Skip to content
Sponsored Content

What’s your opinion worth? Potentially millions!

A simple survey can help direct vital community funds … and help you win a dinner out
12345695_web1_VicFoundation-Therapeutic-Riding-copy
Victoria Therapeutic Riding Association is one of many local organizations that has benefited from the Victoria Foundation and Victoria Vital Signs.

Can a few minutes of your time have an impact worth millions?

By taking a few minutes to share your thoughts about the most pressing local issues, you’ll have a hand in directing millions of dollars in vital funding for organizations in your community.

(You’ll also be entered for the chance to win a gift card from some of the community’s most popular restaurants!)

For the 13th year, the Victoria Foundation asks Capital Region residents to weigh in about 12 areas critical to our community through the online Vital Signs survey.

The community check-up becomes part of the Vital Signs report, used by the Foundation and individual donors to direct funding, and by local governments and organizations as they plan programs and initiatives, explains Rob Janus, Victoria Foundation Director of Communications.

“Vital Signs reflects the perceptions and experiences of residents from the West Shore and Sooke right through to the Saanich Peninsula, so as we look at how to direct our annual grants most effectively and create the most impact, the Vital Signs Report becomes our guide,” Janus says.

20 million reasons to have your say!

Last year, the Victoria Foundation distributed $20 million in grants, based largely on the feedback received during previous surveys. Many grant recipients serve residents from throughout Greater Victoria and beyond – the Island Prostate Centre, Victoria Therapeutic Riding Association, Power to Be: Adventure Therapy Society and the Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness, for example – others are hard at work closer to home.

Local grant recipients in recent years have included:

Peninsula Streams Society Funding supported the Creating Young Stewards’ Environment Education Program, delivering three annual Environment education programs to 1,450 students in more than 13 Saanich Peninsula schools.

Beacon Community Association – The Seniors Engagement project aims to address seniors isolation and food security with a monthly seniors lunch and Neighbourhood Chats, connecting isolated seniors with their neighbours, information about local programs and services.

Boys & Girls Club Services of Greater Victoria Expansion of the interactive education program Raising the Grade for Aboriginal youth at Stelly’s Secondary School, and running a literacy program at Bayside Middle School.

Take the survey today!

The 2018 survey, open through July 1, is easily completed on mobile and tablet, so respondents can participate no matter how they get online.

The Foundation has added a panel survey this year, which will mirror the demographic makeup of Greater Victoria and provide a second data source, Janus says.

***

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

Vital Signs is a national program co-ordinated by Community Foundations of Canada that leverages community knowledge to measure the vitality of our communities and support action towards improving quality of life.

12345695_web1_Vital-Signs
The 2018 Vital Signs survey, open through July 1, is easily completed on mobile and tablet, as well as on your computer.