Latest / Your Estate Matters / Episode 50 - How the West Vancouver Foundation Transforms Local Lives with Denise Howell

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Episode 50 - How the West Vancouver Foundation Transforms Local Lives with Denise Howell · Your Estate Matters

• 0:02
  [SPEAKER_01]: Hello, and welcome to your state matters with your host, my colleague Greg Bernand, and myself Nicole Garton of Heritage Trust.
• 0:09
  [SPEAKER_00]: Your state matters is a podcast dedicated to everything a state, including building and preserving your legacy.
• 0:16
  [SPEAKER_01]: If it's a state related, we'll be talking about it.
• 0:19
  [SPEAKER_01]: We're having the conversations today that will help Canadians protect their families, their assets, and their legacies tomorrow.
• 0:33
  [SPEAKER_00]: With us today on your estate matters is Denise Hall, executive director of grants and communications at the West Vancouver Foundation.
• 0:41
  [SPEAKER_00]: With a deep commitment to community development, Denise plays a pivotal role in connecting donors with impactful local initiatives, working campuses, overseeing grant programs, fostering community engagement, and leading communication strategies that highlight the
• 1:07
  [SPEAKER_00]: Denise, welcome to your estate matters.
• 1:09
  [SPEAKER_00]: To start us off, could you tell us a little bit about your role at the West Vancouver Foundation?
• 1:14
  [SPEAKER_00]: And what do you do this work?
• 1:15
  [SPEAKER_02]: Certainly.
• 1:16
  [SPEAKER_02]: First of all, thank you for having me.
• 1:18
  [SPEAKER_02]: And yeah, my role now at the foundation is co-executive director.
• 1:22
  [SPEAKER_02]: So there's two of us in charge.
• 1:24
  [SPEAKER_02]: We're small team.
• 1:24
  [SPEAKER_02]: There's five of us part-time.
• 1:27
  [SPEAKER_02]: And what
• 1:28
  [SPEAKER_02]: really drew it me to it was the idea of being able to give back as part of my job.
• 1:34
  [SPEAKER_02]: I've worked a lot of corporate jobs marketing was my background and you know I would have those thoughts of why am I doing this.
• 1:41
  [SPEAKER_02]: You know I worked for Jim Patterson for a while.
• 1:44
  [SPEAKER_02]: He's got enough dollars.
• 1:45
  [SPEAKER_02]: What can I do to make a difference while I'm making a living so I had volunteered in the past and so when I saw this opportunity I was really excited about it plus it's in my community so
• 1:57
  [SPEAKER_02]: Right.
• 1:57
  [SPEAKER_01]: So for our listeners that aren't familiar, can you tell us a little bit about the West Vancouver Foundation?
• 2:02
  [SPEAKER_02]: Yeah, certainly.
• 2:03
  [SPEAKER_02]: So there's actually over 200 community foundations in Canada.
• 2:07
  [SPEAKER_02]: The first one started in Winnipeg over 100 years ago now.
• 2:12
  [SPEAKER_02]: And so really a community foundation in general is there to make the community better.
• 2:17
  [SPEAKER_02]: Our goal is to help create a place where
• 2:24
  [SPEAKER_02]: So we're doing that for the North Shore.
• 2:27
  [SPEAKER_02]: We basically support charities and nonprofits that have programs that help make it a more connected place and help bring people along with that.
• 2:37
  [SPEAKER_00]: Okay, so people don't realize this is a cross from Vancouver.
• 2:41
  [SPEAKER_00]: I'm in North Shore and do you just serve the entire North Shore?
• 2:44
  [SPEAKER_02]: Yes, so our names West Vancouver Foundation, but yeah, we definitely serve the North Shore.
• 2:48
  [SPEAKER_02]: Most of the charities are located in North Vancouver, but there's some Vancouver charities that have programs on the North Shore, so North Vancouver West Vancouver and Squamish Nation as well.
• 2:58
  [SPEAKER_02]: And so we support those as well as long as the programs on the North Shore.
• 3:02
  [SPEAKER_00]: Perfect.
• 3:03
  [SPEAKER_00]: How does a community foundation like the West Vancouver Foundation differ from
• 3:09
  [SPEAKER_02]: good question.
• 3:10
  [SPEAKER_02]: So it is quite a bit different.
• 3:12
  [SPEAKER_02]: It's often hard to communicate how we're different, but essentially we're not running our own programs.
• 3:18
  [SPEAKER_02]: So we're supporting those charities that are running programs to support people.
• 3:22
  [SPEAKER_02]: So you know seniors, health and wellness, kids, sports, things like that.
• 3:27
  [SPEAKER_02]: But we have very limited programs ourselves.
• 3:30
  [SPEAKER_02]: We do have a youthful entropy, council committee for kids.
• 3:34
  [SPEAKER_02]: We do some research and insights, some programs for charities.
• 3:37
  [SPEAKER_02]: But for the most part, our biggest impact comes from supporting charities, nonprofits on the North Shore.
• 3:43
  [SPEAKER_02]: So it's a little tricky at times to communicate that because we don't necessarily have an ask for a specific cause, individual cause.
• 3:51
  [SPEAKER_02]: We're supporting really all needs across the North Shore.
• 3:54
  [SPEAKER_00]: You can see basically gathering assets in your funding foundation.
• 3:58
  [SPEAKER_00]: You look at what brings you to fund.
• 4:01
  [SPEAKER_00]: Yes.
• 4:02
  [SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, very much so.
• 4:03
  [SPEAKER_01]: So can you give us an example of how you support this local initiative and how things like donor advice funds and endowments play a role?
• 4:12
  [SPEAKER_02]: Certainly.
• 4:13
  [SPEAKER_02]: So for the most part, our biggest impact is through our granting programs.
• 4:17
  [SPEAKER_02]: So we run different granting programs throughout the year.
• 4:19
  [SPEAKER_02]: Charities, nonprofits will apply to those programs.
• 4:23
  [SPEAKER_02]: And we have different criteria that we're looking for.
• 4:26
  [SPEAKER_02]: Our biggest one is community grants.
• 4:28
  [SPEAKER_02]: So that is about creating connection and belonging.
• 4:30
  [SPEAKER_02]: So again,
• 4:31
  [SPEAKER_02]: pretty wide open.
• 4:32
  [SPEAKER_02]: It can range from the arts because somebody might be feeling lonely and needs to get out and arts are a great way to do that.
• 4:38
  [SPEAKER_02]: It could be that somebody has some mental health issues and needs support that way in order to feel back to normal.
• 4:46
  [SPEAKER_02]: So, so the needs range, but it's generally through our granting programs.
• 4:50
  [SPEAKER_02]: We have a volunteer grant committee that vets those
• 4:58
  [SPEAKER_02]: And that's how we determine which ones will fund.
• 5:01
  [SPEAKER_02]: So then that's where the funds come into place.
• 5:03
  [SPEAKER_02]: So we have over 130 funds at the foundation with different purposes, with different criteria, and also different involvement.
• 5:11
  [SPEAKER_02]: So some are open to the greatest need in the community.
• 5:15
  [SPEAKER_02]: Some will work with the donors.
• 5:18
  [SPEAKER_02]: They might select to have part of their funds or the interest from the fund go to a specific charity.
• 5:27
  [SPEAKER_02]: or sometimes we'll work with them and make recommendations to them on ones that might be important to them.
• 5:33
  [SPEAKER_02]: They can determine it.
• 5:35
  [SPEAKER_02]: And then there's others where they will tell us they might have a communication each year to say here's the charities I'd like to support from my fund.
• 5:41
  [SPEAKER_02]: So there's a wide range of ways to do it, but we definitely will work with all of the donors to see what works best.
• 5:48
  [SPEAKER_00]: for them.
• 5:49
  [SPEAKER_00]: You've kind of alluded to it, but what are some examples of types of guns the foundation is made in recent years that have had a tangible impact on the community if you can think of a specific case or two?
• 6:00
  [SPEAKER_02]: Yeah, like I say, we grant in a lot of different areas from sort of we just had the culture fest last weekend.
• 6:07
  [SPEAKER_02]: So we granted to that one.
• 6:08
  [SPEAKER_02]: So that's a free arts and culture festival with food trucks entertainment.
• 6:12
  [SPEAKER_02]: We grant to lately a lot of youth programs.
• 6:16
  [SPEAKER_02]: So we see some that might be for the homeless shelter on the North Shore as well as programs that might help vulnerable youth.
• 6:24
  [SPEAKER_02]: get into post secondary to navigate that system and program and it's tough enough if you have full supports, but let alone if you don't have those supports.
• 6:33
  [SPEAKER_02]: Another one around you that I really like is there's a program from plea community services that's going into the schools and talking to the kids about.
• 6:42
  [SPEAKER_02]: sexting and trafficking and things like that, issues that people don't think would necessarily live on the North Shore but are very much there.
• 6:50
  [SPEAKER_02]: So a lot of times it's these issues that people aren't aware of even exist.
• 6:55
  [SPEAKER_02]: So it sort of has a big wide range.
• 6:58
  [SPEAKER_02]: We have a lot of programs around seniors, the population, especially in West Vancouver is quite high with seniors.
• 7:04
  [SPEAKER_02]: And so we have different caregiver programs, meal programs, shuttle buses to get them around.
• 7:09
  [SPEAKER_02]: So we see a wide range, some sporting ones.
• 7:14
  [SPEAKER_02]: We've seen recently the special Olympics on the North Shore, just recently we've granted to a lacrosse program in Squamish Nation and Slaywood, Tuth Nation, so that's quite the range, quite lovely.
• 7:26
  [SPEAKER_01]: So if you're a local resident and you want to get involved, what are some ideas like you're giving or volunteering or partnering?
• 7:33
  [SPEAKER_02]: Yes, so all of those work, giving, we have some people that might donate sort of as a one-off.
• 7:39
  [SPEAKER_02]: We do have a giving campaign we do in the fall.
• 7:42
  [SPEAKER_02]: We select 10 different charities, typically from a wide range of causes.
• 7:47
  [SPEAKER_02]: And when a community member donates, we match those funds with some of our funds.
• 7:52
  [SPEAKER_02]: Some of our donors put their funds forward to 10,000.
• 7:55
  [SPEAKER_02]: So there's one-off ways to give people can give to our granting fund as well.
• 8:04
  [SPEAKER_02]: So usually if they have a cause that's close to their heart or they just want to support the community that they're passionate about, they'll open a fund.
• 8:12
  [SPEAKER_02]: Those ones sort of start at 10,000 and there's no limit to what they can go to.
• 8:18
  [SPEAKER_02]: So those are sort of the ways financially volunteers.
• 8:21
  [SPEAKER_02]: Like I say, we have five part-time staff, but we have over 40 volunteers on a regular basis.
• 8:26
  [SPEAKER_02]: We have a variety of committees, our board is all volunteers.
• 8:30
  [SPEAKER_02]: So that's a nice way to get involved.
• 8:32
  [SPEAKER_02]: That's with the foundation.
• 8:33
  [SPEAKER_02]: Most of the charities we work with also have a huge roster of volunteers.
• 8:38
  [SPEAKER_02]: So again, if you haven't volunteered, that's a good way to look at it.
• 8:42
  [SPEAKER_02]: And then partnerships, we do research each year and publish, we call it a vital signs report.
• 8:49
  [SPEAKER_02]: Sort of a community check-up.
• 8:50
  [SPEAKER_02]: It helps us stay in touch with where those needs are in the community and how the community's doing, some of the issues, some of the highlights.
• 9:02
  [SPEAKER_02]: And then there's that was other opportunities as well for partnerships.
• 9:05
  [SPEAKER_02]: We do try to even sort of convene some of our charity partners to make sure everyone's, you know, keeping in touch with what's going on and how they can support each other and just be stronger together.
• 9:17
  [SPEAKER_02]: So there's all of those opportunities as well.
• 9:20
  [SPEAKER_00]: People have visited your website.
• 9:21
  [SPEAKER_00]: Are they able to see all of the foundations with your funding currently?
• 9:25
  [SPEAKER_02]: We do list on our website's quite extensive.
• 9:28
  [SPEAKER_02]: There's a lot of information there.
• 9:30
  [SPEAKER_02]: And yet, if you go on to the specific grants, we list which organizations and projects we funded.
• 9:35
  [SPEAKER_02]: We also have an impact page.
• 9:37
  [SPEAKER_02]: So after a grantee receives a grant through our grant programs, they send an impact report back.
• 9:42
  [SPEAKER_02]: So it just says, you know, what impact did that grant have?
• 9:45
  [SPEAKER_02]: What was the program able to accomplish?
• 9:47
  [SPEAKER_02]: So we put some of the highlights on there as well.
• 9:49
  [SPEAKER_02]: So people can really see.
• 9:51
  [SPEAKER_00]: or let an existing organization that's not an in contact with you before, would they be able to make an application on that?
• 9:58
  [SPEAKER_00]: Or if they were looking for funding, like a proposal?
• 10:01
  [SPEAKER_02]: We have three main grant programs, and so depending on what time of year, their mayor may not be a grant program open, and then we have smaller grants that are also open, microgrants to $1,000.
• 10:12
  [SPEAKER_02]: I mean, another one we have for West Vancouver residents is the neighborhood small grant program, so that one's actually,
• 10:18
  [SPEAKER_02]: individuals.
• 10:19
  [SPEAKER_02]: It's the only one we have that way.
• 10:20
  [SPEAKER_02]: Normally, we're only granting two charities.
• 10:22
  [SPEAKER_02]: But that one's for up to 500 for individuals that want to do their own project that builds community, essentially.
• 10:29
  [SPEAKER_02]: So we see a lot of block parties, free workshops.
• 10:32
  [SPEAKER_02]: We had salsa lessons by the sea, so so those are some of them.
• 10:35
  [SPEAKER_02]: But yeah, people as long as their programs on the North Shore, they can definitely be in touch with us at least.
• 10:41
  [SPEAKER_00]: Can you walk us through the process if somebody is interested in starting a fund or making a donation with the foundation?
• 10:48
  [SPEAKER_00]: How flexible is the giving process?
• 10:51
  [SPEAKER_02]: It's quite simple.
• 10:52
  [SPEAKER_02]: I mean, if they want to do a one time donation, we have online and then you receive a tax receipt instantly.
• 10:58
  [SPEAKER_02]: That's a pretty simple one with a credit card.
• 11:00
  [SPEAKER_02]: We also take checks, publicly traded securities, RSPs, TFSAs, a lot of the gifts we're seeing are gifts in a will, so people will name the foundation.
• 11:11
  [SPEAKER_02]: If they've already opened a fund, that's the best.
• 11:14
  [SPEAKER_02]: Then we clearly know what they want to support, but we receive a good bulk of our funds that way.
• 11:20
  [SPEAKER_02]: is a gift in a will.
• 11:22
  [SPEAKER_02]: And then as far as opening a fund, it's pretty simple.
• 11:24
  [SPEAKER_02]: I mean, we recommend the first step is talk to your family, talk about what's important to you, what causes you might want to support, and whether a family might be new to Canada, you know, get the kids there.
• 11:37
  [SPEAKER_02]: What are they experiencing?
• 11:38
  [SPEAKER_02]: What do they see?
• 11:40
  [SPEAKER_02]: What are the grandparents experiencing?
• 11:41
  [SPEAKER_02]: What's important to them?
• 11:43
  [SPEAKER_02]: Or if you were born and raised in West Vancouver, same sort of things, you're going to see different issues, you're going to see different things that you're passionate about, and then contact us.
• 11:53
  [SPEAKER_02]: Once you have that, that's the big piece.
• 11:55
  [SPEAKER_02]: Or again, you can have it open to support the community's greatest needs.
• 11:59
  [SPEAKER_02]: then it's sort of what would you like to call the fund?
• 12:01
  [SPEAKER_02]: It could be a family name.
• 12:03
  [SPEAKER_02]: It could be something special to you and how you want to be involved in the granting.
• 12:08
  [SPEAKER_02]: Do you want to be involved?
• 12:10
  [SPEAKER_02]: Do you want to make the decisions or do you want to let the Volunteer Grants Committee make those recommendations?
• 12:15
  [SPEAKER_02]: So
• 12:16
  [SPEAKER_02]: Those are really the bulk of it, the, you know, it's pretty simple.
• 12:19
  [SPEAKER_02]: We'd like to keep it simple and it's definitely it's not for everyone, but if somebody does want to have that impact in the community ideally on an ongoing basis, then it's a great place to look so tell me what's going on in 2025.
• 12:33
  [SPEAKER_01]: Do you have any priorities that you're focusing on?
• 12:36
  [SPEAKER_02]: I mean, our priorities keep changing as the needs in the community change really.
• 12:41
  [SPEAKER_02]: I started with the foundation six years ago, and when I started, there were very few applications for grants, which is sort of reflective of where the needs are for youth or the environment.
• 12:52
  [SPEAKER_02]: This latest grants in January, a bulk were for youth.
• 12:56
  [SPEAKER_02]: I think we're really seeing since 2020, COVID, the youth, and health and wellness are much larger issues.
• 13:05
  [SPEAKER_02]: In West Vancouver in particular, there's a lot of seniors.
• 13:08
  [SPEAKER_02]: So we see a lot of issues for seniors coming.
• 13:10
  [SPEAKER_02]: And then really we try to support, like I say, what we're seeing, best we can.
• 13:14
  [SPEAKER_02]: And the North Shore, housing and transportation are huge issues.
• 13:19
  [SPEAKER_02]: Our grants are typically around $15,000 that won't make a big impact, but some organizations might need a little boost to help them start a project or do some research before they can do a bigger project.
• 13:29
  [SPEAKER_02]: So we try to make that impact where we can.
• 13:33
  [SPEAKER_02]: So for us, really, it's, yeah, just staying on top of what the issues are and continuing to have a bigger impact where we can.
• 13:42
  [SPEAKER_00]: Many of our listeners are interested in leaving a legacy.
• 13:45
  [SPEAKER_00]: What options are available for people who want to include a foundation in their will or a state plan?
• 13:50
  [SPEAKER_02]: The best way really to leave a gift, especially if you want more significant, and ideally we will meet with the person before they're passing.
• 13:59
  [SPEAKER_02]: So again, we know what they have in mind.
• 14:03
  [SPEAKER_02]: Definitely recommend talking to the family about that, especially in BC,
• 14:09
  [SPEAKER_02]: But like I said, it can be as simple as leaving it in their will, the lovely thing about leaving a gift in their will, there's two sort of ways you can open a fund ones of flexible where the capital and the interest can be granted back out or the another one is an endowment and so that leaves the capital there in perpetuity.
• 14:28
  [SPEAKER_02]: And it's the interest that gets granted out.
• 14:30
  [SPEAKER_02]: So those are lovely for requests.
• 14:33
  [SPEAKER_02]: We have quite a few of those.
• 14:34
  [SPEAKER_02]: We have one that's in memory of a young man, but it's $10,000, but each year I grant out $500.
• 14:40
  [SPEAKER_02]: And we always let the charities know what the fund is, where it came from, they often include that information in their newsletter's websites.
• 14:49
  [SPEAKER_02]: So it really gives the family, you know, a little sense of pride that their family members name lives on.
• 14:57
  [SPEAKER_02]: but it can be as simple as leaving to mention in their will, but Nicole probably has a lot more information on that.
• 15:04
  [SPEAKER_01]: I do, but I'm interested to, I know that there have been some seminal legacy guests doing a tell us a little bit about those.
• 15:11
  [SPEAKER_01]: Sure.
• 15:12
  [SPEAKER_02]: Our largest one that's having a huge impact on the foundation, 2014 Howard Martin, longtime West Vancouver resident, left a large gift in his will to the foundation.
• 15:23
  [SPEAKER_02]: He left gifts to a few charities, but the foundation did receive 3.6 million.
• 15:29
  [SPEAKER_02]: That one is for the greatest needs in the community.
• 15:33
  [SPEAKER_02]: So essentially, it's the grants committees that determine where that will get granted out.
• 15:37
  [SPEAKER_02]: And in that 11 years, we've already granted 1.8 million.
• 15:42
  [SPEAKER_02]: from that fund.
• 15:43
  [SPEAKER_02]: So if you think it's done that in 11 years, just imagine the impact it will have in 25 or 50 years.
• 15:50
  [SPEAKER_02]: So gifts like that are huge.
• 15:52
  [SPEAKER_02]: So that really was able to take us sort of to that next level of impact in the community.
• 15:57
  [SPEAKER_02]: But they can also be smaller gifts.
• 15:59
  [SPEAKER_02]: We have another legacy gift that is in memory of a young girl that tragically passed young
• 16:08
  [SPEAKER_02]: But the nice thing about that is on the anniversary of her passing, the family takes that time to look at the grant applications that might support causes that are close to their hearts.
• 16:18
  [SPEAKER_02]: And it's so instead of it just being a sad day, it now can have some positive come from it as well.
• 16:23
  [SPEAKER_02]: So they've said that it's brought them great relief.
• 16:25
  [SPEAKER_02]: And again, her name will live on around supporting young adults that have similar issues.
• 16:32
  [SPEAKER_02]: So it's great to see that and.
• 16:34
  [SPEAKER_02]: It can be difficult, and in the office at times, there's a lot of sad stories, but in the other side, it's great to be able to see that we're able to bring some happiness and relief as well.
• 16:44
  [SPEAKER_02]: And remember these people, like we get great joy ourselves hearing about their stories and that they would want to see this legacy live on.
• 16:50
  [SPEAKER_00]: So for somebody considering a gift in there, well, what are the key advantages of doing so through a community foundation like yours.
• 17:00
  [SPEAKER_02]: Yeah, if we get that question a lot and one example I love that a coworker always gives is just imagine when that first community foundation formed 100 years ago, somebody might have wanted to leave a gift for polio research.
• 17:15
  [SPEAKER_02]: What would happen to that now, where would that gift be?
• 17:18
  [SPEAKER_02]: So with a community foundation, you could sort of make it as wide-ranging
• 17:29
  [SPEAKER_02]: stable charity will be here in 50 to 100 years.
• 17:32
  [SPEAKER_02]: So if a certain cause might not exist any longer, if they've named a specific charity that no longer exists, we have a clause in the agreements that allows us to grant to a similar purpose or a similar charity.
• 17:46
  [SPEAKER_02]: So that gift keeps giving to where the intention was even if the
• 17:50
  [SPEAKER_02]: the direct intention isn't there anymore.
• 17:53
  [SPEAKER_02]: We also see some people, especially if again if it's a larger gift, they might not want to give a large gift directly to a charity.
• 18:00
  [SPEAKER_02]: and have them maybe do something they wouldn't agree with.
• 18:03
  [SPEAKER_02]: And so this way again, by giving it to the community foundation, there's a little more restrictions to it.
• 18:09
  [SPEAKER_02]: If you set it up as an endowment fund, it's the interest earned in perpetuity going to that charity, so it gives that charity real stability.
• 18:16
  [SPEAKER_02]: So there's a few different reasons for that.
• 18:19
  [SPEAKER_02]: We actually have quite a few charities that have funds with us.
• 18:23
  [SPEAKER_02]: a lot of times it's for that situation, nor sure rescue is one, they have a few funds with us actually and last year they received a large gift in somebody's will to one of the funds at the foundation and we'd have to think it's for that exact idea.
• 18:39
  [SPEAKER_01]: So yeah, how do you work with professionals,
• 18:45
  [SPEAKER_02]: So far, it's really been more conversations with them and making sure that they're aware to make it clear with their clients.
• 18:53
  [SPEAKER_02]: You know, make sure that it's clear what they want to support, make sure they've talked to the family.
• 18:57
  [SPEAKER_02]: Sort of similar information, but we do try to get that information out more to let them know.
• 19:03
  [SPEAKER_02]: that, you know, leaving a gift to a charity in general is an option, you know, community foundation.
• 19:08
  [SPEAKER_02]: It is a little more complicated to understand at times, but once you get it, it's easier in many ways.
• 19:15
  [SPEAKER_02]: So we're just trying to communicate that message.
• 19:18
  [SPEAKER_02]: And yeah, we'll have different relationships with different advisors, be it accountants, state lawyers.
• 19:24
  [SPEAKER_02]: what have you.
• 19:25
  [SPEAKER_02]: So getting that same sort of message out to make sure they're supporting their clients and getting that message that, you know, especially if somebody is philanthropic already, if they're already donating to charity, that might be important to them to keep supporting charities in the future.
• 19:41
  [SPEAKER_00]: Just a foundation ever able to sort of amplify the grants they get.
• 19:46
  [SPEAKER_00]: by other foundations matching a similar idea like where they say 10,000 will be matched two times over or off two certain amounts.
• 19:55
  [SPEAKER_02]: We haven't done anything directly like that, but what we do find is for some of the charities when they're applying for government funded grants, they show our support and that helps them with their case to get a larger grant.
• 20:10
  [SPEAKER_02]: So sometimes showing that your local community foundation supports you, those in the community believe in you allows them to access additional funds.
• 20:17
  [SPEAKER_02]: So we've seen it more that way, I would say.
• 20:19
  [SPEAKER_02]: and same for the reports we're doing vital signs.
• 20:23
  [SPEAKER_02]: A lot of the charities are very thankful for that information.
• 20:27
  [SPEAKER_02]: It's hard for them to get that type of thing on their own and so we presented it a nice easy to digest format that they can use.
• 20:34
  [SPEAKER_00]: So what are the most pressing needs you see in West Vancouver today and how can philanthropy help address them?
• 20:40
  [SPEAKER_02]: Well, like I say, right now we're
• 20:46
  [SPEAKER_02]: The environment is one that's becoming more and more evident, but even sports and rack, I mean sports and recreation goes to health and wellness.
• 20:54
  [SPEAKER_02]: So those are sort of the areas we're focusing on, arts, culture and heritage as well.
• 20:58
  [SPEAKER_02]: So we sort of have, there's those five fields of interest that we really focus on.
• 21:04
  [SPEAKER_02]: We do have communications with the charities, sort of every two or three years, we'll bring them together to hear what they have to say, as well.
• 21:15
  [SPEAKER_02]: to support that, and so really if somebody does want to make it wide-ranging their donation or their fund and it's supporting the community needs where it is, that's really what we are about.
• 21:29
  [SPEAKER_02]: So, so that's again where a community foundation is a great place to make that donation.
• 21:34
  [SPEAKER_02]: I mean, hopefully one day cancer no longer exists.
• 21:38
  [SPEAKER_02]: So then the donations that you're going to be
• 21:43
  [SPEAKER_02]: But we're, I was on top of what the needs are locally.
• 21:46
  [SPEAKER_01]: So where do you see the foundation going in the next five to 10 years?
• 21:50
  [SPEAKER_02]: On our operating plan, basically our first goal is to continue increasing our impact.
• 21:55
  [SPEAKER_02]: So that's number one.
• 21:57
  [SPEAKER_02]: There's so many needs still.
• 22:00
  [SPEAKER_02]: Some of them, there's a lot of stop gap measures.
• 22:02
  [SPEAKER_02]: We have programs in the North Shore supporting our unhoused populations, but really there isn't a solution to that issue right now.
• 22:10
  [SPEAKER_02]: So as we can grow and support more of those issues,
• 22:14
  [SPEAKER_02]: with more impact is definitely where we want to go.
• 22:17
  [SPEAKER_02]: We celebrated our 45th anniversary.
• 22:20
  [SPEAKER_02]: Right now we have $29 million in assets under management and our goal is by our 50th anniversary we want to hit 50 billion.
• 22:28
  [SPEAKER_02]: So the 29 million allowed us to grant out over 1 million.
• 22:31
  [SPEAKER_02]: So 50 million would be 2 million.
• 22:34
  [SPEAKER_02]: So that's sort of where our sort of short-term goals, long-term, you know, we've had some ideas floating around.
• 22:41
  [SPEAKER_02]: People have heard of the blue zone where people are healthy, lived over 100.
• 22:45
  [SPEAKER_02]: We would love to see that in the North Shore and us play a part in that.
• 22:49
  [SPEAKER_02]: But we play a bit of a convener.
• 22:51
  [SPEAKER_02]: Another suggestion was we have our own building or house where we can bring different charities together, maybe they're sharing the office space.
• 22:59
  [SPEAKER_02]: So again, we're sort of a
• 23:02
  [SPEAKER_02]: We can't do it ourselves, right?
• 23:03
  [SPEAKER_02]: We need to do it with the other charity.
• 23:05
  [SPEAKER_02]: So the more we can support them in grants, but also insights, collaboration, convening.
• 23:13
  [SPEAKER_02]: So all of that is where we really see us going.
• 23:16
  [SPEAKER_02]: But our goal is to have a community that thrives.
• 23:19
  [SPEAKER_00]: But do you keep the community involved in shaping the foundations priorities and strategies?
• 23:24
  [SPEAKER_02]: I mean, most directly our board is a governance board.
• 23:28
  [SPEAKER_02]: So they're helping us with our strategies for the most part.
• 23:30
  [SPEAKER_02]: They're volunteers from the community, different backgrounds, ages, experiences.
• 23:36
  [SPEAKER_02]: So we're looking to them a lot.
• 23:38
  [SPEAKER_02]: Our committees as well, volunteers.
• 23:40
  [SPEAKER_02]: We have an honorary governor's committee that's sort of some passport members, but some other notable community members.
• 23:47
  [SPEAKER_02]: So really,
• 23:48
  [SPEAKER_02]: Keeping connected, keeping that connection and understanding what those needs are, helps keep us on track.
• 23:57
  [SPEAKER_02]: Really, so that's where we look to.
• 24:00
  [SPEAKER_01]: Do you have a story or experience that's really resonated with you at the foundation?
• 24:05
  [SPEAKER_02]: Yeah, so there's a good one.
• 24:07
  [SPEAKER_02]: We work closely with the West Vancouver senior's activity center.
• 24:10
  [SPEAKER_02]: So they have programs, they have a cafeteria restaurant, but in 2020, when COVID hit, everything closed there.
• 24:19
  [SPEAKER_02]: And so there was a wonderful woman that was in charge of the center, Jill Lawler.
• 24:24
  [SPEAKER_02]: You know, we can't see these seniors, we can't feed them.
• 24:27
  [SPEAKER_02]: Let's see how they're doing.
• 24:28
  [SPEAKER_02]: And so she started her and her staff started phoning around, you know, how are you doing?
• 24:33
  [SPEAKER_02]: We're bad.
• 24:34
  [SPEAKER_02]: What's going on?
• 24:35
  [SPEAKER_02]: We don't have food.
• 24:36
  [SPEAKER_02]: We're lonely.
• 24:37
  [SPEAKER_02]: We're scared.
• 24:39
  [SPEAKER_02]: And so she reached out to us to see what we could do.
• 24:42
  [SPEAKER_02]: And we talked to one of our top donors.
• 24:45
  [SPEAKER_02]: It's very passionate about giving back to the community and especially around seniors.
• 24:50
  [SPEAKER_02]: And so sort of collectively, the feed the need program was formed.
• 24:54
  [SPEAKER_02]: So it's a senior's activity center program.
• 24:57
  [SPEAKER_02]: But we've played a big part in the fundraising for that.
• 25:01
  [SPEAKER_02]: And that one included matching funds.
• 25:02
  [SPEAKER_02]: So this donor also matched the funds, the initial 100,000.
• 25:07
  [SPEAKER_02]: And now each year continues to match.
• 25:10
  [SPEAKER_02]: 10 or 20,000 as well of the donations, and so that program continues on providing meals three times a week for vulnerable seniors in West Vancouver, and it's amazing to see what it's done.
• 25:22
  [SPEAKER_02]: They're hoping to do some research because what they're seeing is the seniors that used to be, you know, sick more often.
• 25:29
  [SPEAKER_02]: They might have had open wounds.
• 25:31
  [SPEAKER_02]: They're getting better by having regular
• 25:34
  [SPEAKER_02]: It's three times a week, but it's actually enough of a serving for probably two or three meals, and then also for the volunteers.
• 25:41
  [SPEAKER_02]: One of our volunteers is also one of their volunteers, and you cannot meet with him on Wednesday because that's his job.
• 25:47
  [SPEAKER_02]: He's delivering meals, and he's having those connections with these seniors.
• 25:51
  [SPEAKER_02]: So that's been wonderful to see.
• 25:54
  [SPEAKER_02]: They also were able, when we had the heat dome a couple years ago, because they have this
• 26:04
  [SPEAKER_02]: you know ideas on how to stay cool and and to totally they believe that the mortality rate was lower than the rest of the province.
• 26:12
  [SPEAKER_02]: Thanks to that.
• 26:12
  [SPEAKER_02]: So so that's been a wonderful program that continues going on.
• 26:16
  [SPEAKER_02]: So the donations support the food purchases, volunteers are delivering the meals.
• 26:21
  [SPEAKER_02]: So it's a great program.
• 26:23
  [SPEAKER_02]: And again, a hidden need that we didn't know is there.
• 26:26
  [SPEAKER_00]: For those who are listening who might be curious, but don't know where to start, which you're advised for taking the first step towards the community giving or legacy planning.
• 26:37
  [SPEAKER_02]: Yeah, the first step, like say have a conversation with your family, your friends, think about what you care about.
• 26:44
  [SPEAKER_02]: Think about what legacy you want to leave.
• 26:47
  [SPEAKER_02]: Do you want to be remembered this way?
• 26:49
  [SPEAKER_02]: There are other ways to give legacy, leave a legacy, of course.
• 26:53
  [SPEAKER_02]: But yeah, if charitable giving, making a difference in community is one of the ways, definitely think about that.
• 26:59
  [SPEAKER_02]: So talk about what those causes are that are important to you.
• 27:03
  [SPEAKER_02]: Contact your community foundation.
• 27:05
  [SPEAKER_02]: Let's say there's over 200 across Canada, but if you're on the North Shore, we would love to hear from you.
• 27:10
  [SPEAKER_02]: We love talking to people that want to make a difference.
• 27:13
  [SPEAKER_02]: One of our larger donors, one of the best parts of my job is we go on tour and visit some of the charities and it's just wonderful to see.
• 27:20
  [SPEAKER_02]: Now, they so appreciate making that impact and the joy they receive and seeing the difference their gifts are making to these charities and hearing about the stories of impact.
• 27:31
  [SPEAKER_02]: So we're very lucky that way, but yeah.
• 27:33
  [SPEAKER_02]: So talk to your family, talk to us, think about what legacy you want to leave.
• 27:39
  [SPEAKER_02]: How can people learn more about the West Bank care foundation and connect with you?
• 27:43
  [SPEAKER_02]: Yeah, so our website has a lot of information on it.
• 27:45
  [SPEAKER_02]: Westvanfoundation.ca.
• 27:47
  [SPEAKER_02]: So you can learn about leaving a gift in your will, see about some of the other grants that are being made, how to open a fund, volunteer opportunities, even.
• 27:55
  [SPEAKER_02]: You can also sign up for our newsletter on the bottom of our footer there.
• 27:59
  [SPEAKER_02]: There's a sign up for that.
• 28:00
  [SPEAKER_02]: And so we send out once a month so you can see what we're up to.
• 28:04
  [SPEAKER_02]: Our largest donor, that's how he contacted us.
• 28:07
  [SPEAKER_02]: He was watching our website.
• 28:11
  [SPEAKER_02]: And it was something of interest, they actually, he and his wife had their own family fund, but it's a lot of work to maintain a family foundation, rather, sorry, a foundation.
• 28:21
  [SPEAKER_02]: And so they dissolved the foundation and opened a fund with us.
• 28:24
  [SPEAKER_02]: So we do the filings and what have you.
• 28:26
  [SPEAKER_02]: But so those are a couple of ways social media, where Instagram and Facebook is a West
• 28:33
  [SPEAKER_02]: for foundation.
• 28:34
  [SPEAKER_02]: And yeah, just staying in touch, contacting us, email, phone.
• 28:38
  [SPEAKER_02]: I think I say we love talking to people about making a difference.
• 28:41
  [SPEAKER_02]: It's, we're very lucky that way.
• 28:44
  [SPEAKER_02]: Well, it sounds like a great job.
• 28:45
  [SPEAKER_02]: Yes.
• 28:45
  [SPEAKER_01]: So thank you so much for joining us.
• 28:47
  [SPEAKER_01]: We really appreciate it.
• 28:48
  [SPEAKER_02]: Well, thanks for having me.
• 28:49
  [SPEAKER_01]: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered individual legal, financial, or tax advice.
• 28:57
  [SPEAKER_01]: Make sure to consult
• 29:04
  [SPEAKER_01]: Thank you for joining us for this episode of Your State Matters.
• 29:07
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• 29:12
  [SPEAKER_00]: Whether you are planning your own estate, or you're acting as executive for somebody else's heritage trust can help.
• 29:18
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• 29:23
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• 29:36
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