Here’s a breakdown on making the most of your generosity through the Victoria Foundation.
Are you curious about philanthropy? Maybe you love your community and want to leave a lasting mark. Maybe you’re interested in local arts, the environment, housing or education, but don’t know where to begin.
Or maybe you’re on the fence and looking for more info.
Either way, the Community Actions Funds – or CAFs – may be your answer. The Victoria Foundation has created these funds to make it easy for you to give to the causes that need it most.
Here’s a 101 on how the CAFs can help you make the greatest impact on the region you call home.
How do Community Action Funds work?
Community Action Funds support nine key cause areas in our community, along with Vibrant and Caring Community Fund that benefits a wide range of causes that help our community thrive. These cause-based funds include Education and Learning, Food Security, Gender Equity, Housing and more.
When you donate to a CAF, your charitable gift is pooled with other donors’ generous gifts. Expert staff at the Victoria Foundation then work to distribute those gifts to charities within that cause area, that could benefit the most. This is done mainly through our annual Community Grants Program and other Foundation initiatives.
So, you choose the causes that matter to you, and we choose the organizations who really need your support. In this way, you’re trusting the Foundation to make the most of your generosity.
How does the Victoria Foundation know which local organizations to support?
For 90 years, the Victoria Foundation has been building relationships with people and charitable organizations. Foundation staff are always out in the community, getting to know the faces behind the causes we all care about.
Every year, the Foundation is also involved in research that measures wellbeing on the south island. The most recent Architects of Belonging report measures the economic impact of civil society organizations in the capital region. It found that charities and community groups now contribute almost the same amount to the GDP as the local tech sector. That’s $5.4 billion annually!
Other reports like our flagship Victoria’s Vital Signs collect data straight from the community on the health of all cause areas.
Collecting this information helps the Foundation understand where support is needed most. It’s all part of trust-based philanthropy.
And what exactly is trust-based philanthropy?
This is how the Victoria Foundation works to address the power imbalances between funders, charities and the community.
It involves actions like getting into the community to learn about the most pressing challenges. Also, simplifying paperwork for grantees, receiving and acting on feedback, and offering other supports beyond the cheque, like extra promotion and networking opportunities. Doing this helps the Foundation build meaningful relationships based on mutual respect.
When you donate to a Community Action Fund, you’re helping advance trust-based philanthropy by directing your support to where it’s needed most, based on deep knowledge and strong relationships.
Can I donate to a Community Action Fund without specifying a cause area?
Absolutely! You can donate to a CAF called the Vibrant and Caring Community Fund.
This fund uplifts projects, programs and services provided by local charitable organizations working across all the cause areas. Donating to this fund gives the Foundation flexibility to respond to community needs, no matter the cause.
How else can I get involved?
You can uplift your community in so many ways. From leaving a charitable legacy in your Will to creating a fund in your name that you can use to make grants to organizations of your choice.
If you work for a registered charity, your organization can even become a Hosted Organization and create a fund that will generate income every year to support your mission.
Contact the Victoria Foundation to learn more about your options. We look forward to hearing from you!