** About Us **
Vancouver Foundation helps people give back to the communities they care about, in a way that is simple, convenient and lasting.
We are the largest of Canada's 160 community foundations. We've been around since 1943. Our focus is on improving our communities -- the places where we all live, work, play and raise our kids. The place we call home.
** Vision & Values **
** Mission **
To create positive and lasting impacts in communities.
** Living our Mission by **
* Promoting knowledge, networks and philanthropy
* Nurturing a strong and sustainable non-profit sector
* Engaging donors in making meaningful investments in their community
* Growing endowment funds to invest back into the community Vision
* Healthy, vibrant and livable communities across British Columbia
** Our Vision **
Healthy, vibrant and livable communities across British Columbia
** Core Beliefs **
Communities have the right, responsibility, and potential to address their needs, and philanthropy and community foundations can play a powerful supporting role.
Communities extend beyond geography to include communities of interests and identity.
We are exemplary stewards of charitable resources and prudent stewards of the funds entrusted to our care, operating with the highest ethical standards.
We are passionate, committed leaders working to achieve extraordinary results.
We embrace the benefits of diversity and inclusion of all people in organizations and communities.
History Of BC Medical Services Foundation (B.C.M.S.F.)
Vancouver Foundation started in 1943 with one person, $1,000 and a vision. Alice MacKay had saved $1,000 from her secretarial job and wanted to help homeless women trapped in a cycle of poverty.
At the same time, local industrialist and philanthropist W.J. VanDusen knew the potential of building a permanent endowment that could benefit many charitable activities. As Director of the Vancouver Welfare Federation (now the United Way of the Lower Mainland) and Chair of its Endowment Committee, he had studied models of community foundations for several years. By 1943, he had overseen the establishment and incorporation of Vancouver Foundation. However, at the time, it was nothing more than a legal entity with virtually no capital.
Vancouver Foundation was on its way. It was formally established by an Act of the Provincial Legislature - the Vancouver Foundation Act - in 1950.
The original $101,000 investment has since grown into almost $700 million - the largest community foundation in Canada and one of the largest in North America.
