Media Room

Facts on Vancouver Foundation

Vancouver Foundation differs from many other charities in that donating to the Foundation supports communities both today, and into the future.

  • Vancouver Foundation is Canada's largest community foundation. It manages more than 1,200 endowments worth $722 million.
  • In 2009, Vancouver Foundation provided $61 million in support to projects and organizations.
  • Vancouver Foundation manages the endowments of all kinds of donors, including agencies and corporations.
  • In 2009 alone, 55 new endowments were established at Vancouver Foundation.
  • Since its establishment in 1943, Vancouver Foundation has distributed over $785 million in grants to thousands of community projects.
  • Vancouver Foundation is the only community foundation in Canada that funds an entire province.
  • Community foundations are among the top granting organizations in almost every province in Canada.

For more facts and figures about Vancouver Foundation, contact our communications department at 604.688.2204.

Facts on Philanthropy

  • There are 20,300 non-profit organizations operating in BC about 13% of the Canadian total
  • About 88% of not-for-profits in B.C. that rely on government support, have experienced a decrease in their funding levels from government.
  • 77% of British Columbians aged 15 and over made at least one direct financial contribution to charitable and nonprofit organizations. This compares to 85% for all of Canada
  • British Columbians gave $1.3 billion to charitable organizations. The total amount for all of Canada was $8.9 billion.*
  • Total average annual donation in B.C. was $467. The national average is $400. Albertans give the most at $500.*
  • About 47% of all donations in B.C. are given to religious organizations. This is followed by health (12%) and then social service agencies (9%)

Facts on Philanthropy and Volunteering

  • 47% of British Columbians volunteered their time to a charitable and/or nonprofit organization. Tha national average is 46%.**
  • BC leads the country with the highest number of volunteer hours given annually: 199 (compared to a national average of 168). This translates to the equivalent of 164,000 full-time jobs and 315 million hours.**
  • Most volunteering involves either: being on a committee or board (16%); organizing or supervising events (15%); or teaching, educating or mentoring (13%); office work (9%) or fundraising (9%).*

*Source: Imagine Canada 2004
**Source: 2008 State of Volunteering Report

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Media and speaking inquiries

Catherine Clement
Vice-President, Communications
604.629.5184
[email]

Andrea Majorki
Communications Manager, Projects
604.688.2204
[email]

Paul Heraty
Senior Writer/Managing Editor
[email]

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