups as ‘Notable Stars’ in Clean Energy Transition

A new report from the Zero Emissions Innovation Centre finds Metro Vancouver has the assets to lead in the global energy transition — cheap clean power, a top port, strong universities — but hasn’t yet connected that to a real economic strategy, risking falling behind on export and investment opportunities others are moving faster on. 

Techcouver.com | August 12, 2026

In B.C. This Autumn? Check out these in-person events:

• Aug. 23–25, Victoria — Victoria Forum 2026: Trust, Justice and Wellbeing, hosted with the Senate of Canada, UVic, and Royal Roads University. Details
• Sept. 15–17, Kelowna — Community Foundations of Canada’s Connecting in Community, Influencing Change Learning Institute. Details here.
• Sept. 17, Terrace — Vantage Point’s BC Non-Profit Network Northwest B.C. Leaders Gathering, a day of sector data, advocacy updates, and a workshop on non-profit collaboration models. Register
• Oct. 20, Okanagan — Region of Plenty: Okanagan Food Summit. The Central Okanagan Food System Collaborative is bringing together people from across the regional food system to explore how a food-abundant region can ensure everyone benefits from that abundance. Designed as a working session rather than a traditional conference, participants will identify shared challenges, opportunities and actions across food production, infrastructure and distribution, food security, local food economies, and sustainability. Registration link will be coming soon. 
• Oct. 26–Dec. 1, virtual — Impact United Academy and the Fireweed Institute’s Peer Learning Circle on Investing in Indigenous Communities and Economies, a six-session series for asset owners and capital allocators (limited to 15 participants). Register

If You’re Looking to Help the B.C. Wildfires

• Canadian Red Cross 2026 British Columbia Wildfires Appeal — redcross.ca or 1-800-418-1111
• Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen’s SOS Wildfire Response Fund — supporting Summerland and area evacuees, 100% local. Donate
• Community Foundation North Okanagan’s Wildfire Response 2026 Fund — supporting Vernon-area evacuees and rebuilding, including Okanagan Indian Band members; a direct OKIB Fund is also available. Donate · OKIB Fund
• BC Evacuee Helpline — 1-800-387-4258, for registration and emergency supports

Know a B.C. story that belongs in the next round-up in October? 

• Send an email to me at bcimpact@futureofgood.co
• Tag me on LinkedIn