Victoria, B.C. – The Victoria Foundation is pleased to celebrate 90 years of impact and uplifting community, at an official event held at the Victoria Conference Centre on September 26. The event is now sold out.
The celebration will feature a variety of inspiring speakers, memorable performances and community connection, along with speeches from the Foundation’s new CEO Ian Bird, and from Sandra Richardson, who will be retiring this fall after 25 years in the role.
The Foundation is excited to welcome Ben Nemtin home to Victoria as the keynote speaker. Ben is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, global motivational speaker and co-star of the The Buried Life. His powerful story and message of purpose, resilience and fearless goal setting have inspired audiences around the world.
Other attractions include an opening lion dance by Victoria Hung Fut & Lion Dance Association, a special performance by the Canadian College of Performing Arts with the Victoria Children’s Choir, a performance by the Victoria Conservatory of Music, artwork by local artist Tanya Bub and an art installation by Sabayons.
We are grateful to our generous sponsors for helping bring the Victoria Foundation’s 90th Anniversary event to life. These include Nicola Wealth, our Presenting Sponsor, and Coast Capital Savings Federal Credit Union, our Uplifting Partner.
Tickets can be purchased on the Victoria Foundation website, at victoriafoundation.bc.ca.
Quotes:
“I am delighted to be celebrating all that we have achieved together as a community. For 25 years, I have had the privilege of witnessing the generosity, compassion and commitment that define our region. Thank you to the donors, volunteers, charitable organizations and community partners who continue to make this journey possible. I look forward to seeing you at our celebration!”
Sandra Richardson, CEO Emeritus, Victoria Foundation
“It’s an honour to join the Victoria Foundation during this milestone year. For 90 years, the Foundation has brought people together to address community priorities, support local organizations, and create opportunities for future generations. As we celebrate this remarkable legacy, we also look honestly and directly at today’s challenges and inequities, and the potential for our community to bring all of our skills and resources to the fore.”
Ian Bird, CEO, Victoria Foundation
“Ninety years ago. 1936. The world was in the grip of the Great Depression. Amid that uncertainty a gesture of kindness created a positive initiative to create community support in Greater Victoria. It was, and still is, The Victoria Foundation. This extraordinary anniversary celebrates the achievements of The Foundation and the countless people who have benefitted from the generosity and leadership since those earliest days. Thank you everyone in the community who continue to make this work possible.”
Bruce Williams, Co-Chair of the 90th Anniversary Committee, and Honorary Governor
“This celebration is ultimately about community. Over nearly a century, people have come together through the Victoria Foundation to support one another and invest in a stronger future. We are excited to honour that history, celebrate the impact that has been made and inspire the next generation of community builders.”
Lori Elder, Co-Chair of the 90th Anniversary committee, and Honorary Governors President
Ninety years of generosity, granting and growth
The Victoria Foundation’s story began in 1936 in a soup kitchen called the Sunshine Inn. Located on Pandora Avenue, it fed locals who were struggling with homelessness and unemployment during the Great Depression. However, Burges Gadsden, its founder and operator, wanted to take his community service even further. He dreamed of establishing a solid source of funds for the capital region that would support charitable organizations across the sector.
Fast forward 90 years and the Victoria Foundation has worked with countless organizations, businesses and donors to uplift our community and create a lasting impact. After nine decades, we have invested over $400 million in people, projects and charitable organizations that strengthen communities in B.C. and throughout Canada.
About Presenting Sponsor Nicola Wealth
Nicola Wealth is one of Canada’s leading independent wealth management firms, managing over $17 billion in assets for high-net-worth individuals, families, and institutions. With advisors across BC, Alberta, and Ontario, the firm provides an institutional-caliber investment platform offering access to public and private asset classes including real estate, private equity, private debt, and commercial mortgages. For more information, please visit https://nicolawealth.com/
About Uplifting Partner Coast Capital Savings Federal Credit Union
At Coast Capital, we’re not dreaming about a better future, we’re building one. We’re a member-owned financial cooperative with a more than 80-year legacy of unlocking financial opportunities that positively impact people and communities. We believe that every Canadian deserves a financial partner who actually cares how things turn out. Driven by our social purpose, we look at everything we do through the lens of how we can help our nearly 600,000 members, our employees, and communities. We’re proud to be a Certified B Corporation™, recipient of the Greater Purpose 2025 Social Purpose Company of the Year Award, and part of a global movement building a more inclusive, equitable and regenerative economic system. Each year, we invest 10% of our budgeted bottom line into our communities totaling more than $100M invested since 2000. We’re deeply committed to making our financial cooperative a great place to work as demonstrated by some of our accolades. Coast Capital is a platinum member of Canada’s Best Managed Companies and one of Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures. To learn more, visit us online at coastcapitalsavings.com.
Event details:
Date: Saturday, September 26
When: 1:30 to 4:30. Doors open at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Victoria Conference Centre
Ticket Price: $90.00 + tax/fees
Media contact:
Adam van der Zwan
Senior Communications Officer
The Victoria Foundation
E: [email protected]
T: 250-381-5532