Do you remember Family Services of Greater Vancouver’s Holiday Hamper program which distributed food and gifts to families in need? Launched in 1993, the initiative has since evolved into Caring Neighbours, which raises money to support FSGV’s programs supporting people in crisis through education, skills development and empowerment.
Through Caring Neighbours, FSGV is able to allocate resources more effectively than it could through the Holiday Hamper program, which became an administrative and logistical burden and often resulted in too many donations from one category. “Funding is a better fit for us because we can be more responsive to what clients need. Not every youth needs the same thing, and not every youth wants the same thing. We're able to be a lot more responsive whenever we're able to customize programs and supports,” says Ariane Fleischmann, director of development, Family Services of Greater Vancouver.
From Nov. 1 until the end of 2024, FSGV will be accepting individual and business donations as well as corporate partnerships for Caring Neighbours, with a goal to surpass last year’s $250,000 fundraising target.
Educating both clients and donors about FSGV’s services, and clarifying any misconceptions about the folks they support, is an important focus for the organization right now. One initiative that gives clients and the public insight into the impacts FSGV services has on individuals is their There’s More to Everyone’s Story campaign. Here, clients share the impact FSGV programs had on their lives, like Jessica, who, thanks to FSGV’s Trauma Counselling Program was able to start socializing with friends and travelling again.
Another important goal for FSGV is clearing up the misconception that the organization supports only families, as the name might suggest. In reality FSGV also offers programming for unhoused youth and survivors of domestic violence and exploitation. “Over the years, our services have evolved to meet the community’s most pressing needs. Right now, with the cost of living crisis and high rates of gender-based violence, we’re focused on working with people who are in crisis, building trust, and supporting them as they set goals for a brighter tomorrow,” Fleischmann explains.
So what makes FSGV a great place to put your philanthropic resources, when there are many other charities to support? Fleischmann says the organization’s diversity of clients and services mean donors gain exposure to many different groups in need, within one charity. “We’ve been around for close to 100 years, we’re helping over 12,000 people every year and we’re supporting people in a way that builds resilience,” she explains. Supporting FSGV through corporate partnerships or donations is also a fantastic way for businesses to demonstrate corporate social responsibility, to the public and to their shareholders. And for donors concerned about what donations are being used for, FSGV prides itself on transparency, with financial reports made publicly available.
Corporations interested in partnering with FSGV on campaigns have a variety of options to choose from, as outlined in the organization’s sponsorship grid. “It’s really an opportunity to choose an area of our work that inspires your workplace,” says Fleischmann. Businesses can opt to sponsor an FSGV campaign, like Amazon has done for Caring Neighbours, or they can host their own fundraiser.
Businesses interested in discussing potential partnership opportunities can email [email protected], and both individuals and organizations can donate to Caring Neighbours for the 2024 fundraiser via fsgv.ca/caringneighbours.
