During this time of uncertainty,the Foundation’s priorities are to ensure the health and safety of our staff while continuing to work with donors and partners to support our community, particularly those who are most vulnerable.
 
Adapting our operations
 
Our staff began a work from home program on March 13 and on March 17 we closed our physical office. Staff continue to be accessible by email and telephone, please see our online staff directory for contact information.  We are working to develop remote systems and process to ensure that we can continue to support our donors, community partners, and other stakeholders over the coming weeks. 
 
Supporting our community
 
We anticipate that over the coming weeks and perhaps months, community partners will be stretched financially and that this will impact the communities they serve.  We already see the impact of COVID-19 through our work at 312 Main, where social enterprises are grappling with how to maintain their operations and provide much needed supplemental income to their employees, while protecting the well-being of staff and vulnerable populations involved.  
  
Over the coming days and weeks we’ll connect with our community partners to identify how we can help, and we’ll keep you posted on ways Vancity Community Foundation donors and Vancity members can join us in supporting community.  Stay tuned for more news on this. 
     
This is an unprecedented time for everyone, and it’s also a unique opportunity for all of us to pull together, support each other, and demonstrate our shared commitment to building healthy, inclusive and just communities. Vancity Community Foundation will continue to provide updates as they become available and as we identify ways we can work together during this time.