Mother and child looking out the window.

 

Founded in 1989, Vancity Community Foundation (VCF) believes in the power of collective effort to build thriving, vibrant communities. While our innovative approaches have amplified non-profit work, we recognize that many tools, including philanthropy, have perpetuated inequities. Our new strategic plan aims to increase equity by focusing on community-owned assets, collective benefits, and economic conditions for thriving. We will engage and support communities most impacted by systemic inequalities, ensuring their input and leadership in developing solutions.

We welcome you to read a summary of our new plan below as well as find a link to view the full document.

Thriving Communities

We know many communities are not thriving right now. Through our work, we seek to support local leaders, organizations, and networks in advancing solutions to social and environmental challenges. We prioritize initiatives that challenge structural systems of oppression and benefit equity-deserving communities.

  • Vision: Thriving communities where power is distributed, lives are dignified, and nature is in balance

  • Mission: Work with communities to create the economic, social, and environmental conditions to collectively thrive.

Approach to Change

VCF is committed to using its resources—people, philanthropy, social finance, capacity building, partnerships, research, and advocacy—to build deeper capacity in the non-profit sector, addressing affordability and climate crises. We prioritize Indigenous and Black-led organizations, equity-deserving communities, and the Downtown Eastside, following the lead of our partners to identify and support grassroots initiatives.

VALUES

  • Reciprocal Relations: Built on trust and collaboration, valuing community wisdom. 

  • Learning and Sharing: Embracing collective intelligence and 'Two-Eyed Seeing' to foster shared learnin

  • Action and Courage: Championing community-centered action and equitable power sharing

  • Redistribution of Wealth and Resources: Supporting restorative, community-led efforts.

Our Resources

  • Our People: Centering the health and well-being of our team through inclusive, transparent practices that build trust and foster thriving working environments.

  • Philanthropy and Social Finance: Combining philanthropy with social finance to offer equitable capital access and flexible financing for marginalized groups, ensuring resources are used for both immediate and generational decisions.

  • Capacity Building: Supporting partners through training, technical aid, and collaborative opportunities, strengthening community capacity and building more resilient and equitable organizations.

  • Partnerships and Engagement: Engaging with various stakeholders in shared interests to build trust and innovative solutions, guided by community needs.

  • Research and Knowledge Exchange: Using community-led research to illuminate needs and facilitate targeted solutions, balancing power, and spurring innovation.

  • Advocacy: Utilizing community ties and strategic influence to challenge systems and structures, championing voices for policy change and transformational investments.

Commitments

  • Community-led Initiatives: Addressing power imbalances by involving communities in dialogue, planning, and decision-making.

  • Truth and Reconciliation: Committed to actions supporting the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 Calls to Action and other related declarations.

  • Anti-Racism: Pursuing racial equity within our organization and work.

  • Climate Action: Educating stakeholders on climate change, integrating net-zero considerations, supporting community climate adaptation, and reporting progress transparently.

Strategic Priorities 2024-2029

Restoring Affordability

  • Goal: Ensure that everyone in our community has access to the resources they need to live fulfilled and dignified lives.
  • Commitments: Increase affordable housing, support fair wages, and foster green jobs in equity-deserving communities.

Climate Justice and Resilience

  • Goal: Help communities and the non-profit sector reduce emissions and adapt to a changing climate.
  • Commitments: Develop climate resilience strategies for non-profits, fund net-zero projects in community housing.

Community Connection

  • Goal: Support a shared response to shared challenges that strengthen the bonds between individuals, communities, and the land.
  • Commitments: Use 312 Main as an affordable hub for community development, advocate for and grow social purpose real estate.

 

Learn more:

For more details, please download the full 2024-2029 Strategic Plan here.