Project Investment:

• Island Coastal Economic Trust: $40,000
• Total Budget: $160,000

Project Highlight:

The Heart by Campbell River Community Foundation (CRCF) is a 1,361 sq/ft dynamic professional commercial co-working space that will be a hub for collaboration, innovation, and collective prosperity in the Campbell River region.

Fulfilling a need not currently met in the region, the space will support collaboration, productivity, and professional connection among nonprofits, social enterprises, remote workers, and small businesses.

By owning the space and activating the surplus area for community use, the Campbell River Community Foundation will reduce future operating costs while generating new revenue to support its charitable mission. The Heart will enable the Foundation to expand its direct support to nonprofits, enrich community economic wellbeing, and build a central and inclusive place where local initiatives can grow and succeed.

Renovations will reconfigure the existing layout to support hybrid work and multi-use programming. Furniture, fixtures, and equipment such as sit-stand desks, modular meeting tables, seating, printers, audiovisual systems, and secure storage will be procured to equip the space for coworking users, private office tenants, and event or workshop rentals.

The Trust is investing in The Heart through it’s Capital and Innovation Program, in line with the Investment Priority of Entrepreneurs & Local Businesses.

Wellbeing Impact

The Trust invests in projects using a Wellbeing Impact Framework that looks beyond traditional economic metrics. This approach evaluates how each investment strengthens economic prosperity, cultural vitality, climate resilience, and social empowerment. By focusing on outcomes that matter to people and place, the Trust works to spur new investments that create meaningful, lasting benefits across Vancouver Island and the coast.

The Heart will enable CRCF to expand its direct support to nonprofits, enrich community economic wellbeing, and build a central and inclusive place where local initiatives can grow and succeed.

Economic Prosperity 

The project will contribute to economic prosperity through:

• Supporting 15 local businesses and non-profit organizations through access to workspace, programming, and connections
• Enabling the growth of two local businesses and three social enterprises
• Six partnerships that will strengthen delivery and outcomes, including:
  – Space activation and referrals (City of Campbell River, Community Futures Entrepreneur Fund)
  – Technology enablement (Izco Technology Solutions)
  – Programming and community access (other local community partners)
• Opportunities for increased participation in the regional economy

Social Empowerment

The project will promote social empowerment with:

• Increased access to workspaces
• Reduced costs for entrepreneurs and non-profits

Cultural Vitality

The project will strengthen cultural vitality by:

• Providing a collaborative and inclusive multipurpose space for diverse grounds to work, learn, and connect.
• Hosting workshops, presentations, and events led by local organizations.