Victoria Foundation distributes $5.35 million in Vital Stream funding to 210 organizations

July 3, 2025

VICTORIA, B.C. – Just over $5.35 million is being distributed this year to 210 charitable organizations in the capital region, through the Vital Stream of the Victoria Foundation’s flagship Community Grants Program. This annual program aims to help strengthen the charitable sector and long-term resilience of the community by providing organizations with flexible, general operating funding.

This year, the 2025 Community Grants Program received a record 346 applicants with 68 of these submissions from first-time applicants. The program received a total request of $9.1 million in Vital Stream grant funding – a 6.8 per cent increase in requested funding from last year.

“We continue to see a growing demand this year for support within our community’s charitable sector, as organizations face even greater pressures for their services,” explains Sandra Richardson, Victoria Foundation CEO. “Thanks to the many generous donors and fundholders in our community, these grants will help organizations, including those small- and medium-sized, respond to this demand, make impact, and achieve their missions to the community.”

This year, 70 per cent of grants will support organizations or projects that significantly benefit equity-deserving populations including Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, 2SLGBTQIA+, women, children and youth, persons with disabilities, and newcomers. Support will also be prioritized for organizations working to address issue areas that received a C+ grade or lower in the 2024 Vital Signs program, including housing, health and wellness, safety, and standard of living.

Last year’s State of the Sector report, titled ‘Under Pressure,’ found that many non-profits today are grappling with high costs of inflation and skyrocketing demand for services, that they often experience burnout, and that they’ve seen a decline in revenues and volunteerism, among other findings.

The Community Grants Program is one avenue that will help address these challenges by supporting registered charities and other qualified donees whose work benefits community wellbeing in the capital region.

Tracy Ryan, Executive Director of Silver Threads Service, says a community grant the society is receiving this year will help to deliver a range of food security programs for seniors, including the Silver Spoon Cafe, Food Bank support, Soup Socials, and prepared meals for takeout.

“There is no question this has a positive impact on their overall health,” Tracy explains. “Proper nutrition supports physical well-being, while social connections at the centres help reduce isolation. Additionally, affordable options alleviate financial stress, contributing to improved mental health.”

Meanwhile, Josh Delves from the Hockey Education Reaching Out Society (HEROS) says support through the Victoria Foundation this year will help secure crucial programming, including ice-time, equipment, and transportation for young players, “allowing HEROS to focus more on creating additional personal development opportunities for the young people we serve, giving them the opportunities to learn important life skills and become leaders in their community.”

Likewise, Adam Olsen, a Board Member for the WSÁNEC Lands Trust Society, says their community grant will support the vital work of land return and cultural renewal. “Reconnecting WSÁNEC Peoples with our territorial lands and waters is about healing the past and safeguarding our future. It’s about restoring a sacred relationship that has sustained our people for generations — and will sustain generations yet to come,” he said.

To see a full list of organizations funded, click here. 

The Victoria Foundation works closely with generous donors in our community to provide funding for the program. A majority of the $5.35 million distributed came from funds held and managed at the Victoria Foundation, where donors have given the Foundation the discretion to distribute annual grants. Other funding comes from donor-advised funds and Community Action Funds where individuals can donate directly to issue areas including housing, health and wellness, food security and more.

As a broad-based funder, Victoria Foundation staff work to ensure an equitable distribution of grants across the region and sub-sectors, including arts and culture, environment, and many more. In 2024, the foundation distributed 2,006 grants totaling over $33 million.

About the Victoria Foundation

Established in 1936, the Victoria Foundation is Canada’s second-oldest community foundation and the sixth largest of nearly 200 nation-wide. The Victoria Foundation manages charitable gifts from donors whose generosity allows them to create permanent, income-earning funds. The proceeds from these funds are then distributed as grants for charitable or educational purposes. To date, the Victoria Foundation has invested over $373 million in people, projects and non-profit organizations that strengthen communities in BC and throughout Canada.

Media Contact

Adam van der Zwan
Senior Communications Officer
The Victoria Foundation
(250)-381-5532 ext. 246
avanderzwan@victoriafoundation.bc.ca

Community Contacts

Tracy Ryan
Executive Director
Silver Threads Service for Seniors
250 896-8549
Tracyryan@silverthreads.ca

Josh Delves
Donor Engagement and Sponsorship Lead
Hockey Education Reaching Out Society (HEROS)
905-914-0315
Josh@heroshockey.com

Adam Olsen
Board Member
WSÁNEC Lands Trust Society
250-889-7678
Leadnegotiator@tsartlip.com

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