Over the last week, a small collective of non-profit organizations shared their stories of impact in celebration of British Columbia’s first ever BC Non-Profit Recognition Day. We heard how remarkable individuals are channeling knowledge, skill, and passionate energy directly into meeting a wide variety of social needs in our province.  

These stories included Alžběta Sabová, whose passion for holistic nutrition led to her coordinating food security programs addressing a problem affecting almost 17% of British Columbians. We read how the YMCA’s facilities, programs, and mentoring relationships changed the course of Tyler’s life and provided a much-needed community for a youth with a challenging childhood. Now, Tyler provides that mentoring for other youth in need of leadership and community. 

The stories of impact we shared are of dedicated people helping people. 

Without a doubt, non-profits, fueled by passionate and skilled people committed to creating positive change, are integral to the social and economic fabric of our province.  

But who helps them? Who provides support and resources to the non-profit organizations providing direct services to those most in need in our communities?  

Many times, it is other non-profits. Another layer of the non-profit workforce.  

Non-Profits Helping Non-Profits

A different type of non-profit organizations and teams of individuals directly help other non-profits through knowledge-sharing, education, providing resources, and supporting capacity-building.  They support the people and teams that support others. The impact that non-profits provide in our society, even amongst each other, is deep and multi-layered. 

Take for example, your local library. Libraries have always been a place to gain and share vast knowledge from a worldwide selection of books. Whether topics of food insecurity or youth leadership, these pages inspire the Alžbětas and Tylers of the world with ways to grow their service programs and mentoring skills. Many libraries also provide access to technology and spaces for focus groups, board meetings, and community programs for organizations, like the YMCA where Tyler provides mentoring. In the case of the Bowen Island Public Library, their free resources include a Library of Things that includes bird-watching kits for the nature specialist groups, memory care kits for caregivers for people experiencing cognitive decline, and a seed library for the horticulture enthusiasts operating community gardens. 

Libraries, and community resource organizations like them, provide learning resources, practical tools, physical spaces, and other vital supports that help the people driving non-profits achieve greater growth and deeper impact for the communities they serve. 

The story doesn’t end there. Some organizations exist exclusively to provide supports to other non-profit organizations. To continue the library story, the BC Libraries Co-operative articulates its mission as simply, “we help libraries help people.” 

At Vantage Point we convene, connect, and equip leaders to lift organizational capacity and elevate the non-profit sector, including organizations like the library co-operatives. As we start building a collaborative network in British Columbia, supportive of all non-profits, we continue to provide capacity building, education, knowledge sharing, engagement, and advocacy support to the people helping people and the non-profits helping non-profits.   

Our Collective Strength

We know that working together and providing support for each other is crucial to the impact non-profits create in our world. Our 2023 State of BC’s Non-Profit Sector report: Safety Net shared the voices of individuals speaking to the importance of capacity strengthening, knowledge-sharing, and collaborative efforts, as a key element of what helps make their organization thrive and allows them to create meaningful impact: 

“Collaborations help us survive and make us stronger. Being an alliance, we are not a typical organization, and we rely on other organizations to exist.” 

“Continued support and connections from current and new networks and valued professional development.” 

“I am excited by the new partnerships that we have built and the awakening of the public consciousness to the systemic inequities in our society. I'm not sure that genie can be put back in the box. I look forward to collaborations and opportunities to work collectively.” 

It is clear that non-profits provide significant support to others and yet need more support. Non-profits also need the support of people and groups outside of the sector to see the impact non-profits make and provide core resourcing to help us create deeper change. We are excited to explore the future of more collaborative work with a variety of partnerships to create a stronger non-profit sector together! 

Celebrating our teams, volunteers, and partners

At Vantage Point, we also rely on our own team of non-profit champions. This BC Non-Profit Day week we wanted to especially acknowledge a small group of the hard-working individuals that help us achieve our mission each day. Through the welcoming invitations and empathic understanding that Alina provides, we work with a particularly skilled and unique faculty of Knowledge Philanthropists who give deep added value to our work in so many ways. We call on Jenessa’s active listening skills to gather important resources and relevant news to inform our work; which includes sector reports that are often thanks to the care and analytical skills that Joyce brings. We depend on Olivia's keen eye for detail and clarity to ensure the client service is executed to meet the unique need of the organization and the people in it. The customer care that Leyla and Bethany offer in coordinating our education programs, carefully developed by Tamana’s deep knowledge and thoughtful planning, ensures that participants achieve the growth they seek when they attend a workshop or lab. Then we look to Dillon's marketing skill and tech savviness to ensure that the people our programs benefit know how to access them and that we understand our audiences to offer more meaningful messages and services.  

With the skill and passion of these and the rest of our team members, alongside the incredible community of individuals and organizations supporting our work, we are better able to help non-profit organizations and leaders help their communities.  

We are grateful for and celebrate all of them this BC Non-Profit Day! 

To close this celebration week, we want to say that we are most proud to work alongside all of you - the many organizations doing the challenging work in our province. We are inspired and driven by the possibilities of a provincial non-profit network and the opportunities for stronger support for all organizations – the ones who help other organizations and the ones who help the people with the greatest need.  

We can’t wait to see what we can do together! 

For Immediate Release
October 30, 2023

Vancouver, BC - October 30 has been proclaimed BC Non-Profit Day - to honour the impactful work of non-profit organizations and gain a deeper understanding of their vital role in supporting communities.

This special day serves to highlight the sector’s significant but often overlooked contribution to the social and economic fabric of our province - and celebrate frontline champions who work for charities and non-profits in our communities and make a difference with their time, talent, imagination, and skills.

BC community-based non-profits deliver essential programs and services to support children, youth, families, seniors, and offer local solutions to complex social issues like food security, housing, childcare, racial discrimination, and emergency response.

The sector’s inherent strength is its grassroots proximity and responsiveness to community needs. As a result, they are well positioned to help inform government policies, programs, and funding decisions. 

The BC Non-Profit Day initiative is being spearheaded by a collective of BC non-profit organizations and the Bhayana Family Foundation to raise the profile of the sector and motivate people interested in careers dedicated to advancing social change. 

There are approximately 31,000 non-profit organizations in BC, according to Stats Canada (including community, business, and government non-profits) representing 335,000 jobs and a $28 billion contribution to the provincial economy. The community non-profit sector alone employs 87,000 people and contributes $4.39 billion to BC’s economy. 

Quotes: 

“As a provincial organization collaborating with a network of fellow non-profit partners, we recognize the pivotal role this sector plays in strengthening our communities. We take pride in acknowledging the dedicated efforts of our staff and volunteers, who tirelessly work to create a positive impact on the lives of vulnerable people throughout the province.” 

- Michael McKnight, President and CEO, United Way British Columbia 

“BC’s non-profit organizations, no matter their size, scale, and mandate, prioritize and contribute to community wellbeing. Embedded in the fabric of each community they serve, BC non-profits respond to local needs with knowledge, compassion, and tremendous efficiency, ensuring social challenges are met with local solutions.” 

- Erika Stenson - Executive Director, United Way Southern Vancouver Island 

“From housing affordability and climate action to reconciliation and economic development, British Columbia’s non-profits work every day to build community-led solutions to our greatest challenges. The more we come together to support and scale these organizations, the stronger their impact. It’s truly a case of 1 + 1 = 3.” 

- Genesa Greening - CEO, Vancity Community Foundation 

“BC’s non-profits provide vital services and support to communities throughout the province. Each day, dedicated staff and volunteers work tirelessly to address diverse challenges and help build healthy, vibrant, equitable, and inclusive communities. BC Non-Profit Day is a celebration of the positive impact they make."

- Kevin McCort - CEO and President, Vancouver Foundation 

“Charitable organizations play a critical role in our province by delivering vital services to our communities. The BC Non-Profit Day proclamation further demonstrates the importance of a sustainable and thriving sector that continues to make our region vibrant. Thanks to all the staff and supporters of the sector who are making an impact!” 

- Sandra Richardson, - CEO, Victoria Foundation 

“As non-profits that deliver a wide range of programs and services, YMCAs of BC know the positive contribution the sector makes in supporting determinants of health and wellbeing in people. The collective work of all non-profits plays a vital role in helping people overcome obstacles and strengthening communities.” 

- Derek Gent - CEO YMCA-YWCA of Vancouver Island (on behalf of YMCAs of BC) 

“As the costs of essentials like housing and food continue to rapidly rise, women and families are facing increasing pressures to their safety and stability. YWCA Metro Vancouver, along with other non-profits, provide essential services like safe, affordable housing, early learning and childcare, employment and training opportunities, and programs that help families and women live free from violence. Our advocacy focuses on creating systemic change for just and equitable policies to ensure that everyone is safe and has opportunities to thrive." 

- Erin Seeley - CEO of YWCA Metro Vancouver 

“In many ways, the work of non-profits has never been more important because of the increasing challenges facing British Columbians. We acknowledge and salute the non-profit sector who are on the frontlines of delivering services and support that is unparalleled.” 

- Zahra Esmail - CEO, Vantage Point 

“Charities and non-profits are at the heart of every community. Their remarkable staff and volunteers literally transform lives. However, their work flies below the radar and that’s why this day is so important. The BC Non-Profit Day will help make these invisible champions, visible.” 

- Raksha M. Bhayana- CEO and Co-founder, Bhayana Family Foundation 

“Non-profits are the face of social supports, poverty reduction, and community empowerment in B.C. Non-Profit Day is another key step in celebrating and supporting the non-profits that people in British Columbia rely on. We will continue to take action to create conditions for our partners to sustain, and grow, so together we can deliver even better services than before.” 

- Honourable Megan Dykeman - Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development and Non-Profits 

For more information about BC Non-Profit Day, please visit: bcnonprofitday.ca 

For more information about the Non-Profit Think Tank partners, please visit: 
United Way British Columbia 
United Way Southern Vancouver Island 
Vantage Point 
Vancity Community Foundation 
Vancouver Foundation 
Victoria Foundation 
YMCA 
YWCA 
Bhayana Foundation 

-30- 

Media Contact: 
Kelly Gleeson 
kgleeson@lbmg.ca 
604-240-6231