By Vantage Point 

Non-profits play a vital role in our communities, offering essential services and support to those in need. However, these organizations often face significant challenges, especially when it comes to leadership stability. According to Vantage Point’s 2024 State of BC’s Non-Profit Sector Survey, nearly half of the respondents reported increasing resources spent on staff recruitment and retention. Key challenges include board recruitment, board retention, and succession planning.

The Need for Strong Leadership

Strong leadership is crucial for the sustainability and success of non-profits. Clear roles and responsibilities, effective succession and recruitment practices, inclusive board cultures, and strong financial governance are essential. Addressing these challenges ensures continuity and effectiveness in non-profit leadership, which in turn supports the broader community.

To tackle these challenges, Vantage Point offers Bursary Programs that provide flexible access to essential educational offerings and customized support for non-profit boards and key leaders.

Thanks to partnerships, like those we currently hold with the City of Vancouver, City of New Westminster, and Vancouver Coastal Health, these programs benefit organizations across British Columbia.

Bursary Programs allow even the smallest and most financially challenged non-profits to access valuable resources and support.

Through bursary support, South Vancouver Family Place was able to access support for strategic planning. Executive Director Kimberley Berger shared, “The Vantage Point Strategic Planning session was very well organized, thorough and presented in a manner that both staff and board could easily understand. Being a new ED, it helped provide clarity and vision for me to move forward with the Board and Staff. This was less daunting than we expected. We are super energized and happy to have been able to participate.”

Aliya Amarshi, Managing Director at Carousel Theatre for Young People added, “[With bursary funding received,] Vantage Point provided us an opportunity to have open discussions and make strategic decisions. We now have the structure in place to effectively grow. We have tools to draw from to continue actualizing our plan. It’s early days yet, but we are confidently making sometimes difficult decisions to realize our mission”.

Join us in supporting BC’s non-profit leaders! Your financial contribution will help build a stronger sector and create a lasting impact.

Vantage Point’s Bursary Programs

How It Works 

• Annual Fund: Funders or capacity builders provide Vantage Point with an annual fund (ranging from $5K to $50K) to support eligible non-profits.
• Eligibility and Administration: The funder determines eligibility, and Vantage Point administers the fund. Non-profits can then register for programs or services, with fees covered by the bursary fund.
• Approval Process: Funders can choose a high-touch approach (requiring approval before registration) or a low-touch approach (pre-approved list of eligible organizations and services).

Impact and Reach

The impact of Vantage Point’s Bursary Program is significant:

• $5,000 Investment: 5-10 organizations served through 9 engagements (workshops and labs).
• $10,000 Investment: 40 organizations served through 50-60 engagements (workshops).
• $50,000 Investment: 50+ organizations served through 80-90 engagements (workshops, labs, and consulting).

Services and Costs

Vantage Point offers a range of services to meet the diverse needs of non-profits:

• Workshops and Multi-Day Labs: Pre-scheduled virtual or in-person sessions open to all ($139/workshop – $599-$2999/lab).
• Standard Training: Facilitated workshops for specific organizations or groups (from $900).
• Custom Training: Tailored programs for boards or staff teams (from $1200).
• Facilitation: Strategic and planning facilitation (from $1200).
• Consulting Services: Organizational assessment, lifecycle and capacity planning, ED transition supports, governance restructuring (fee based on project scope).
• Membership: Access to discounts and sector development initiatives (1-year organizational membership $100).

Partner with Us

We invite funders and capacity builders to partner with Vantage Point to support non-profits in BC. By establishing a bursary fund, you can empower organizations to overcome capacity challenges and thrive in their missions. Together, we can ensure that non-profits have the knowledge, resources, and support they need to lead effectively and sustainably.

For more information or to discuss partnership opportunities, please contact us. We look forward to working together to strengthen the non-profit sector and create lasting impact in our communities.