We harness the gifts of energy, ideas, time, and money to make meaningful and lasting impacts in BC communities.

We are BC’s Community Foundation

Vancouver Foundation grants to hundreds of charities and non-profits in BC every year. Our vision is to create healthy, vibrant, and livable communities, and we focus on supporting projects that address the root causes of important issues. Our funding comes from generous gifts from the community, as well as from managing endowment funds for people, charities, and businesses.

How We Work

Vancouver Foundation works with individuals, charities, and businesses to create endowment funds, most of which are permanent. The original capital is then invested strategically so it can continually generate an income, making your donations last a lifetime. We then use that income to support charities across BC. We also offer grants to support projects that address the root causes of important issues and help build a healthy, vibrant, and livable BC.

Community Impact

Community Impact

Addressing Homelessness

Addressing Homelessness

Animal Welfare

Animal Welfare

Arts and Culture

Arts & Culture

Children and Families

Children & Families

Education

Education

Environment

Environment

Health

Health

Social Services

Social Services

Youth

Youth

Our Focus Areas

We bring together smart community advisors with charity experience who volunteer their time to guide our funding, as well as your donations, to where it’s needed most.

We Support the Community

We address current and emerging community needs in BC. Thanks to our donors who have established thousands of endowment funds with us, we’re able to grant millions of dollars each year.

We create initiatives that address under-served priorities in BC, such as investing in racialized youth and supporting women in philanthropy.

A family portrait of a Muslim couple and their child

How to Get Involved

Endowment fund

Open an Endowment Fund

When you open a fund with us, your contribution is invested into stocks and securities – like what you might do with your RRSP.

Over time, you can grant from this fund to any charity of your choice. Because your grants come from the income earned on the fund, this fund can last forever. This means when you start a fund at Vancouver Foundation, the impact you make will outlive you – a first step to creating your legacy.

Volunteers helping people seeking refuge in a temporary shelter

Donate to the Community Impact Fund

Donate to support BC’s next urgent need. Our Community Impact Fund has helped BC get through the unexpected, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This is also the best way to support our grant programs, which support systemic change for the better.

Every grant we make from the Community Impact Fund is reviewed by community advisors, in order to give you confidence that good people are directing your gift to the right places.