For many years, Vantage Point has been committed to learning, listening, and taking action in support of Truth and Reconciliation.
As a settler-led organization working to strengthen British Columbia's non-profit sector, we recognize that reconciliation is not a destination. It is an ongoing responsibility that requires humility, reflection, relationship-building, and a willingness to continually learn and evolve.
Our journey began over a decade ago.
Over the years, our staff, board, and volunteers have participated in learning opportunities, conversations, and partnerships that have deepened our understanding of Indigenous histories, perspectives, and experiences. We engaged with organizations such as Reconciliation Canada and participated in training and learning opportunities led by Indigenous facilitators, including Nahanee Creative. These experiences challenged us to examine our assumptions, better understand the impacts of colonialism, and consider our place in decolonization, and the role non-profit organizations can play in advancing reconciliation.
As our understanding grew, we recognized the importance of publicly affirming our commitment. In 2021, we released a statement that articulated our dedication to Truth and Reconciliation and provided a foundation that has guided our work for many years. That commitment has continued to influence how we approach our programs, partnerships, governance, and our role within the sector.
More recently, we wanted to deepen our understanding of how Vantage Point could more tangibly and meaningfully contribute to collective efforts related to Truth and Reconciliation.
To support this work, we undertook a comprehensive review of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). We explored where our work intersects with these frameworks and considered how we can continue supporting positive change through the training, resources, convening opportunities, research, and advocacy we provide to non-profits across British Columbia.
Throughout this process, one question continued to surface:
What do we mean when we, at Vantage Point, use the word "decolonization"?
We encountered many different interpretations of the term. While these perspectives offered valuable insights, we also experienced uncertainty and ambiguity about how the concept applied within our organizational context.
We recognized that if we were going to speak about decolonization, we needed to be clear about what we meant, how it connects to our work, and how we would hold ourselves accountable. Rather than relying on broad or undefined language, we wanted to develop a shared understanding that reflects our role, values, and responsibilities.
In September 2025, we began working with Indigenous Perspectives Society to support this work. Over the following months, our staff and board participated in thoughtful discussions, reflection, and learning to develop a definition rooted in Vantage Point's context and informed by Indigenous guidance.
The resulting definition is not an endpoint. It is a foundation that will help guide our future decisions, priorities, and accountability.
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Vantage Point is a settler-led organization located on the unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxw?7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓?lwətaʔ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples – our work spans across the territories of more than 200 distinct First Nations in BC. We recognize that we operate within colonial structures, including the BC Societies Act. We know that we have privilege and responsibility as a settler-led organization and commit to examining and disrupting, where possible, colonial patterns in the non-profit sector.
Decolonization has different contexts locally and globally.
For Vantage Point, our scope is provincial, and our definition of decolonization relates to Canada and British Columbia. We understand that decolonization is the framework of acknowledging and addressing the oppression and subjugation of First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities in what is now known as British Columbia, and unlearning colonial ways of thinking and being. Decolonization relates to Indigenous sovereignty, land, culture, practices, knowledge, and self-determination. It includes a perspective that centers both land-based and urban Indigenous peoples.
For us, decolonization is an ongoing process that begins with learning and amplifying truth about Indigenous history, grows through reciprocal relationships, and includes systemic change related to the non-profit sector. It is about understanding power and looking at where power can be shared.
We are committed to:
Our work related to decolonization will be guided by our organizational values of relational partnerships, creativity, knowledge connection, equity, collective learning, and responsive service.
Decolonization is a long-term journey of learning, accountability, humility, and relationship-building. We are grateful to work with Indigenous and non-Indigenous members, partners, and the broader non-profit sector in this shared responsibility.
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We know there is still much to learn.
This definition does not represent the completion of our work. Rather, it provides a shared foundation for how we understand our role and responsibilities as we continue our Truth and Reconciliation journey.
As we move forward, we remain committed to listening, learning, building relationships, and taking meaningful action. We believe that a stronger, more connected non-profit sector requires ongoing reflection about the systems we operate within and the opportunities we have to contribute to positive change.
We are grateful to everyone who has supported our learning over the years and to the Indigenous leaders, organizations, partners, and community members who continue to share their knowledge, perspectives, and guidance.
Our journey continues, and we remain committed to walking that path with humility, accountability, and care.
A curated guide to key publications on the non-profit sector in BC and Canada
This resource gathers key research publications about BC's and Canada's non-profit sector. Publications are organized by source/organization and grouped by topic area. Click any publication title to access the original source. This catalogue is intended for use by non-profit leaders, researchers, funders, and policy advocates.
Last Updated: March 2026
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National Insights into Non-Profit Organizations, Canadian Survey on Business Conditions, 2023 (March 20, 2024) |
The one-time 2023 National Insights into the Non-Profit Sector provided important sector data updates to what was released in 2003. Note: Statistics Canada announced the CSBC will be discontinued after August 2026. Related:
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Satellite Account of Nonprofit Institutions and Volunteering (Quarterly and annually released) |
Macroeconomic data (employment, revenues, GDP contribution), includes the Human Resources Module (paid workforce) Referenced in:
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General Social Survey – Giving, Volunteering and Participating (Every 5 years) |
Volunteering, including volunteer rates, hours, activity. Latest released data collected in 2023. Referenced in:
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Non-profit organizations in rural and small town Canada, 2022 (Feb 17, 2025) |
Estimates of active NPO counts, revenues, and employment |
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OrgBook: Active Societies (Live database) |
Count of societies (registered non-profits) with active registrations |
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Canadian Survey on Business Conditions (Quarterly) |
Note: Statistics Canada announced this will be discontinued after August 2026. Economic events and issues, perceptions, expectations among private and nonprofit organizations. The 2023 National Insights into the Non-Profit Sector provided important sector data updates from 2003. |
Charity Insights Canada Project (CICP)
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Weekly results reports, quarterly and annual briefs Key themes: |
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Themed dashboards |
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Visuals that highlight data and findings |
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Various research resources, complements Imagine Canada’s policy priorities Front burner priorities (research available under “Learn more” on each page below): |
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Tax filers with charitable donations by income (April 1, 2025; Annual) |
Charitable donation data from individual tax returns |
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Report on the Charities Program 2024–2025 (Oct 1, 2025) |
Operational and regulatory reporting: registration, compliance, directorate operations Related:
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Weekly reports and briefs (Ongoing) |
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Trends in charitable giving from 2018-2024; eighth edition
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Generosity in Canada: Generosity Index 2025 (Dec 2025) |
Uses tax data to compare giving patterns across jurisdictions. Note: interpretations of this index are contested in the sector.
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The Status of Canadian Fundraising 2025: A Benchmarking Report for the AI Era |
Benchmarking on fundraising performance and attitudes toward AI/tech in fundraising.
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Social return on investment figures are sometimes useful. Below are citable figures from Canadian non-profit organizations and research. Note that SROI values are not directly comparable due to methodology and assumptions. If using any of the figures below, it’s worth citing the source and methodology.
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Food Banks Canada (2025) |
$7.76 : $1 An independent third-party estimate by Constellation Consulting Group found that Food Banks Canada generated $7.76 in social value for every $1 donated. The full methodology report has not been made publicly available. |
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Calgary Food Bank (2024) |
$9.84 : $1 An independent third-party estimate by Constellation Consulting Group found that for every dollar donated to the Calgary Food Bank, the organization generates $9.84 in social value and potential societal savings. The study involved semi-structured interviews with 31 clients and a survey of 1,000 participants, with outcomes including improved food security, mental health, and financial stability. |
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Inn from the Cold (Family Homelessness Prevention, Alberta) (2023) |
$6.79 : $1 An updated SROI analysis conducted by Constellation Consulting Group found that for every dollar invested, Inn from the Cold creates nearly $6.79 in social and economic value, experienced by families, governments, landlords, volunteers, and communities. The analysis used conservative estimates to avoid overclaiming. |
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$5.54 : $1 In 2021/22, a $3.5 million investment generated an estimated $19.6 million in value across wellbeing outcomes, workforce quality, and system efficiencies in healthcare, education, justice, and policing. |
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People First: A Portrait of Canada's Nonprofit Workforce (Apr 2025) |
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Weekly reports and briefs (Ongoing) |
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2025 Canadian Nonprofit Sector Salary & Benefits Report (2025) |
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2025 Changemaker Wellbeing Index (May 22, 2025) |
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Insights to Impact 2024 (2024) |
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What We're Hearing: Summer 2025 Report (October 2025) |
National engagement findings feeding into the National Volunteer Action Strategy
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Bridging the Digital Divide: A Strategic Vision for Canada's Nonprofit Sector (March 2025) |
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Addressing the Digital Skills Gap in Canadian Nonprofits: Designing Options for Solutions (Jan 2025) |
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The State of Artificial Intelligence Adoption in Canadian Nonprofits (Jan 2026, with Imagine Canada) |
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On Thursday, April 23, 2026, the Province's Special Committee to Review the Lobbyists Transparency Act (LTA) completed their review and released their report of recommendations. Since 2020, when the LTA was significantly updated, Vantage Point has been engaging on this legislation, which includes registration and reporting requirements for organizations engaging public office holders, on behalf of the non-profit sector.
Vantage Point and the BC Non-Profit Network (BCNN) are very pleased to see our sector’s critical advocacy reflected in the report’s recommendations. This includes recommendations from the Committee to simplify and clarify reportable communications, remove the requirement to report meeting requests, and to amend and simplify gift rules – all of which directly reflect Vantage Point and the BCNN’s advocacy on this issue, as well as voices from the rest of the non-profit sector.
The message from the non-profit sector has been clear: The LTA’s current reporting requirements are both onerous and confusing, discouraging non-profits from engaging with elected and non-elected officials. In a BCNN survey, 75% of non-profit respondents agreed that the LTA impacts their overall ability to engage with the BC Government. Taken together, the Committee’s recommendations would significantly ameliorate the challenges our sector faces with the LTA’s requirements - and we are pleased our sector's strong voice has been heard by the Committee.
These recommendations are not yet substantive changes to the LTA's requirements. Vantage Point and the BCNN are eager to continue working with the government and our sector partners to incorporate these recommendations into legislated, permanent changes to the LTA, and we will keep our partners appraised of ongoing work. Our written submission for this review and a transcript of our appearance before the Committee is available below. The Committee’s full report and recommendations are below as well. We look forward to continued work on this file, and permanent improvements to the LTA.
Vantage Point | BC Non-Profit Network Submission to the Special Committee for Review | September 2025: https://lnkd.in/gCPvu8ki
Transcript of Vantage Point's appearance before the Committee: https://lnkd.in/gAbpcq77
Committee's full report and recommendations: https://lnkd.in/gMkdYfTX
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If you have questions or feedback on Vantage Point and the BC Non-Profit Network's initiatives related to government relations and advocacy, please contact our team at engagement@thevantagepoint.ca
by Zahra Esmail, CEO at Vantage Point
We are living in a time when commitments to climate action and social inequality are being challenged and, in some cases, rolled back. The energy behind the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted by every United Nations Member State in 2015, is beginning to fade in some spaces. In turn, the goals themselves can feel less urgent than they did a decade ago.
This is exactly the moment for civil society to step forward.
Non-profits are one of the primary ways these goals move from aspiration to action. Rooted in community, building trust over decades, and stepping into gaps that neither government nor the private sector can fill, non-profits play a critical role in translating global goals into local reality.
At Vantage Point, as an organization that serves and connects non-profits across BC, we are deeply committed to that work. The SDGs are not abstract to us. They reflect what our community is already doing every day.
This moment calls for greater visibility and renewed energy around these commitments. We are ready to do our part and to bring our community along with us.
At the same time, we’ll be honest. Until recently, we had not fully reckoned with what this means in practice for our own organization.
When we embedded climate action into our current strategic plan, A Stronger, Brighter Future, we made our commitment tangible in three ways:
That commitment, in turn, sharpened our focus on the Sustainable Development Goals.
Building on this, our Board of Directors, who championed the climate commitment in our strategic plan, established a Climate Change Committee to take this work further. In partnership with senior staff, the Committee reviewed all 17 SDGs and identified where Vantage Point is meaningfully positioned to contribute and to be accountable.
We landed on eight priority goals:
You will notice Climate Action on that list not as a standalone effort, but woven throughout our work. These goals are interconnected by design. Reduced inequalities and climate action are not parallel paths; they are deeply linked. The communities most impacted by climate change are the same communities facing systemic inequities. And the non-profits doing the hardest work are often addressing both at once.
For each of these eight goals, we have identified specific actions we will track and measure. Beginning with our next annual report, you will see SDG icons integrated throughout. These markers will highlight where our work connects to the broader global framework and will hold us accountable to showing up in those areas in a meaningful way.
We are also inviting our entire community to join us in this work. If you are a non-profit in BC, you are likely already contributing to these goals in ways both big and small.
Climate action is shared work. It belongs to governments, large corporations, non-profits of every size, and each of us as individuals within our communities.
By building our understanding of the SDGs, we strengthen our role as a sector that leads by example.
Together, we can make a meaningful difference.
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If you have questions or feedback on Vantage Point’s work related to climate action and the SDGs, please contact our CEO, Zahra Esmail, at zesmail at thevantagepoint.ca.
Stay tuned for our upcoming blog post highlighting our progress on SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.
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Vantage Point is pleased to share our new policy paper, Funding What Works: Strengthening BC’s Non-Profit Sector Through Multi-Year and Core Funding. Developed to support our continued collective advocacy, following BC Non-Profit Recognition Day in October and Stretched Thin: 2025 State of BC's Non-Profit Sector Report, this paper builds on the priorities and experiences shared by non-profit leaders across British Columbia and strengthens the case for meaningful funding policy change.
The BC Non-Profit Network has identified two key policy recommendations that can help address the challenges identified through , improve service and program stability, and drive long-term community impact:
These policy recommendations have strong support across the sector and levels of government. They are solution-oriented, aiming to help address structural issues affecting the outcomes of the sector as a whole.
The paper provides essential background on the current non-profit funding landscape, examines the evidence for expanding multi-year funding, and makes the case for recognizing and resourcing administrative capacity and core expenses. We outline practical implementation options that governments and funders can adopt to better support the sustainability and impact of non-profit organizations..
We hope this resource supports your organization’s own advocacy efforts and helps advance a more effective, stable, and well-resourced non-profit sector across British Columbia.
FREE RESOURCES
For many years, Vantage Point has been committed to learning, listening, and taking action in support of Truth and Reconciliation.
As a settler-led organization working to strengthen British Columbia’s non-profit sector, we recognize that reconciliation is not a destination. It is an ongoing responsibility that requires humility, reflection, relationship-building, and a willingness to continually learn and evolve.
Our journey began decades ago…
This resource gathers key research publications about BC’s and Canada’s non-profit sector. Publications are organized by source or organization and grouped by topic area.
Vantage Point and the BC Non-Profit Network (BCNN) are very pleased to see our sector’s critical advocacy reflected in the Province’s Special Committee Review of the Lobbyists Transparency Act (LTA)