November 19, 2021

Vancity today launched a campaign to support communities impacted by the devastating weather events across British Columbia. The Vancity Humanitarian Fund is donating $25,000 to the Canadian Red Cross and a further $25,000 in direct relief to community organizations supporting urgent need in the communities most affected. For each $25,000 component of the campaign, it will match every dollar donated to the Vancity Humanitarian Fund between November 19 and December 19, up to a total of $100,000.

“Just three months after the catastrophic wildfires, British Columbians are once again in the grips of the devastating impacts of the climate crisis,” said Christine Bergeron, President and CEO of Vancity. “I encourage anyone who's in a position to do so to donate to the relief effort. For those impacted communities, we hope these funds support their recovery.”

Aid is urgently needed to help communities recover from the flooding events and Red Cross is already working to provide shelter, assist in search and recovery efforts of people and animals, and making sure those impacted have basic necessities such as food and water.

Members and the public can donate to the Vancity Humanitarian Fund in the following ways:

• The easiest and most direct way to give is by credit card through the Vancity Community Foundation website. Any Visa, Mastercard or American Express are accepted, and receipts are generated automatically.


• Vancity members can donate through online banking using the “Pay Bills” function and choosing the VCF Donation form (in the left side bar menu). Select Vancity Humanitarian Fund from the top of the dropdown menu.


• Vancity enviro™ Visa* cardholders can donate 2,000 or more Vancity Rewards™ points to the Vancity Humanitarian Fund ($20 rewards value) online at https://creditcards.vancity.com/. To donate points online, log into your Manage my Visa account. Click on the ‘Explore your rewards’, “Charity” and then the “Donate Now” button. In the space provided, enter the number of points you wish to donate and select “Vancity Humanitarian Fund” as the name of the charity.

Gifts of $20 or more will receive a tax receipt.

For any members who have experienced hardships due to the extreme weather events, please reach out to a dedicated line at our Member Services Centre – 604-648-4816 / 844-648-4816.

About the Vancity Humanitarian Fund

Vancity developed the Vancity Humanitarian Fund in September 2015 in response to the Syrian refugee crisis and to provide ongoing support for organizations that address this and other humanitarian causes. To date this year, the Fund has donated to the India Covid-19 Response Appeal through the Canadian Red Cross, contributed $100,000 to the Indian Residential School Survivors Society crisis line, and $25,000 to the Canadian Red Cross 2021 British Columbia Fires Appeal. In total, the fire appeal received donations from members and the public totaling $149,880.83.

^*Visa Int./Vancity, Licensed User.

* Online donations made through the Vancity Humanitarian Fund by credit card will receive a tax receipt immediately by email. For all other donations, tax receipts will be sent by mail or email with-in 3 to 6 weeks. To receive a tax receipt for the current calendar year, donations must be received by Vancity Community Foundation on or before December 31.