Philanthropy

Efforts to host refugees from Ukraine in local communities got a cash boost from members of the Oak Bay Lawn Bowling Club. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Oak Bay lawn bowlers pitch in $2,300 for Ukrainian refugees

Last-minute call for donations leads to housing help

 

John Hillman, 103, with the judge presiding over the July 21 virtual citizenship ceremony where the British veteran became Canadian. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Meet Canada’s oldest newest Canadian, John Hillman of Oak Bay

103-year-old performs official oath in English and French to earn citizenship July 21

 

Honey needs new wheels after being found paralyzed on the side of a road. (GVAC/Facebook)

Greater Victoria animal rescue fundraises for paralyzed, abandoned pup

The organization plans to try physiotherapy but says: ‘Honey needs wheels’

 

Local author, historian and longtime musician Lucky Budd is the host of the Victoria Foundation's Vital Victoria Podcast.

Vital Victoria Podcast: Sharing stories + building community

Don’t miss the Vital Signs survey – open til July 4

  • Jun 13, 2022
Local author, historian and longtime musician Lucky Budd is the host of the Victoria Foundation's Vital Victoria Podcast.
Victoria student Levi Budd won $10,000 for Habitat for Humanity in a writing contest. (Courtesy Lucky Budd)

Victoria student who started the #levidrome drive wins $10,000 with his writing

Sixth grader’s essay funds Habitat for Humanity Victoria

Victoria student Levi Budd won $10,000 for Habitat for Humanity in a writing contest. (Courtesy Lucky Budd)
Nathan Bull, then 8, takes to the trails around Westwood Lake in Nanaimo on an adaptive trail rider during a Power to Be outing in 2019. (Black Press Media file photo)

Climb Greater Victoria stairs and hills to raise funds for Power To Be

Power To Summit runs virtually to support those with different abilities

Nathan Bull, then 8, takes to the trails around Westwood Lake in Nanaimo on an adaptive trail rider during a Power to Be outing in 2019. (Black Press Media file photo)
Firefighters from Esquimalt and Victoria teamed up to supply, crate and load firefighting equipment for Ukraine. (Compassionate Resource Warehouse/Facebook)

Esquimalt warehouse pulls together trauma centres for war-torn Ukraine

Building supplies, firefighting equipment, first aid goods head overseas

Firefighters from Esquimalt and Victoria teamed up to supply, crate and load firefighting equipment for Ukraine. (Compassionate Resource Warehouse/Facebook)
Victoria-based Soap for Hope Canada recently fulfilled a big order in just a couple days, 500 hygiene kits for families coming from Ukraine. (Soap for Hope/Facebook)

Soap for Hope Canada’s Victoria warehouse faces increasing demand with war in Ukraine

Vancouver Island-based non-profit benefits local residents, international causes

Victoria-based Soap for Hope Canada recently fulfilled a big order in just a couple days, 500 hygiene kits for families coming from Ukraine. (Soap for Hope/Facebook)
Burt Hill shaves the head of Thomas Joe, a Grade 6 student at St. Patrick’s Elementary School who raised more than his target of $10,000 for cancer research. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Victoria youth skips haircuts for nearly 3 years, raises $12,000 for kids with cancer

St. Patrick’s elementary abuzz as 12-year-old loses a foot of hair

Burt Hill shaves the head of Thomas Joe, a Grade 6 student at St. Patrick’s Elementary School who raised more than his target of $10,000 for cancer research. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
A kindergarten class from St. Christopher’s Montessori walks with John Hillman on May 3 in his fundraiser for Save the Children. (Courtesy Carlton House)

103-year-old hits halfway mark in Oak Bay walk for Save the Children

Veteran John Hillman plans to finish fundraiser Friday

A kindergarten class from St. Christopher’s Montessori walks with John Hillman on May 3 in his fundraiser for Save the Children. (Courtesy Carlton House)
The Victoria Foundation's 17th annual Victoria's Vital Signs survey is open now, with residents from Sooke to Sidney encouraged to weigh in about what works in their community, and what needs a little help.

Victoria’s Vital Signs Survey matters to the Saanich Peninsula: Here’s why

Have your say: 17th annual survey continues to July 4

  • May 9, 2022
The Victoria Foundation's 17th annual Victoria's Vital Signs survey is open now, with residents from Sooke to Sidney encouraged to weigh in about what works in their community, and what needs a little help.
Oak Bay resident John Hillman walked 101 laps around the Carlton House driveway in 2020 to raise money and awareness for Save the Children Canada. The veteran of the Second World War did five laps a day for 20 days, inspired by the late Capt. Tom Moore in England. (Black Press Media file photo)

103-year-old veteran laps Oak Bay courtyard for 3rd year in Save the Children fundraiser

Party atmosphere grows music, children, dignitaries for third year

Oak Bay resident John Hillman walked 101 laps around the Carlton House driveway in 2020 to raise money and awareness for Save the Children Canada. The veteran of the Second World War did five laps a day for 20 days, inspired by the late Capt. Tom Moore in England. (Black Press Media file photo)
Horizon Pacific Contracting owner Tim Agar looks over one of his company’s past projects in Gordon Head – the company is ready to begin seeking applications in Greater Victoria after a pandemic pause. (Black Press Media file photo)

Step Up Community Build Program looks to improve the lives of Greater Victoria residents

Program gifts free purpose-built renovations to reduce obstacles in the home

Horizon Pacific Contracting owner Tim Agar looks over one of his company’s past projects in Gordon Head – the company is ready to begin seeking applications in Greater Victoria after a pandemic pause. (Black Press Media file photo)
Photographer Mikhail Palinchak lends images from his war-torn home country to a Victoria showcase and silent auction to raise funds for the Canada-Ukraine Foundation. (Photo by Mikhail Palinchak)

Photos from Ukraine help teens Rise Together for Victoria fundraiser

Oak Bay philanthropists raising money for Canada-Ukraine Foundation with May 11-13 show

Photographer Mikhail Palinchak lends images from his war-torn home country to a Victoria showcase and silent auction to raise funds for the Canada-Ukraine Foundation. (Photo by Mikhail Palinchak)
Regan McGrath and the school principal Charmaine Murray go over the technology and school supplies the Victoria family brought for the Askenish All Age School in Hanover Parish, Jamaica. (Courtesy Regan McGrath)

Victoria soccer club keeps Jamaican kids in the game

Family with longtime ties to rural school gifts technology, drops off donated gear

Regan McGrath and the school principal Charmaine Murray go over the technology and school supplies the Victoria family brought for the Askenish All Age School in Hanover Parish, Jamaica. (Courtesy Regan McGrath)
Dr. Rebecca Deyell, pediatric oncologist at BC Children’s Hospital, with Ellie, treated for a rare childhood cancer at BC Children’s Hospital. Thanks to vital donor support, researchers can explore uncharted paths and treatment options for children like Ellie.

Ellie’s journey: Rare condition points to critical research need

BC Children’s Hospital shares need for increased research for childhood cancers

  • Dec 6, 2021
Dr. Rebecca Deyell, pediatric oncologist at BC Children’s Hospital, with Ellie, treated for a rare childhood cancer at BC Children’s Hospital. Thanks to vital donor support, researchers can explore uncharted paths and treatment options for children like Ellie.
Rise Together is a collaborative group with the goal of supporting local organizations started by Holly Smith and Trishna Gill, Grade 11 students at Oak Bay High. (Courtesy Rise Together)

Oak Bay teens rise together, bring talent to the stage to benefit Greater Victoria soup kitchen

Dec. 17 Holiday Charity Benefit Show at Dave Dunnet Theatre raises funds for Rainbow Kitchen

Rise Together is a collaborative group with the goal of supporting local organizations started by Holly Smith and Trishna Gill, Grade 11 students at Oak Bay High. (Courtesy Rise Together)
Jillian Harris and Team Jilly have joined with Do Some Good to engage the community, support local causes and amplify the many amazing stories that non-profit organizations share. Join her for the 12 Days of Christmas campaign, Dec. 1 to 12.

Jillian Harris joins Do Some Good to drive more community impact

Team Jilly’s 12 Days of Giving campaign runs Dec. 1 to 12

  • Nov 22, 2021
Jillian Harris and Team Jilly have joined with Do Some Good to engage the community, support local causes and amplify the many amazing stories that non-profit organizations share. Join her for the 12 Days of Christmas campaign, Dec. 1 to 12.
While a Will is often seen as a way of sharing our legacy with loved ones, it can also provide a gift to our favourite causes. Assigning part of your estate to an organization like the Victoria Foundation, for example, is a way to leave a lasting legacy in your community.

Will Power: Create a lasting legacy for family AND your community

The Victoria Foundation works with donors to direct their legacy gift in meaningful ways

  • Sep 27, 2021
While a Will is often seen as a way of sharing our legacy with loved ones, it can also provide a gift to our favourite causes. Assigning part of your estate to an organization like the Victoria Foundation, for example, is a way to leave a lasting legacy in your community.
Indigenous Perspective Society, which among myriad programs is providing Cultural Perspectives Training to help governments, organizations, businesses and individuals deepen their understanding, increase cultural competence, and develop actionable ideas to respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action.

Building the community we want: Caring, inclusive + thriving

Each year, the Victoria Foundation, through the Victoria’s Vital Signs Survey, invites…

  • Jun 14, 2021
Indigenous Perspective Society, which among myriad programs is providing Cultural Perspectives Training to help governments, organizations, businesses and individuals deepen their understanding, increase cultural competence, and develop actionable ideas to respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action.