History

The Fresh Outlook Foundation (FOF) was established in 2007 by communications consultant Joanne de Vries with support from a committed group of board members and volunteers who shared her passion for building sustainable communities in British Columbia, Canada.
 
Now a registered charity, FOF is highly acclaimed as the creator and host of innovative and interactive events, programs, and projects that enable and encourage community sustainability. The Building SustainAble Communities conference and Reel Change SustainAbility Film Fest, for example, are designed to accelerate change across whole communities by enhancing communication and collaboration among all sectors — including government, business, nonprofit groups, and academia.
 
Other FOF projects aim to address particular issues or sectors. Talking DIRTy, for instance, uses the award-winning documentary DIRT to promote soil ecology and conservation in the Okanagan Valley, while the Breakfast of Champions model celebrates sustainability successes in the private sector.
 
To support its passion, FOF seeks financial support through traditional means such as event registrations, sponsorships, grants, and donations. It is also exploring new and innovative sources of funding through social media and social enterprise, which allows charities to sell goods or services in the marketplace that create both financial and social returns on investment.
 
In June 2011, FOF introduced SustainAbility Support Services Inc. (S3), a social enterprise company wholly owned by FOF. S3 helps groups from all sectors achieve organizational well-being while contributing to community sustainability.
 
To that end, S3 provides innovative, practical, and affordable services related to organizational develoment, community planning, public education and consultation, and project and event management. Net proceeds of S3 are used to support existing FOF charitable activities, and to design and deliver new events, programs, and projects.
 
For more information contact Joanne de Vries at 250-766-1777 or jo@freshoutlookfoundation.org.