FortisBC is committed to supporting the communities we serve. Our community investment program allows the Company to connect with customers and employees through a variety of local initiatives focused on our community investment pillars of safety, environment, aboriginal and education.

Rotary Club of Kelowna

The Company was honoured to be recognized in 2008 by the Rotary Club of Kelowna, when it awarded FortisBC the Paul Harris Fellowship Award for outstanding community support. This marked the first time that Rotary Club of Kelowna has presented this prestigious award to a corporate entity rather than an individual.

FortisBC has made a five-year partnership commitment to the Rotary Club of Kelowna since 2007 as the title sponsor for the Club’s annual charity golf tournament.  During the first three years of FortisBC’s involvement, the Club has raised over $250,000. for worthwhile projects and causes that have a positive impact in the community.

Community Donations and Sponsorships

Through donations and sponsorships, FortisBC supports grassroots initiatives and leadership recognition programs that actively benefit the communities in which the Company operates. In 2009, FortisBC supported more than 200 initiatives. The following are just some of the organizations and projects we supported in 2009:

  • Crescent Valley Volunteer Fire Department,
  • Slocan River Streamkeepers
  • Castlegar Committee Ducks Unlimited
  • Greenwood Improvement Society
  • Rossland Golden City Days
  • Osoyoos Desert Society
  • Kelowna YMCA Healthy Kids Day
  • Village of Midway Volunteer Appreciation Day
  • Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Alliance Meadowlark Festival
  • Summerland Community Excellence Awards Gala
  • Penticton Chamber of Commerce’s Excellence Awards
  • Kelowna Civic and Community Awards
  • Kootenay Association for Science and Technology’s Spirit of Innovation Conference
  • Friends of the Trail & District Public Library

Aboriginal Partnerships

In 2009, FortisBC provided support to a number of First Nations initiatives, including a training program for First Nations youth, a traditional pow wow, the 2009 National Conference on Aboriginal Economic Development, a traditional village by Penticton Indian Band members at the annual Penticton Peach Festival, the Osoyoos Indian Band grand opening of their Youth Centre and the Lower Similkameen Indian Band Community Pit House Project.

Employee Donations Program

The Company strongly supports the active involvement of employees in the communities where they live and work. In 2009, financial support was provided to 30 different organizations where our employees volunteered their time as coaches, instructors, and other leadership roles. FortisBC employees organized several fundraising activities throughout the year, raising money for various charitable organizations including the BC Children’s Hospital, the Salvation Army, the Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital’s HOUR Kids and Baby Steps campaign, the Kelowna & Oliver Food Bank, and the Kelown Cancer Clinic.