National Philanthropy Day 2026

National Philanthropy Day

Presented by AFP Greater Vancouver and generously sponsored by RBC, National Philanthropy Day and the Giving Hearts Awards will be held on Friday, November 13th, 2026, from 2:00 PM – 6:00PM. Conveniently located just steps from the Bridgeport Station on the Canada Line, the River Rock Resort will play host to this uplifting industry event that will shine a spotlight on incredible individuals, families, and organizations that embody the spirit of giving. The event will feature an array of gourmet food stations and passed canapes is designed for easy mingling and networking with your colleagues. Gather your team and join us for an incredible afternoon celebrating the philanthropic sector and community champions!

Tickets can be purchased here!

Program

1:30pm – New for 2026: Giving Hearts Awards Nominee and Nominator Pre-Reception
2:00pm – Doors open, Welcome Reception
3:30pm – Giving Hearts Awards Presentation
4:45pm – Dessert Reception
6:00pm – Event concludes

Giving Hearts Awards

We’re excited to introduce you to this year’s Giving Hearts Awards nominees, celebrating the incredible individuals, businesses, organizations, and community leaders who are making a meaningful difference across our region. From philanthropy and volunteerism to youth leadership, inclusion, equity, diversity, accessibility, and community involvement, this year’s nominees represent the many ways generosity can create lasting impact.

Outstanding Corporation Award

This award recognizes a corporation or corporate foundation that has demonstrated outstanding commitment through financial support, leadership, employee engagement, volunteerism, and community involvement.

Ventana — nominated by St. Paul’s Foundation, Variety BC & First Nations Health Foundation
Craftsman Collision — nominated by Lions Gate Hospital Foundation
The CCI Group of Companies — nominated by Surrey Hospitals Foundation and Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation
Capital Direct I Income Trust — nominated by VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, Make-A-Wish Canada, Cause We Care Foundation and YWCA BC
KPMG — nominated by Simon Fraser University and JA British Columbia
Centra Windows & Centra Install Pros — nominated by Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon, Covenant House Vancouver, Canuck Place Children’s Hospice and Canadian Mental Health Association – BC Division
Shoppers Drug Mart — nominated by BC Women’s Health Foundation

Outstanding Legacy Philanthropist Award

This award honours individuals or families who have created deferred legacy gifts to charitable organizations and demonstrated a lasting commitment to philanthropy and community service.

Moira Fitzpatrick — nominated by Heart & Stroke and Diabetes Canada
Philippa Ostler — nominated by Central City Foundation
Roberta Beiser — nominated by VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation
Jan Hayes and Walt Bruyns — nominated by Surrey Hospitals Foundation

Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser Award sponsored by PearTree Canada

This award recognizes the dedication and impact of volunteer fundraisers who give their time, energy, skills, and passion to advance important charitable causes.

Shelina Gwaduri-Dilgir — nominated by HelpAge Canada
Stella Chan — nominated by VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation and BC Children’s Hospital
Anna Baird — nominated by Canuck Place Children’s Hospice and CKNW Kids’ Fund
Surrey Fire Fighters Charitable Society — nominated by Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon, Simon Fraser University, BC Cancer Foundation and Surrey Hospitals Foundation
Gary Thandi — nominated by Paarull Communications Limited
Wendy Lee — nominated by Chinese Canadian Museum and Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre

Spirit of Generosity Award sponsored by Global Philanthropic

This award honours individuals or families with a proven record of impactful generosity and charitable responsibility at the local, regional, or international level.

Peter & Heather Buckley — nominated by Lions Gate Hospital Foundation, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, Family Services, of the North Shore, Whole Way House, and VGH & UBC Hospital
Floyd and Gloria Murphy — nominated by Alzheimer Society of BC and Yukon, Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival, and Arts Club Theatre Company
Ms. Arlene James — nominated by Simon Fraser University and Ballet BC
Terry Salman — nominated by Canuck Place Children’s Hospice and Vancouver Public Library Foundation
Jack and Sylvia Gin Foundation — nominated by Chinese Canadian Museum, Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation and St. Paul’s Foundation

Outstanding Youth Philanthropist Award

This award celebrates young people making a difference through philanthropy, fundraising, leadership, volunteerism, advocacy, and community involvement — reminding us that philanthropy has no age limit.

VGH Youth Leadership Team — nominated by VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation
Cailyn Sinclair — nominated by BreakthroughT1D Canada
Olivia Xing — nominated by The Monarch Missions Association
Verity Leung — nominated by Kinbrace Community Society
Max Wang — nominated by HamOnt Youth

Outstanding IDEA Inspiration Award

This award celebrates a charitable organization demonstrating an unwavering commitment to Inclusion, Equity, Diversity, and Accessibility (IDEA) and making a transformative impact through its initiatives and leadership.

Beedie Luminaries Foundation — nominated by Simon Fraser University and the University of British Columbia
YWCA BC — nominated by YWCA BC

Outstanding Small Business Award

This award recognizes a small business that has demonstrated a meaningful commitment to philanthropy and community involvement.

Wheaton Precious Metals — nominated by Family Services of the North Shore
BC Dairy — nominated by Canuck Place Children’s Hospice and Backpack Buddies BC

National Philanthropy Day 2026