British Columbia’s non-profit sector is only as strong as the organizations within it — and for more than 80 years, Vantage Point has been quietly making sure those organizations have what they need to thrive. From its roots as a volunteer matching bureau in 1943 to its current role as a province-wide hub for leadership development, governance, and organizational growth, Vantage Point has become one of BC’s most essential behind-the-scenes forces for good. We spoke with Operations Intern Felicia Gunawan to learn more about the work, the history, and what’s coming up next.
Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.
Vantage Point is a BC non-profit that supports other non-profit organizations through training, resources, facilitation, consulting, and advocacy. Its work focuses on strengthening the non-profit sector by helping organizations improve in areas such as governance, leadership, human resources, and strategic planning, so they can create a stronger impact in their communities.
What problem does it aim to solve?
Vantage Point aims to help BC non-profits overcome leadership and organizational challenges. Through training, resources, consulting, and advocacy, Vantage Point helps organizations strengthen the way they work, build stronger connections, and better serve their communities.
When did you start/join it?
Vantage Point was founded in 1943 as the Central Volunteer Bureau of Vancouver, originally created to provide volunteer matching services throughout the city. Over time, the organization evolved to meet the changing needs of the non-profit sector and now focuses on strengthening leadership, governance, and organizational effectiveness across BC’s non-profit community.
What made you want to get involved?
Vantage Point became involved in this work because it recognized the important role non-profits play in shaping communities across British Columbia. As the needs of the sector changed, the organization saw an opportunity to move beyond traditional volunteer matching and support non-profits in deeper ways, including leadership development, governance, planning, and people engagement. Its work is driven by the belief that when non-profit leaders are supported and equipped with the right tools, they can create stronger organizations and greater community impact.
What was the situation like when you started?
When Vantage Point first began, the focus was on connecting volunteers with organizations that needed support. By the early 2000s, the organization saw that the needs of the non-profit sector were changing, traditional volunteer roles were becoming less appealing, and non-profit organizations needed stronger support in areas like governance, leadership planning, and people engagement. This shift encouraged Vantage Point to rethink its role and grow beyond volunteer matching.
How has it changed since?
Since then, Vantage Point has grown into an organization supporting BC’s non-profit sector. Today, we work with thousands of individuals from more than 1,500 organizations each year through training, consulting, facilitation, convening, and advocacy. Our work has expanded across the province, supporting non-profit leaders and organizations as they navigate challenges, strengthen their teams, and increase their impact in the communities they serve.
Where can we follow you?
