Victoria Foundation Receives Accreditation

Posted on May 8, 2012 in General

Victoria, May 8, 2012 – The Victoria Foundation is among the first charities in Canada to receive accreditation through Imagine Canada’s standards program.

Designed to strengthen public confidence in the charitable and non-profit sector, the program is among the first of its kind at a national level.  It offers accreditation to charities and non-profit organizations that can demonstrate excellence in five key areas:

  • Board governance
  • Financial accountability and transparency
  • Ethical fundraising
  • Staff management
  • Volunteer involvement

“We are proud to be one of the first Canadian charities to receive this accreditation because it demonstrates our commitment to the highest standards of the charitable sector,” said Victoria Foundation board chair Deirdre Roberts.

The Victoria Foundation is one of 17 organizations – including three community foundations – to participate in a pilot program to launch the Imagine Canada accreditation process, which was announced today. (Read the Imagine Canada accreditation news release).

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BackgroVictoria Foundation CEO, Sandra Richardson, showing accreditation recieved from Imagine Canadaund: The Victoria Foundation manages funds gifted either in perpetuity or for specific purposes. The funds or the earnings from them are then distributed as grants for charitable or educational purposes. Established in 1936, the Victoria Foundation is Canada’s second oldest community foundation and the sixth largest of 181. To date it has invested more than $108 million in people, projects and non-profit organizations that strengthen communities in B.C. and across Canada. Read more about the Victoria Foundation’s vision and mandate.

Imagine Canada is a national charitable organization that serves Canada’s charities and non-profits. It strengthens the sector’s collective voice, serves as a forum and meeting place, and provides a supportive environment for organizations to build stronger communities. Read more about Imagine Canada at www.imaginecanada.ca

For more information, please contact:

Stephanie Slater
Director of Communications, Victoria Foundation
250.381.5532 ext. #227    Cell: 250.686-8477
email: slslater@victoriafoundation.bc.ca
victoriafoundation.bc.ca

Marnie Grona
Director, Marketing and Communications, Imagine Canada
1.800.263.1178, ext. #244 or 416.597.2293
Cell: 416.300.7220
email: mgrona@imaginecanada.ca
www.imaginecanada.ca