Investing in non-profits for community enrichment: how the success of a local conference helps builds a stronger city

Kelowna’s thriving not-for-profit sector is a testament to the residents who make things happen. From theatre and music shows to touring conferences and sporting events, it doesn’t take much searching to find exciting opportunities to learn new skills, support social causes or build strong connections with others.

But how do we foster growth and allow this sector to really shine? What’s missing, and what needs to be done to ensure non-profit organizations can bring their visions to life? The City’s Cultural Services department tries to answer these questions through their daily work, hosting workshops, programming, and grant opportunities to help enhance our local non-profit sector. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this work became even more imperative, and staff saw a need to help more than just Kelowna’s art and culture organizations, and to help regional non-profits boost their capacity and adapt to these new challenges. This was an opportunity to build something bigger.

Answering the call

"We have always hosted an annual capacity building workshop, but it was last year that we decided to expand," said Christine McWillis, Cultural Services Manager. "The past few years have been challenging for organizations, especially with the shadow of COVID looming large.”

In 2023, with the support of Valley First, a Division of First West Credit Union the first ever REBOUND Conference was born and a mighty group of 130 participants got together to discuss how to bounce back after the pandemic and to boost their capacity to do their important community work. The response was overwhelmingly positive, as participants were able to relate through their collective struggles from all the constant changes in the world.

“We knew we had to answer the call for more,” McWillis said. “There was an obvious need for connection and support in our non-profit community, more so than ever.”

(Re)imagining the possibilities

On April 6, 2024, the conference returned. This time called REIMAGINE, the day focused on exploration, reflection and connection. The number of attendees almost doubled, as 238 community leaders, executive directors, board members and volunteers from 135 organizations across the Okanagan gathered to learn together. “This year, we saw the reach extend far beyond Kelowna, and even beyond the valley,” McWillis explained. “It really demonstrates the value and need for this type of work.”

The conference allowed attendees to learn about the topics that mattered most to them, from communications to finance and many other topics in between. The conference was as much about learning from the presenters as it was about learning from each other.

“We realized that the attendees were really craving that connection to one another, wanting to learn from each other,” said Sara Thirnbeck, Community Development Coordinator and one of the conference’s organizers. “This is one of the main takeaways that we want to elaborate on in the coming years, by expanding peer-to-peer learning opportunities.”

The success of the event was overwhelming, a testament to the hunger for knowledge and connection within the community. "The energy of 200+ non-profit leaders really gave the sense of our crucial role in our communities,” remarked one conference attendee. And they are crucial – one of the visions of the City’s 2020-2025 Cultural Plan sees a community which “invests in infrastructure, artists and non-profit organizations as a way to build character and identity.” Building the capacity and vibrancy of these organizations only makes our community brighter and fosters an engaging scene not only for our local arts organizations, but for non-profits of all kinds.

What’s next?

The success of the REIMAGINE Conference is confirmation that this is something our community needs. The work that happens to build up these organizations is key, not just for the organizations themselves, but for the residents whose lives are enriched by the programming and events they offer. The conference is set to return in 2025, setting the stage for another gathering of attendees who are united in their collective mission to effect positive change in our community.

Learn more about the REIMAGINE Conference or find more information about the City of Kelowna’s art and culture initiatives and programs at kelowna.ca/culture.

The City of Kelowna is grateful for the sponsors who made the conference possible: Valley First, a Division of First West Credit Union, Central Okanagan Foundation, The EQ Development Group and Do Gooders.