News Release – Victorians Urged to Share Views on Region’s Liveability

May 7, 2018

VICTORIA, BC – If you were told you could have a say in how millions of dollars are distributed to local charities, would you be interested? If you could help guide important decisions made by governments, universities and organizations throughout Greater Victoria, would you?

The Victoria Foundation is asking Capital Region residents to weigh in with their opinions on 12 issue areas critical to our community. Survey respondents are asked to identify what they think are the most important issues facing the region today as part of the annual Victoria’s Vital Signs® community check-up produced by the Foundation.

Victoria’s Vital Signs® is a combination of public opinion and statistics that provides a snapshot of livability and wellbeing in Greater Victoria. The 13th annual survey runs from May 7 to July 1, and residents can find a link to the survey on the Victoria Foundation website at victoriafoundation.ca.

Victoria Foundation CEO Sandra Richardson said information tracked in Vital Signs helps guide the choices made my local decision-makers.

“At our foundation, we make granting decisions based on the top issues and opportunities identified in Vital Signs,” Richardson said. “Citizens play a key role in helping to guide our organization and the many others who also use Vital Signs as a reference for granting, planning or other strategic activities.”

Vital Signs is a national program coordinated by Community Foundations of Canada that leverages community knowledge to measure the vitality of our communities and support action towards improving our quality of life. Started by the Toronto Foundation in 2001, today more than 75 communities across Canada and around the world use Vital Signs to mobilize the power of community knowledge for greater local impact.

Victoria’s Vital Signs® was launched in 2006 as an initiative of the Victoria Foundation’s 70th anniversary. This will be the thirteenth consecutive year the Foundation produces the report.

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Background

Established in 1936, the Victoria Foundation is Canada’s second oldest community foundation and the sixth largest of nearly 200 nation-wide. The Victoria Foundation manages charitable gifts from donors whose generosity allows them to create permanent, income-earning funds. The proceeds from these funds are then distributed as grants for charitable or educational purposes. To date the Victoria Foundation has invested more than $200 million in people, projects and non-profit organizations that strengthen communities in B.C. and throughout Canada.

 

Media contact:

Kyle Wells, Communications Specialist

Victoria Foundation

250.381.5532      C. 250.213.7131      E. kwells@victoriafoundation.bc.ca