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Vancouverites are invited to spread goodwill during COVID-19 through this heartfelt campaign

For every mention, Vancouver Foundation will put $100 towards the In Our Hearts Community Response Fund in support of communities impacted by COVID-19.
in-our-hearts-vancouver-foundation
In Our Hearts / Photo provided by Vancouver Foundation

In times of crisis, we are drawn to come together in solidarity to protect and uphold what we care about the most—our communities. Each day, we see and hear uplifting examples of people spreading acts of selflessness and kindness with their loved ones and neighbours, reminding us all of what is truly important—each other.

Inspired by this very notion, Vancouver Foundation is asking people in Vancouver and across British Columbia to share who’s in their hearts right now.

The In Our Hearts campaign encourages the public to share their support for workers, charities, organizations, and others in the arts and culture sector that are “in their heart” at home, through social media, and by making a donation to the Community Response Fund or a charity of their choice.

Vancouver Foundation invites citizens to get creative in how they share who's in their heart with some “heartwork” colouring pages. They can print them out, get artistic, and even put them on their window to brighten the days of people walking by their homes.

For those that want to join the conversation on social media, for every follow and mention tagging @vancouverfdn (on Twitter or Facebook) with the hashtag #InOurHearts, Vancouver Foundation will put $100 towards the In Our Hearts Community Response Fund from now until Monday, May 4th at noon. Only public posts will be eligible for an entry.

The Community Response Fund was founded by Vancouver Foundation along with Vancity Credit Union, United Way Lower Mainland, and the City of Vancouver. The coordinated effort is led by the four partner organizations from across all sectors, who are united to leverage and direct collective and complementary knowledge, expertise, and resources to where it is needed most.

Community Response Fund  / Photo: Vancouver Foundation

Since its launch on March 18, the Community Response Fund has assisted over a hundred frontline charity organizations providing on-the-ground support to individuals and communities impacted by COVID-19. The first phase focused on triage and immediate response; ensuring uninterrupted operation for charitable groups on the frontlines facing significant fallout from the pandemic.

The program has received community support through contributions from non-profit organizations, local businesses, corporate leaders, and individual donors. Among the fund’s community-minded champions include Rize Alliance, lululemon, Rethink Canada founder Tom Shepansky, and The Polygon Gallery.

The $7.27 million and growing fund provides rapid relief and builds long-term resiliency among the communities and organizations hit the hardest by the COVID-19 crisis. 

The fund has expanded its scope with a new contribution of $1 million in additional funding from Vancouver Foundation, offering vital support to the arts and culture and community benefit charities which are integral to the social fabric that ties us together.

“Through the generosity of individuals and organizations across sectors, we’ve already been able to support more than 130 charities providing important services, programs, and supports during this challenging time,” says Kevin McCort, CEO of Vancouver Foundation. “But we also know we have a long road to recovery and that the resiliency of our communities depends on everyone coming together and stepping up in whatever ways are close to their hearts."

The intention of the Community Response Fund is to provide a strategic and adaptive response to the evolving needs of the COVID-19 crisis through the rapid deployment of essential relief and services to charities who have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and its economic consequences.

This is Vancouver’s moment to reveal what’s in their hearts and help those who need our support and love the most.

For more information on the In Our Hearts campaign, visit vancouverfoundation.ca/inourhearts