When we think about "giving back" to our community, thoughts might naturally drift to volunteering, if and when we have the time. Others might think about donating money or other assets, when there's some to spare, or joining a group or organization focused on improving our community in some way.

The truth is, giving back can mean different things to different people at different times in our lives, and all are equally valuable when it comes to contributing to the health and vibrancy of our neighbourhoods, cities and region.

Simply choose the way B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·“ or ways B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·“ to give back that make sense or are most meaningful to you. For example:

1. Volunteer: Whether you have a few hours per month to help with bookkeeping or assist hospital visitors, or an afternoon each week to pack food hampers or coach baseball, your time and talents are vital to local non-profits working hard every day to make a difference. Finding the right fit can be as simple as looking for non-profits that align with your passions and interests, but to see the full breadth of what's available, organizations like ,  and  make it easy to find connections. Regardless of where or how you volunteer, giving back brings many personal rewards, too, including the pride and satisfaction of supporting your community, and the opportunity to connect with others.
2. Give to the Victoria Foundation's Community Actions Funds: Greater Victoria's charities and non-profits rely on community support to achieve their missions. However, many prospective donors may be unsure who to support and may lack time to research; others may believe their contributions won't be large enough to make a difference.
   The Victoria Foundation's  make it easy to give with confidence, knowing that every gift contributes to meaningful impact. Simply choose from 10 funds that represent different cause areas in the community, such as food security, housing, education and learning, gender equity and more. Gifts are then pooled with those from other donors, and the funds are then granted strategically to organizations serving in crucial ways within the cause area.
3. Get involved in the Gadsden Initiative: For emerging generations of donors and those wanting to dive deeper into community philanthropy, the Victoria Foundation's  is an exciting, collaborative learning experience. New donors explore different ways to give while building a fund at the Foundation. In turn, the program helps members build relationships with community and work together to take action on solutions that enrich the region.

As we celebrate the giving season with those we care about, broadening that scope as we welcome 2025 will help build a thriving, resilient community.

Leaving a legacy

If you've embraced opportunities to give back through your lifetime,  can be a powerful way to continue that impact after your passing. A Will offers a powerful tool for change B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·“ not only can it provide a gift to loved ones, it can also direct charitable bequests of stocks, insurance and other assets to local charities, donations that with a charitable receipt can also reduce the tax liabilities facing your estate.

To learn more about ways to give back to your community in the year ahead,