The Vancouver Rotary Club Foundation
Originally founded in 1950 as the Oscar Olsen Rotary Foundation, it has been modernized in 1969 and 1998 to keep current with the changing needs of the Rotary Club of Vancouver.
2.9
M
million donated since its inception in 1969
770
+
Projects contributed to
390
Volunteer hours
26
Projects in 2022
“I remember listening to someone who was positively impacted by some of our programs in the Downtown East Side. She was so grateful and the conversation had such an emotional effect on me.”
– Wayne Fraser
About the foundation
With a focus on international and community service programs, the Vancouver Rotary Club Foundation has been making an impact in the world since July 2nd, 1998 because of donors like you. 100% of the funds raised are distributed to projects helping people, both locally and abroad.
Formed in 1969 to receive, hold, invest or reinvest contributions from donors or fund-raising projects and distribute funds for the inauguration, maintenance, and support of charitable institutions within the Province of BC. As of March 31, 2022, the capital fund totalled $2.9 million.
The fund provides the Club with a constant source of funds for distribution to support the programs that are important to our Club and gives the Club a level of fiscal stability enjoyed by very few service clubs. Tax receipts are available for any donations made to this foundation. Interest income, capital gains and dividends are the primary sources of income.
Our Initiatives
Make a Contribution
Help us by making a donation to the Vancouver Rotary Club Foundation today. If your donation is made on line you can immediately receive an Official Receipt from CHIMP: Charitable Impact Foundation (Canada) which will process your donation for the Vancouver Rotary Club Foundation.
BECOME A DONOR
VISIONARY
$100k
LEADER
$50k
BUILDER
$10k
CHAMPION
$25k
The Oscar Olsen Award
The Oscar Olsen Award celebrates generous donations to the Vancouver Rotary Club Foundation. It is named after Oscar Olsen, who joined the Vancouver Rotary Club in 1913 when the club was only 3 months old. In 1950 he bequeathed a $100,000 donation to create the ‘Oscar A. Olsen Rotary Foundation’, which in 1998 became the Vancouver Rotary Club Foundation. The proceeds of Oscar Olsen’s initial donation continue to support projects today. As this foundation grows, so does our ability to help more people through our projects.
A Glimpse Into Our History
The Vancouver IceCapades
The Vancouver IceCapades was a long running and much beloved fundraiser of the Vancouver Rotary Club. The proceeds from this event have helped to grow the foundation significantly.
Our Local Impact Today
Emergency Supplies
We work with the Vancouver School Board and Parent Advisory Committees to provide emergency food and school supplies to designated primary schools.
Relief Agencies
We help agencies to provide
- Relief to the homeless population
- Safe shelters for women at risk
- Refugee resettlements
- Drug and alcohol abuse
..and more!
Scholarships
We have provided over $300,000 towards funding scholarships for students in financial need, to pursue post secondary education. This has aided almost 100 students to continue their studies in higher education.
School Supplies
During Covid interruptions to school attendance we provided over $30,000 worth of computer and school supplies to primary school students. This enabled over 25 students to continue their studies and learning when the cost of a computer was beyond their families resources.
Beyond our local community, the Vancouver Rotary Foundation and members of the Rotary Club of Vancouver support the work of the Rotary Foundation (Canada) in co-ordination with The Rotary Foundation.
Ways to give
Donate Now
Help us continue to grow the work we do locally and abroad. Donate to the Vancouver Rotary Club Foundation.
