Foundation seeks input on where to allocate charity money

The Victoria Foundation is offering local residents an opportunity to have their say in how millions of dollars are distributed to charities.

Until July 1, Greater Victoria residents are being asked to complete an online survey on 12 issues affecting the community. Those who take the survey will be asked what they think are the most important issues facing the region. It’s part of the annual Victoria’s Vital Signs community checkup, which identifies trends and assigns grades to areas that are critical to quality of life in the region.

The report comes out each fall. This will be the 13th year the Victoria Foundation has produced Vital Signs.

“We make granting decisions based on the top issues and opportunities identified in Vital Signs,” said Victoria Foundation chief executive officer Sandra Richardson. “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.”

The survey, which can be found at victoriafoundation.ca, asks about getting started in our community, arts and culture, education, the economy, health and wellness, housing, safety, sports, transportation, the environment, standard of living, and belonging and engagement.

The foundation manages charitable gifts from donors, which are used to create permanent incomeearning funds. The proceeds are distributed as grants for charitable or educational purposes.

Since 1936, the foundation has invested more than $200 million in people, projects and non-profit organizations.