About

Community Action Initiative was created to support community-led projects focusing on mental health and substance use issues in British Columbia.

CAI has a long track record in leadership and equitable granting, leveraging provincial investments to support strategic shifts in the types of services offered and innovation in how services are delivered. For over 10 years, CAI has played an integral role in BC’s MHSU system through fostering diverse, cross-sectoral initiatives that promote mental health and wellness using a “whole community” approach. With investments of $41M between 2010-2020, CAI provides grant funding and capacity building opportunities to community-based and peer-led organizations across BC to develop and implement innovative projects in alignment with provincial priorities for mental health and wellness. CAI’s granting framework encourages grant-making in a manner that respects the wisdom, power, and self-determination of equity-seeking groups across BC. Through this, CAI plays a unique role, bridging provincial government priorities and community needs. Each year, we invest a minimum of 25% of overall resources in Indigenous-led initiatives, with particular focus on geographic equity across the province.

CAI is a not-for-profit organization incorporated with the BC Societies Registrar (Society No. S0072588)

With thanks to our funder