Our purpose is an unwavering commitment to community and a future where everyone belongs. We are working toward this by:
- Strengthening community – understanding, assessing and spot-lighting areas of greatest need
- Inspiring generosity – providing donors with access to the expertise and resources they need to create a meaning approach to their giving
- Taking the long view – encouraging our team and donors to look at the big picture, to be bold, to keep it simple and meaningful.
Some of the ongoing initiatives we have to help us achieve our mission are:
As a community foundation, the West Vancouver Foundation aims to foster peer learning, collaboration, and philanthropic growth for the creation of healthy, vibrant, and livable community. Part of this is done through offering Capacity Building opportunities to the non-profit organizations on the North Shore. Here are some of the programs we have delivered to North Shore non-profits.
Insights
We look at local knowledge and data to measure the vitality of our community and support action towards improving collective quality of life. Local data is used to support evidence-based, locally-relevant solutions to improve the quality of life at the community level. Each year we create a Vital Signs report that aims to inspire civic engagement, to provide focus for public debate, and to help a range of actors take action and direct resources where they will have the greatest impact.
Granting
Guided by our learnings on the community, including needs and strengths, we have 5 main grant programs that support charities and non-profits with programs on the North Shore.
Community Grants
Transformation Grant
Micro Grants
Give Where You Live Grants
Neighbourhood Small Grants
Building a Legacy
In June 2025, Stacie Graham and Margaret Lanthier, from the Foundation, gave a presentation at the West Vancouver Seniors Health Expo on Building Your Legacy. See the presentation here>>
Denise Howell was pleased to be a guest on the Your Estate Matters podcast, with Nicole Garton and Greg Brennand of Heritage Trust Company Inc. Watch the podcast to learn more about community foundations and how local residents help transform their community, by working with a community foundation.