Archie MontroseTop 6 Charities in Vancouver
When we have the opportunity, we should all lend a helping hand to others. To begin your journey of generosity, consider donating to one of the best charities in Vancouver.
These organizations need help funding their causes, whether they are assisting the poor or immigrants, or supporting the elderly or critically ill children.
Remember, however, that money isn\’t the only type of assistance you can provide. You can get involved in a variety of ways, including volunteering and donating books, food, and clothing.
Top Charities in Vancouver
We’ve assessed the establishments we’ve included on this list based on the following criteria:
Programs and Activities – We explore the various programs that these charities provide and the impact they have on the people they assist.
Accessibility – It would be easier to donate and volunteer if the foundation was open and transparent. In this criteria, we evaluate how they provide information on how the public can get involved.
Variety – While we evaluated charities with a single mission, we also included establishments with multiple missions. We rate these foundations based on the broadness of their services.
Location – In this criterion, we assess the different covered areas these charities serve.
1. Lotus Light Charity Society
Lotus Light Charity Society was established in 1993 by Buddhist Grand Master Sheng-Yen Lu to assist and comfort those in need.
What we adore about this establishment is the variety of missions it holds. Whether through improving cultural awareness and harmony, providing financial assistance to promising students, providing medicine and needed supplies to the ill, or promoting social development.
They recently expanded their soup kitchen to accommodate more people, and they have assisted many child refugees with their education and well-being.
As for programs and activities, Lotus Light Charity Society Vancouver has launched many projects to assist their local community, such as its annual Winter Charity Drive in December.
The charity has given out a large amount of winter clothing, blankets, sleeping bags, and non-perishable foods to the homeless in the area.
Aside from this, we also like that they also offer food recovery programs, free income tax filing, free ESL classes, and many more!
Just when you think their services have come to an end, Lotus Light Charity Society has also produced fabric face masks.They have distributed a total of 25,000 free face masks to help vulnerable communities during the pandemic.
Ths charity has helped many vulnerable communities by providing them with food, shelter, education, employment assistance, and many more.
You can become a volunteer by simply filling up their member application form here.
Pros
- Free income tax filing assistance
- Free ESL programs
- Multiple locations
Cons
- Limited dietary options for food drive
- Limited member vacancies
Customer Reviews
Excellent service
“In March 2021 Lotus Light Charity helped out with our home delivered food hampers to Single Parent families we serve with 5 big boxes of high quality assorted chocolates just in time for our Easter Food Hampers. We at www.foodbankonwheels.org and our clients Thank You. Great surprise awesome donation.” -Charity H.
Years of dedicated public service
“Serving Vancouver for over 20 years supporting the community and other charities with a passion for the public interest.” Jiong Z.
2. S.U.C.C.E.S.S Foundation
The S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Foundation, established in 2001, is a charitable foundation in charge of raising funds for S.U.C.C.E.S.S. and its affiliated organizations to support their mandates for community improvement.
In terms of services, this charity has made it its mission to assist immigrants as they begin their journey in a foreign land. They assist with employment, housing, education, and a variety of other issues.
One particular program that touched our hearts is their dementia awareness program, which was launched recently to support people with dementia and their families.
The program\’s goal is to raise awareness and education about the disease in order to reduce the stigma toward people who have it.
Looking at their initiatives, this establishment recently held a gala called \”Bridge to S.U.C.C.E.S.S 2022.\” This annual fundraising event seeks to raise funds to support the organization\’s community social services and programs.
Aside from this they also have other annual fundraising events such as GivingTuesday, raffles, and charity golf tournaments.
If you want to make a positive impact directly in your community, you may want to consider volunteering with them so you can gain new experiences and build new relationships. You can volunteer here.
Through services and advocacy that promote belonging, wellness, and independence, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. empowers people on their Canadian journey to achieve their goals across their 40 service locations.
Pros
- Multiple fundraising events
- Immigrant services
- 40 service locations
Cons
- Charges membership fees
- Limited volunteer opportunities
Customer Reviews
Exceptional service
\”Great Services For Newcomers and Refugees, especially the ACT Program, former MAP program!.\” Dan N.
Great programs
“After joining the program I started knowing other moms and their kids, and now I have so many friends. The program makes my family stronger and happier.” -Reyhaneh J.
3. A Loving Spoonful
Established in 1989, A Loving Spoonful has been providing free, nutritious meals to people living with HIV and co-occurring illnesses in Metro Vancouver and the surrounding areas.
What we noticed immediately while browsing through their website is that this organization is all about food, love, hope, and compassion.
We like that aside from providing nourishing meals, they also offer healthy grocery options and they also have support from a registered dietician.
On average, they serve approximately 100,000 meals per year to the most vulnerable members of the community, many of whom are isolated and dealing with multiple physical, mental, and emotional challenges.
Everyone deserves proper nutrition, and what we like the most about this organization\’s mission is that they cater to a marginalized sector, people living with AIDS, by giving them access to healthy food as it is one of the most powerful weapons to fight the illness.
A Loving Spoonful captured our hearts, we have received numerous positive remarks on their passion to provide well-balanced meals, and have proven to be one of the best, most helpful, and dedicated organizations battling the stigma toward people with AIDS.
It is also worth noting that volunteers here at A Loving Spoonful are satisfied with the service of their staff. Most people mentioned that they felt a sense of belonging and that led them to volunteer as much as they can. You can volunteer here.
Pros
- Registered dietician available to produce well-balanced meals
- Approachable staff members
Cons
- Limited volunteering opportunities
- Focused on one mission only
Customer Reviews
Well-balanced meals and amazing support
\”Amazing! A Loving Spoonful has helped me with great meals and snacks to bridge the gap in my low income. They did it professionally, made it personal and always respectfully. I don\’t know what I would do without their support. Thank you to all the staff and volunteers you really are amazing.\” Daniel B.
Professional and first-rate assistance
\”Of all the AIDS service organizations this has been one of the most useful and helpful organizations I have encountered in my over 30 years living with HIV. The other is AIDS VANCOUVER. These two service organizations deserve public and government support.\” Kenya G.
4. BC Children\’s Hospital Foundation
Since 1982, BC Children\’s Hospital Foundation has worked to motivate individuals and communities to join them in their mission to improve children\’s health care.
We share their beliefs that every child should be healthy and be able to fulfill their hopes and dreams. We appreciate their dedication to research so they can expand their scope of programs.
In fact, BC Children\’s Hospital Foundation announced its new stem cell research technology on April 27, 2022. This technology may hold the answer to discovering new treatments or cures for severe childhood illnesses more quickly.
When it comes to their services, BC Children\’s Hospital Foundation has received numerous positive feedback from their patient and their families.
It\’s also worth noting that one of the foundation\’s primary goals is to improve children\’s mental health.
The BC Children\’s Hospital Foundation integrated mental health resources and programs into all aspects of care so that more children can manage stress and anxiety.
Furthermore, they have a detailed process in place, giving donors the option of making a one-time donation or donating on a monthly basis.
You can also make a legacy gift to their foundation by naming it as a beneficiary in your will. Additionally, you can also provide non-monetary donations, stocks, or mutual funds, as well as send e-cards to them.
With this kind of process and their contributions to the community, it’s no wonder we’ve picked them as one of the best Vancouver charities.
Pros
- Children-focused programs and services
- Numerous ways to donate
- Dedication to medical research
Cons
- Unclear policy on monthly donations
- Complaint inquiries may take time to get answered
Customer Reviews
Excellent doctors and service
\”Great doctors. Great experience. Everyone seems to understand that it is hard for parents to be there. Their understanding and kindness makes a difference. And they helped reduce seizures in my baby.\” – Tim P.
\”These guys saved my little cousin when she was diagnosed with lukemia. They also did a great surgery on my Lil guy. Luv them all.\” Kyle P.
5. Make-A-Wish®
Make-A-Wish has granted over 36,000 wishes since 1983, and their advocacy lives on.
They are on a mission to grant the wishes of every eligible child because a wish is an important part of a child\’s treatment journey.
What we like most about this Foundation is the hope they give to these children.
As for their programs and services, this establishment hosts fund-raising activities such as fun runs and donation drives, virtual wellness seminars, auctions, and many more.
You can get involved in a variety of ways, including participating in fundraising events such as charity streams, community events, and even do-it-yourself fundraisers.
Make-A-Wish organizes a variety of charity events, including comedy galas, golf charity events, and their annual dragon boat festival, among others.
Furthermore, you can celebrate your birthday by transforming it into an ECHOage party with Make-A-Wish.
When you ECHOage your birthday party, ECHOage donates half of the proceeds to the charity that you have chosen to support.
We have received positive reviews from families and friends thanking the foundation for all the assistance they have provided, noting that Make-A-Wish goes the extra mile to make children smile.
They also have multiple locations all around the Atlantic, Quebec, Central Canada, and Western Canada. You can volunteer here.
Pros
- ECHOage birthday program
- Multiple locations in Canada
Cons
- Unclear protocol on COVID 19 policies
- Limited volunteer slots
Customer Reviews
Inspiring and wonderful service
\”These guys are awesome and go that extra mile to help children who are facing very difficult and life altering situations. They are kind, compassionate and generous. I hope your child never needs to have a wish granted by these folks, but if they do, it is an truly a great organization.\” Evan R.
\”Wonderful, inspiring mission to provide wishes to kids with critical illnesses and amazing staff!!.\” Robert D.
6. Backpack Buddies
Backpack Buddies is an organization that aims to provide sustainable meals for children and families living across BC to better combat childhood hunger starting within the area.
We like that they are able to accommodate a wide range of individuals such as students or even businesses should they be interested in taking part in their advocacy and incorporating their principles may it be through voluntary work or in the corporate field.
We like that for individuals interested to donate for their cause – all options and versatile payment methods can all be seen and accessed conveniently on their website for convenience.
In comparison to other charities, Backpack Buddies fills the “weekend hunger gap” of children by discreetly providing bags of food directly to kids every Friday. These bags contain enough meals and snacks to last the weekend and beyond, ensuring kids return to school nourished and ready for the week ahead
Additionally, with them, in order to get a tax receipt donors will need to make a donation(s) that add up to $20 over the course of the year.
Overall, with their prompt and responsive customer service, sustainable and nutritious meals, transparent and comprehensive reports, and professionals on the team, we highly recommend them to clients in the area looking for organizations to give to.
Pros
- Provides ready-to-eat, non-perishable food
- Partnered with B.C. schools
- Various donation options
Cons
- Warehouse is closed on weekends
FAQs about Charities in Vancouver
There you have it, our recommendations of the top charities in Vancouver. It is important to remember that by helping other people, we make the world a better place to live in for the generations to come.
If you’re ever in Vancouver and you are looking for volunteering opportunities, we recommend you check out our review of the best volunteer programs in Vancouver.
