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Thinking of extending your giving spirit beyond the holidays? Charities across BC are working hard to build capacity and enrich our communities.
While most charities and non-profits in BC see a sizeable uptick in donations around the holidays, they rely on the generosity of donors to run key programming all year round. Most charities receive at least half, if not more of their funding from community donations, both in financial giving and volunteer hours. Because of this generosity, millions of Canadians benefit from healthcare research, healthy food and nutritional advice, access to arts and education, and robust social services, just to name a few essential services the non-profit sector provides.
Yet, the past two years have been hard on charities, as inflation and lingering covid-19 impacts meant an increased demand for services, with many organizations struggling to meet that demand. If charitable giving—as an individual or as part of a corporate strategy—is on your list of new year’s resolutions, consider these well-established organizations—just a few of many that are making tangible impacts in BC communities every, single day.
Greg Douglas, senior director of development from the Greater Vancouver Food Bank (GVFB), says the organization’s key purpose is providing healthy food to those in need. “The GVFB provides healthy food to people living in Vancouver, Burnaby, the North Shore and New Westminster,” he says. “We also support 150+ local, non-profit organizations that provide various food security programs within their communities, as well as other provincial food banks.”
The GVFB is BC’s largest food bank and provider of fresh food to people suffering from food insecurity. It supports 15,000 monthly clients, 14% of which are seniors and 28% of which are children. “In our last fiscal year, the GVFB distributed 8.9 million pounds of food to the communities we serve,” Douglas says. “During that same period, we also registered over 7,000 new clients.”
GVFB provides four nutritional program packs for vulnerable age groups, including babies, toddlers, school age children and seniors. Baby Steps includes formula, baby food, baby snacks and cereal for babies from birth to 12-months-old; eggs, cereal, milk, cheese and fruits for babies from 13 to 24-months-old or diapers for children up to 36-months-old.
The Preschooler and Grade Schooler Packs offer highly nutritious, age-appropriate food for 2 – 12-year-olds that are high in iron and protein to promote brain and muscle development; and the Seniors Pack includes a healthy mix of age-appropriate food for 65+ year-olds that is rich in vitamins and minerals, including lean proteins, whole-grain bread, cheese, nutrition shakes, bok choy, bananas and more.
“We receive no recurring government funding and exist solely through the generosity of the public, our industry partners and applicable grants,” Douglas says. “Leaving a legacy gift to the GVFB is more than a monetary gift. It means a legacy of health and wellness in the community by ensuring the food bank’s ability to provide fresh, healthy food to people in need, from babies to seniors.”
Whether you’re making a monthly donation, leaving a legacy gift or organizing a Virtual Food Drive, there are many ways you can support the GVFB. For those who want their giving to be their legacy, GVFB offers a legacy giving program, which includes assistance in preparing a will to ensure donors’ wishes are carried out exactly as they intend and that their loved ones and friends will be cared for. Visit foodbank.bc.ca/ways-to-give/legacy-giving to learn more.
Arthritis is serious and life-threatening and affects over six million Canadians of all ages. Arthritis Research Canada is the largest clinical arthritis research centre in North America, conducting over 100 innovative studies aimed at preventing arthritis, facilitating early diagnosis, finding new and better treatments, and improving quality of life for people living with 100 different types of this disease.
“Our mission is to transform the lives of people impacted by arthritis through patient-centred research and engagement, and our vision is a world where people living with arthritis can thrive,” says Patti Nakatsu, director of development for Arthritis Canada. “Patient partners are involved in all aspects of our research, ensuring our findings and programs meet the needs of those directly impacted by arthritis.”
Arthritis is often considered an older person’s disease, yet it can strike at any age. In fact, half of those diagnosed with this disease are under the age of 65. Arthritis Research Canada is investigating ways to prevent life-threatening complications caused by arthritis, such as heart attacks, strokes, hip fractures and blood clots.
“We are leveraging technology and creating digital tools to help with the day-to-day management of arthritis, reducing health inequities so everyone can receive the best care available, and so much more,” Nakatsu says. “We prioritize practical solutions that empower people to overcome the daily challenges of arthritis—helping them stay active, succeed in their career and education goals, enjoy restful sleep, maintain mental well-being, and cherish time with loved ones.”
Donor support fuels discovery and helps Arthritis Research Canada find answers so millions of Canadians can live well. Wills are powerful tools, and legacy donations often allow people to leave a larger gift than they ever thought possible. “A legacy gift is an excellent way for people to continue to support Arthritis Research Canada and to have a lasting impact for generations to come,” Nakatsu says. “The number of Canadians with arthritis is expected to grow to 9 million by 2040. You have the power to change the future. Please visit arthritisresearch.ca and help make arthritis research a priority.
SalvationArmy.ca is an international Christian organization that began its work in Canada in 1882. Since then, it has grown to the largest non-government direct providers of social services in the country. Its programs and services feed, clothe and shelter vulnerable people every day, while helping others escape violence and addiction.
“Working in over 50 communities in British Columbia, 400 communities across Canada and more than 130 countries around the world, we give people hope today… and every day,” says Gina Haggett, Divisional Director of Public Relations from The Salvation Army in British Columbia.
The organization’s nation-wide reach is building communities for millions of Canadians. In 2023, The Salvation Army distributed 3.2 million meals and assisted 2.1 million people with food, clothing or practical assistance. In BC alone, the group provided 28,723 shelter, detox, addictions and mental health beds; received 423,088 visits for food, clothing or practical assistance, and provided Christmas assistance, including food hampers and toys, to 31,987 people.
“They always helped me with food when I was hungry, and they took me in as one of their own,” says Terry Lynn, a client at The Salvation Army Vernon House of Hope. “It’s the first time I’ve had a family ever in my life.”
For most of her life, Terry-Lynn has been on her own, growing up on the streets and struggling with homelessness and addiction with little support. Through shelter, counselling and food assistance, the Salvation Army in Vernon provided the haven Terry-Lynn was looking for. The Army also helped her enrol in an addiction recovery program. It’s been seven years since she was on the streets.
“The Salvation Army gives hope and dignity to vulnerable people today and every day in more than 400 communities across Canada and Bermuda and in 134 countries around the world,” says Lee Graves, Territorial Commander for The Salvation Army. “We recognize that hardship is more than not having enough money. Through vision, strategy and specialized programs we respond to individual needs and empower people to break the cycle of poverty.”
Want to make a difference for vulnerable people in your community? Please visit SalvationArmy.ca to learn more about the programs and services offered, and to discover how to get involved.
Create healthy, vibrant, equitable and inclusive communities across British Columbia—this is vancouverfoundation.ca mission. The organization supports charities and non-profits by providing grants to address the root causes of critical issues within the province, fostering long-term positive change.
“Vancouver Foundation’s grants are shaped by representatives from the communities we serve,” says Erin Reddekopp, manager, marketing strategy for Vancouver Foundation. “Our target audience includes charities in BC, working to make a difference in communities across the province, as well as donors who contribute to endowment funds, which are strategically invested to provide ongoing support to local charitable initiatives.”
In 2023, Vancouver Foundation granted a record of $142.6 million. Donors contributed $89.8 million to communities across the province, and Vancouver Foundation distributed 2,496 charities and non-profits. Its LEVEL BIPOC Grant Program provided $2.2 million to 40 charities to invest in the leadership capacity of BIPOC-led organizations in BC, and the Recovery & Resilience Fund, in partnership with the BC Government, United Way and New Relationship Trust, provided $30 million to 176 charities and non-profits.
Visit vancouverfoundation.ca to learn make a difference with us and be a part of making a meaningful impact today, and for generations to come.