FORT ST. JOHN - The City of Fort St. John is investing $910,000 into the North Peace Community Foundation, using legacy funds connected to BC Hydro’s Site C dam project.
City officials say the contribution marks the second installment of Site C-related funding and is aimed at creating long-term benefits for the community by supporting local non-profit organizations through an endowment model.
Mayor Lilia Hansen says the investment is about turning a major industrial project into lasting local impact.
“This is about making sure the benefits from Site C continue to support Fort St. John well into the future,” Hansen said. “By investing through the community foundation, we’re creating something that will serve local priorities for generations.”
The funding will be held by the North Peace Community Foundation, which manages endowment funds and distributes annual grants to non-profit groups across the region.
Tracey Wolsey, chair of the foundation’s board, says the city’s contribution represents a significant step in building a stable, community-driven source of funding.
“This is a milestone for the foundation,” Wolsey said. “An endowment of this size helps ensure we can provide consistent, long-term support to the non-profits that play such an important role in the North Peace.”
The North Peace Community Foundation was established in 2021 to steward Site C legacy funds and support local initiatives.
In addition to endowment funds, the foundation also manages a spend-down fund that will distribute money to non-profits over time.
City officials say investing through the foundation allows Fort St. John to take a long-term approach to Site C legacy funding, maximizing its impact for future generations in the region