Mission Statement
Island Queers and Allies Who Care Society is an incorporated, nonprofit organization that exclusively funds 2SLGBTQIA+ projects and queer friendly initiatives on Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and Discovery Islands.
To see successful recipients go to our recipient’s tab.
Together with our allies, we are raising funds to help local groups or projects that benefit the queer (2SLGBTQIA+) communities on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. This is our way of giving back to the community as well as paying kindness forward. We wish to help local queer organizations thrive and grow. There may be broader organizations with projects that are queer-positive that could be beneficiaries too.
Allies have been instrumental in helping queer communities to exist and expand over the decades. Our collective social justice work and activism have helped many folks to gain more visibility and acceptance in society. Hence, we are called Island Queers and Allies Who Care.
Apply for Funding
The next opportunity to apply for funding will start May 15, 2025.
Applications open on May 15th and close at noon on June 15th. We are melding Q1 and Q2 donations. This is due to the sorting out of final details regarding charitable status for IQAWC.
How It Works
By combining donations from many donors we hope to give a leg up to worthy applicants. Our aim is to do this quarterly. This depends upon the amount of funds raised at different points during the year. From 2022 to 2025 an anonymous donor has agreed to match donations of up to $2000 per quarter in total to jump start Island Queers and Allies Who Care.
Donations of $20 or more will receive a charitable tax receipt. Rest assured, 100% of your donations always benefits others. We have no administrative costs or overhead. The costs of designing and maintaining our website and promotional materials have been covered.
Choosing Successful Projects
At the end of each quarter, donors who gave during that time period will have the opportunity to give our board input via e-mail for choosing the successful application. In the event that we have more than three applications for funding, our board will choose three finalists for donors to consider. Applicants will need to identify how their project positively impacts the 2SLGBTQIA+ community on Vancouver Island and/or the Gulf Islands. They must also clearly demonstrate how it directly aligns with one or two of our charitable purposes. Applicants cannot reapply for funding if they were finalists in our selection process during the previous 12 months.
Support Us
Ready to take the next step? Contribute to our cause.