Thread

The greatest moment that defined the Victoria Foundation’s purpose was its humble creation. In 1936, Captain Burges Gadsden, a war veteran, businessman and city councillor, opened the doors of a small soup kitchen and planted the seeds of what would become one of the most prominent community foundations in the country.

Ninety years later, the Victoria Foundation has grown alongside the community, adapting to new challenges and needs while staying true to its original purpose of unwavering support.

The voices that follow reflect some moments that capture why the Foundation exists, and how its original spirit continues to uplift the community today.

Paddy Stewart, Board Chair, 1986 to 1992

Paddy Stewart remembers starting with the Victoria Foundation in 1969: the year the first community grants were made.

Back then, the Foundation was still relatively unknown. “We weren’t even on the map yet,” says Stewart, who was part of the group responsible for governance, strategizing ways to advance the Foundation.

But by 1987, awareness started to shift when the Foundation’s 1936 Act of the BC Legislature was modernized for the first time in over 50 years. Parameters were more clearly defined, the purpose was expanded and credibility was built.

“People started to realize there was agency and a whole history behind the Foundation. That was a big deal for us at the time,” Stewart says.

This spark and the resulting growth is a reflection, he suggests, of what happens when a strong idea is given time and trust to flourish.

Sharlene Smith, Key Foundation Partner, 2001 to 2026

For Sharlene Smith, a major turning point for the Foundation’s purpose was the flagship Victoria’s Vital Signs — an annual community report card she helped spearhead from the ground up in 2006. “Vital Signs put reliable, easy-to-use information into the hands of all kinds of organizations that they used to advocate for their cause, community needs and funding. All of which strengthened the sector,” Smith explains.

“Vital Signs is the single greatest thing done to increase the Foundation’s awareness and understanding in the community. It led to significant growth and increased granting over the past 20 years.”

Sandra Richardson, CEO, 2001 to 2026

Long-time CEO Sandra Richardson says one of the most notable moments came from the direct impacts of the Vital Signs report, which revealed just how prominent food insecurity was becoming in the community.

“The hidden hunger in the region, especially in children, was very eye-opening for us, the Board and the community,” Richardson reflects.

The spotlight in 2013 sparked a major response to map the entire food system in the capital region and to mobilize community partners to open a regionwide Food Distribution Centre in Esquimalt. Today, it serves around 65,000 people per month and continues to grow and evolve!

Murray Farmer, OBC, and Lynda Farmer, OBC Honorary Governors
(Murray was Board Chair from 2001 to 2003)

Prominent philanthropists Murray and Lynda Farmer reflect on the Foundation’s diamond jubilee — a major celebration in 1996 — and the Honorary Governors program created that year to help raise the Foundation’s profile.

“It was a major initiative with the intention to commemorate and provide a historical significance, adding credibility, longevity and outreach,” Lynda explains.

This year, the Honorary Governors celebrate a milestone 30 years of being valued community champions of Victoria Foundation programs. Murray says the Foundation has really grown in size and spirit since then, including an impressive ability to foster leadership of all kinds.

Ian Izard, Board Chair, 2004 to 2006

For Ian Izard, the Foundation defined its purpose through trusting young people to lead.

After an inspiring meeting with the Winnipeg Foundation on their youth program, “we felt strongly that if we were going to do our own program for youth, they had to be intimately involved,” Izard recalls.

Youth in Philanthropy (now Vital Youth) was launched in 2003, supported by the Honorary Governors, connecting student leaders to local, impactful causes to support.

“Students helped us see our community through the next generation’s eyes, introducing us to organizations in new ways and building leadership capacity,” he reflects.

Since then, more than 800 students have granted over $544,000 to the community.

Rob Gareau, Board Chair

Today’s Board Chair Rob Gareau says the Foundation’s purpose has been especially visible in moments of urgency. He points to the launch of the Rapid Relief Fund in the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when everyone was still trying to understand what the world was facing.

“What struck me was how quickly the Foundation moved without hesitation, acting decisively to raise and deploy funds when they were needed most,” Gareau reflects. “Uncertainty was everywhere, and the Foundation provided clarity, leadership and stability.”

But what also sticks with him is how the Foundation has helped in ways that are often quiet, but deeply meaningful — sometimes through grants, but also through convening the right people, or simply listening and guiding.