Royal Canadian Legion
Apply For a Grant
Okanagan Falls Branch #227
How The Legion Supports Okanagan Falls
The Okanagan Falls Legion is proud to offer grant funding for a diverse range of organizations.
Application Form
There are many ways to get involved and directly help our community.
Application Criteria:
- The project has clear start and end dates
- The applicant can deliver the project
- The budget is reasonable and detailed
- The project’s objectives align with the Legion’s goals
- The project will have a noticeable impact
- If the project involves collaborating organizations, their participation has been confirmed
- If the project addresses physical or psychological needs, it has approval from an accredited institution
Be Part of Making A Difference In The Okanagan Falls Community
Volunteerism is one of The Royal Canadian Legion’s core activities. At its heart, the Okanagan Falls Legion is a grassroots organization that has its greatest impact through volunteer, community-based activities. Legionnaires comprise one of the largest volunteer bases in Canada, committing millions of volunteer hours each year.
Through our Branch membership and programs, the Legion raises funds to support those in need in Okanagan Falls. Our projects have included outreach and assistance programs for Veterans and their families, fundraising for Okanagan Falls events and organizations such as Music & Market in the Park, Heritage Museum, Parent Advisory Committee, Lions, School Food Program, Ride for Dad, Youth Education. Currently we are working to get more affordable housing in Okanagan Falls, more support for our seniors and families in need, organizing commemorative ceremonies, and promoting Remembrance. In recent crises in the Okanagan Valley, the OK Falls Legion Branch and its Members have been there to support those who have been adversely affected by these emergencies.
Additional Grants Available To Charitable Organizations
The BC/Yukon Legion Foundation offers grants to registered charities that operate in British Columbia or the Yukon. Projects must support the Legion Foundation’s mission and be at least 90% funded.
Financial assistance
The OK Falls Legion offers short-term financial assistance to veterans, retired veterans, and their families who are experiencing financial distress. Grants can be used for food, heating, clothing, prescription medication, and more. To apply, download and complete the Benevolent Fund Application form and email it using our website, or drop it off at the OK Falls Legion.
Bursaries & Scholarships
The OK Falls Legion offers bursaries through the Poppy Trust Fund to the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of veterans who need financial assistance for post-secondary education. For more information on the eligibility requirements, deadlines, and application procedures, download our form and email it using our website, or drop it off at the OK Falls Legion.
Emergency Financial Assistance
The OK Falls Legion will consider short term, emergency financial assistance requests to serving and retired Veterans and their families, or Okanagan families suffering during an emergency, who are in financial distress. Grants are available for a variety of essential living requirements such as:
- Food
- Heating
- Clothing
- Prescription medication
- Medical appliances and equipment
- Essential home repairs
- Emergency shelter or assistance
- Eligibility for financial assistance
Supporting Youth in Okanagan Falls
You may not know that the Okanagan Falls Legion also supports youth activities. Our Legion promotes Remembrance to the younger generation and works with schools and youth organizations to keep the memories of our Fallen Veterans alive. The OK Falls Legion also supports youth leadership programs and activities such as Cadets, Scouts and Guides, and youth sports, helping build the next generation of leaders.
Learn how Legion Service Officers Help Veterans
At all local Legion Branches, Branch Services Officers are volunteers who reach out to Veterans in their communities.
A Branch (volunteer) Service Officer will:
- Conduct outreach in the community to identify Veterans and their families in need
- Assist a Veteran in completing the Legion Claims Form and refer them to a Legion Command Service Officer for individual assistance
- Coordinate benevolent financial assistance through the Branch Poppy Fund
- Conduct visits to Veterans in retirement and long-term care facilities
- Refer Veterans to support and care programs as offered through the Branch and local community.
Eligible Veterans Who We Help
Please request our services if you are a member of/or have participated in:
- The Canadian Armed Forces, the Reserve Force
- The Commonwealth or its wartime allies
- A Regular Member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
- The Merchant Navy or Ferry Command during wartime
- A Peace Officer in a Special Duty Area or on a Special Duty Operation
- Or their eligible family members including:
- A spouse by marriage or common-law
- A child of a Veteran, under the age of 18 or in university or college to age 25
- A child of a Veteran, that was incapacitated prior to the age of 21 and declared dependent on the Veteran
- Client Confidentiality
The Legion puts client confidentiality first when representing Veterans.
The Royal Canadian Legion provides free, professional counselling and representation services for still-serving Canadian Armed Forces members, Veterans, RCMP members and their families regarding disability claims or related issues with Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) and the Veterans Review and Appeal Board (VRAB). Professional Command Service Officers are mandated by legislation to provide representation at all levels of the disability claim process under the Pension Act or the Veterans Well-being Act.
To do this important work for Veterans and their families, the Legion requires access to confidential client information. VAC has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Legion to maintain client confidentiality and ensure appropriate use of client information.
Access to client information is controlled and monitored by VAC and is per the Access to Information Act and Privacy Act. As defined in the MOU, VAC will grant the Legion Command Service Officers access to Veterans Affairs’s client information only on signed consent from the client authorizing access. At any time, the client may limit or cancel the Legion’s access to their file by advising any VAC office.