Understanding BC Budget 2026 Through a Non-profit Lens
Reflections from AFP Greater Vancouver’s Government Relations Portfolio
BC Budget 2026 set a cautious fiscal tone for the province and non-profit organizations are thinking about what these decisions may mean for communities, services, and philanthropy across BC.
As I step into the role of Vice President, Government Relations for AFP Greater Vancouver, I have been reflecting on how closely the work of fundraisers and non-profit organizations is connected to public policy. Fundraisers operate at the intersection of community need, philanthropy, and public systems. Government decisions shape not only funding environments but also the social and economic conditions affecting the communities our organizations serve. So what does this mean for our sector?
It’s a loaded question—so I’m delighted to introduce two new members to AFP Greater Vancouver’s Government Relations Committee: Jeanneth Jacome and Gillian Der! Both bring thoughtful sector perspectives and a strong interest in how non-profits, philanthropy, and public policy intersect. Together, our goal is to help AFP members better understand how policy developments affect the non-profit sector and to support constructive, non-partisan dialogue between government and the communities our organizations serve.
Back to the question, what does the release of BC Budget 2026 mean for our sector?
In the weeks following the budget announcement, I began connecting with government partners, policy organizations, and sector stakeholders to better understand how these decisions may affect non-profit organizations across the province. These conversations are not advocacy discussions, but opportunities to deepen mutual understanding of how philanthropy and community organizations work alongside public systems.
Below are some early observations and considerations for fundraisers and non-profit leaders.
A Budget Reflecting Fiscal Restraint
BC Budget 2026 reflects a period of fiscal restraint, with the province prioritizing deficit management while maintaining funding for core services such as healthcare, education, and social supports.
Policy analysts at BC Policy Solutions, in their post-budget analysis, note that the budget reflects a broader shift toward fiscal caution following several years of expanded pandemic-era spending. Their analysis suggests that slower growth in public investment may increase pressure on community organizations as governments balance affordability concerns with long-term fiscal planning.
For non-profits, periods of restrained public investment often coincide with increased service demand—particularly in areas connected to affordability, poverty reduction, and community wellbeing.
Government Perspective: Non-profits as Essential Partners
The province continues to emphasize the importance of non-profit organizations in delivering services across communities.
According to the Office of the Honourable Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, non-profits do critical work to enrich people’s lives and support basic needs—from arts, culture, and sports to healthcare, social services, housing supports, environmental advocacy, and food security programs. All ministries work with non-profit organizations to advance government priorities. In areas such as housing and shelter services, childcare, healthcare, employment supports, legal services, and community food programs, non-profits often serve as key delivery partners helping ensure services reach communities effectively.
Budget 2026 focuses on protecting core services such as healthcare, education, and social supports—areas where non-profits play major partnership and delivery roles. At the same time, the province is managing a historic deficit, resulting in spending restraint, expenditure management measures, and the deferral of some projects across ministries.
While no new dedicated funding streams for non-profits are introduced in this budget, the province highlights the continued importance of collaborative delivery models and the role non-profits play in strengthening community connections and improving access to services. Government funding for non-profits continues through multiple channels. One of the largest ongoing sources is the Community Gaming Grants program, which provides approximately $140 million annually to support community-based programs and services.
The province also highlights that in 2024 they invested $4.4B in social service sector agencies, including:
- Over $90M in unrestricted, multi-year grants using trust-based approaches that reduce administrative burden
- Over $50M supporting food security initiatives across BC
- $650,000 supporting Vantage Point in developing the BC Non-Profit Network (BCNN) to strengthen cross-sector capacity and collaboration
Infrastructure, Housing, and Community Impacts
The budget includes decisions to re-pace certain infrastructure investments, including some healthcare capital projects. In practical terms, re-pacing typically means extending timelines rather than cancelling projects—a tool governments use to manage short-term fiscal pressures while maintaining long-term commitments.
BC Policy Solutions’ analysis highlights that delays in infrastructure investments, combined with slower expansion in areas such as housing, may prolong affordability and service pressures already being experienced in many communities. Housing affordability remains one of the most significant drivers of demand for non-profit services across BC. Changes in housing investment can have cascading impacts on homelessness services, health outcomes, and community stability. For non-profit organizations, these dynamics often translate into sustained or increased demand for services and supports.
Economic Conditions and Philanthropy
Budget decisions related to taxation and public spending happen within a broader economic context that also shapes philanthropy. Changes affecting household affordability, employment stability, and business confidence can influence:
- Individual donor capacity
- Corporate giving strategies
- Sponsorship investment
- Long-term philanthropic commitments
Economic uncertainty can shift philanthropic giving toward essential services and locally visible causes—areas where many non-profits are already experiencing increased demand.
What This Means for Fundraisers
For fundraising professionals, BC Budget 2026 reinforces several important realities:
- Philanthropy is increasingly necessary to complement public systems
- Economic conditions influence donor behaviour and giving patterns
- Clear communication about community impact is more important during periods of fiscal restraint
- Ongoing, non-partisan engagement with policymakers strengthens shared understanding of sector realities
For AFP Greater Vancouver’s Government Relations Committee, government relations is about education, dialogue, and ensuring the lived experiences of communities are understood within broader policy conversations.
Looking Ahead
Our AFP Greater Vancouver Government Relations Committee will continue engaging with government partners, policy organizations, and sector leaders in the months ahead and will share reflections and learning with members as these conversations evolve.
On October 17th, municipalities across BC will be electing new representatives representing a fresh start for building relationships between non-profits and newly elected councils. The run up to the election represents a moment for fundraisers and non-profit leaders to monitor policy platforms and build strategies for engaging with these new governments. Preparation in advance of the election is essential as November and December are typically when municipalities present and vote on next year’s budget. In the lead up E-Day, we aim to continue the work of equipping fundraisers with the tools to quickly decipher the implications of policy platforms and municipal budgets.
We believe that healthy communities depend on strong relationships between philanthropy, non-profit organizations, and public institutions. Strengthening understanding across these spaces is an ongoing process—and one that benefits the entire sector.
If there are policy developments you would like the Government Relations Committee to explore in future reflections, we welcome hearing from members.
Perspectives referenced in this article draw on publicly available policy analysis from BC Policy Solutions and information provided by the Office of the Honourable Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction.
From the Government Relations Desk
AFP Greater Vancouver is committed to supporting ethical, non-partisan dialogue that strengthens understanding between policymakers and the fundraising profession. These reflections are intended to inform and educate our community as public policy conversations continue to evolve.
Nathania Fung
Vice President, Government Relations
AFP Greater Vancouver
