The Jill Ackhurst Social Action Fund was created to honor a leading member of Whistler’s community who died on December 27, 2003 from cancer at the age of 57. Through local and international organizations, Jill Ackhurst dedicated herself to community development. She embodied an intelligent, hands-on approach to resolving social justice issues, especially in the Sea to Sky corridor.

The objective of the fund is to promote an awareness of issues affecting the health of all communities in the Sea to Sky corridor and to seek their solution through effective action. Each year the fund makes grants to local nonprofit organizations whose projects or programs address social issues.

Social Action is defined as taking action on a people oriented issue. The action is described as a process of: identifying, defining and prioritizing an issue(s), collecting and analyzing information and developing an action plan to address the concern, and finally, implement the action plan.

A social issue is described as being a critical concern affecting large numbers of persons in the Sea to Sky Corridor within a broad demographic range that includes children, youth, seniors, or other segments of society.

The Jill Ackhurst Social Action Advisory Committee oversees the Jill Ackhurst Social Action Grants Program.

Key Expectations for a Committee Member

  • Willing to serve a term of at least one year
  • Able to attend 3-4 meetings per year. The committee generally meets in February, March, and October.
  • Willing to work on tasks between meetings
  • Be familiar with the Foundation’s programs and general operations
  • Assist in identifying Social Issue Priorities for the Foundation
  • Participate in the creation of grant making goals or areas of priority for the grant program
  • Participate in the preparation of the guidelines for the Jill Ackhurst Social Action Grants program
  • Review and evaluate grant applications
  • Make recommendations to the board of directors for funding of projects
  • Review and evaluate approved projects
  • Participate in the thoughtful review of policies and policy changes
  • Serve as an ambassador for the foundation in the Community

The Jill Ackhurst Social Action committee is chaired by a member of the board of directors for the Community Foundation of Whistler.

The Committee is comprised of:

  1. Two Foundation Board Members
  2. A representative of Whistler Community Services Society
  3. A representative of the Rotary Club or Whistler and/or a representative of the Rotary Club of Whistler Millennium
  4. A representative of the Whistler Interfaith Society
  5. A representative of the Ackhurst family
  6. One or more members from the community at large

For more information please contact:

Carol Coffey

Executive Director

Community Foundation of Whistler

Jill Ackhurst Social Action Committee Job Description