A Formal Network for BC’s Non-Profit Sector
What is our Feasibility Study?
Vantage Point is currently undertaking a feasibility study to assess the sector’s interest to build a formal provincial network and to identify the types of activities the network could embark on together to achieve greater impact and visibility for sector.
Here in BC, there are over 29,0001 non-profit societies registered. The sector provides more than 86,000 jobs and mobilizes volunteers across the province, offering connection to community, work experience, and skills-building.
Non-profits make a direct contribution of more than $6.4B2 to BC’s GDP.
But we don’t have an organized way to showcase our contribution to the economy, social infrastructure, or service delivery.
Chambers of Commerce, Boards of Trade, professional associations, and labour groups all have a strong and visible presence at decision-making tables in the province. Is it time for BC’s non-profit sector to form a similar, formal, provincial network?
1 BC Corporate Registry, December 20, 2020.
2 Statistics Canada, 2020.
Feasibility Study: Community Conversations
Through this opportunity, Vantage Point met with organizations across sub-sectors and geographic regions:
- Online Community Conversations (Oct 2022 – Feb 2023)
- Monday, October 24 – Vantage Point Knowledge Philanthropists
- Wednesday, October 26 – Vantage Point Members
- Wednesday, November 2 – Provincially Mandated Organizations & Umbrella Organizations
- Monday, November 21 – Provincially Mandated Organizations & Umbrella Organizations
- Wednesday, November 23 – BC Mainland/Southwest Region Non-Profits
- Tuesday, November 29 – Kootenay Non-Profits
- Wednesday, November 30 – Vancouver Island Non-Profits
- Monday, December 5 – Okanagan Non-Profits
- Wednesday, January 11 – Northern BC Non-Profits
- Friday, January 13 – Thompson-Nicola-Cariboo Non-Profits
- Tuesday, January 17 – Kootenay Non-Profits
- Thursday, January 19 – Indigenous Led & Serving Non-Profits
- Tuesday, January 24 – Northern BC Non-Profits
- Monday, February 6 – Open Call
- In-person community conversations (Nov 2022 – Jan 2023)
- Tuesday, November 1 – Provincially Mandated Organizations & Umbrella Organizations
- Thursday, November 24 – Lower Mainland
- Tuesday January 10 – Prince George & surrounding area
- Tuesday, January 17 – Kamloops & surrounding area
- Thursday, February 2 – Victoria & surrounding area
BC Non-Profit Network Feasibility Study Survey
After a series of conversations with different regions and groups throughout BC, we invited all non-profit leaders in BC to participate in a short survey. The purpose of this survey is to capture the voices and perspectives of non-profit leaders around the idea of forming a formal network for non-profits in BC.
This survey was open from February 7 – March 3, 2023.
The survey questions can be found here.
Next Steps
Vantage Point will release a report to the sector in Spring of 2023, based on learnings through the conversations and survey. We will then work with stakeholders to propose next steps regarding potential governance structures and priorities should there be appetite to move forward with a BC Non-Profit Network.
Coming Together for Stronger Communities Across BC
Through the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us were reminded that in times of uncertainty and instability, people turn to local supports and services. The non-profit sector balances the gap between the private sector and governments, by delivering what each of these two sectors do not.
In every region, our organizations provided a crucial level of support in terms of access to food, housing, and mental health supports, by supporting victims of domestic violence, providing recreation, culture, and community-building, and core activities that kept pressure off government health and social services.
It was a trial by fire that showed how well-equipped the sector is to deliver in emergencies, to fill in the gaps in government and private sector services, and to add meaning and hope to families and communities in a time of loss.
Our sector learned a lot through the experience. We may be well positioned to share our expertise with policy makers, funders, private sector leaders, media, and the public in a much more organized and coordinated way.
Sign up to receive more information about this project here.