You are here

Vision & Values

Our purpose is to bring together community assets to address current and emerging community needs. To do this we take a broad view of philanthropy: we recognize that raising funds to tackle an issue is only part of any solution. We also engage citizens, organizations and governments, and invite them to work together and contribute their time, ideas, expertise and energy to an issue. We believe this is the most meaningful and effective way to make lasting improvements.

Our Mission

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

Our Vision

Healthy, vibrant and livable communities across British Columbia.

 

Our Vision, Defined

Healthy: a community where the people, the economy and the physical environment are thriving. It is a place where citizens have healthy and active lifestyles and support for their physical and mental well-being. It is a community with a strong and prosperous economy; clean air and water; adequate parks and green space; healthy and secure food; protection of our animals and wildlife; and more.

Vibrant: a community that has energy and vitality. It is a place that is alive with diversity and celebrates both the things we have in common and the things which make us different. It is a community that is creative and dynamic. A place that honours the past but also embraces new ideas and new ways of doing things. It is a community that is adaptive: able to take on new challenges and address changing circumstances.

Livable: a community where the experience of living there is positive on many different levels. It’s a community that has a strong sense of civic engagement; helps all people feel a sense of belonging; offers affordable housing; well-developed transportation options; social stability; equity of both educational and work opportunities; plenty of places and opportunities to live, work and play. It is also a community that is compassionate, where philanthropy is commonplace, and the gifts of that generosity provide opportunities to help everyone reach their full potential.

Our Beliefs

  • Collaboration: Working together to leverage our collective knowledge, expertise and resources will ensure the best results.
  • Community Self Direction: Communities have the right and responsibility to identify and address their priority needs.
  • Focus: Targeting our efforts and resources will maximize our effectiveness.
  • Innovation: Our core role is a funder; however, we will incubate programs/services when appropriate.
  • Impact: Our work needs to make measurable and sustainable impacts in the communities we serve.
  • Power of Giving: Philanthropy plays a powerful and integral role in strengthening communities.
  • Systemic Approach: We address root causes of issues, focusing both on issues today and prevention of issues in the future.

Our Values

  • Effective: We are exemplary stewards of the resources and the funds entrusted to our care. We deliver on our commitments. Our work is focused and efficient and provides value for money.
  • Excellent: We strive for excellence. We are passionate and committed to being the best in everything we do.
  • Fair: We treat everyone respectfully and fairly. Any actions we take are proportionate and reasonable. We behave in an open, honest and transparent way. We take account of and value the diversity inherent in our communities.
  • Innovative: We adapt and change, and try new ways of doing things. We are imaginative and flexible. We proactively identify and apply new approaches to achieve meaningful results.
  • Responsive: We listen to the perspectives and needs of donors, agencies and communities, and respond in a way that is supportive and enabling.