COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

The Bay Centre remains focused on partnerships with local stakeholders and leading non-profit community organizations who contribute to strengthening the health and wellness of the downtown community.

In 2023, the Bay Centre donated over $661,000 through the shopping centre’s partnership program with the majority being in-centre space and third party fundraisers hosted at the Bay Centre, including key major events such as the Festival of Trees in support of BC Children’s Hospital Foundation.

BC CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION

The Bay Centre wants to thank our community, tree sponsors, and volunteers for helping raise over $135,500 in support of BC Children’s Hospital through Festival of Trees Victoria display in 2025. Since the Bay Centre started hosting the annual display in 2015 over $1.7 million has been raised supporting children and families residing at BC Children’s Hospital.

The 2025 festival featured almost 80 trees decorated by local businesses, ranging from high-tech themes to stunning over-the-top designs. Each tree served as a symbol of hope for the 3,766 children and their families from Vancouver Island who visited BC Children’s Hospital in 2024.

CLOTHING SWAP

As part of the Centre’s commitment to the community and sustainable initiatives, the Centre hosts seasonal clothing swap in partnership with Used.ca. From the first clothing swap in September 2020 to date, over 20,900 lbs. of clothing items have been given a new purpose. All remaining items from the  clothing swaps are donated to the Victoria Women in Need Community Cooperative – providing essential programs for women, trans, non-binary and Two Spirit people that deliver practical and empowering support along their own journey between crisis, financial self-sufficiency and wellness.

The Bay Centre’s clothing swaps in partnership with Used.ca were created as an avenue to give back to our community while keeping sustainability in mind.

COMMUNITY COLLABORATIONS

Bay Centre is proud to provide space for community collaborations featuring local makers and artists through pop-up shops, events, and window displays. This is part of our commitment to support and incubate local markers creating a positive impact through sustainable business practices.

Bay Centre believes in building lasting community relationships and enhancing the lives of the people in our community by contributing to the health and wellness of those living in downtown Victoria, either by our corporate involvement or through the services we provide in our shopping centre.

As part of our commitment to giving back, we provide in-kind donations through gift cards to a wide variety of groups that approach us on a monthly basis for support. We also provide space in our shopping centre for non-profit groups to build awareness for their causes. Please note that this space is limited and preference will be given to organizations that have partnered with the Bay Centre on a broader scale.

We are proud to be part of the Downtown Victoria community and welcome your request for consideration. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with our giving guidelines below.

GIVING GUIDELINES AND EXCLUSIONS

Bay Centre’s charitable donations program is community-oriented, with a primary focus on the local health and wellness of the Downtown Victoria community. Bay Centre provides funds to non-profit organizations and preference will be given to organizations that have been granted a charitable registration number by Revenue Canada. Assistance includes the donation of in-kind space, cash, in-kind or volunteer donations.

Donations will typically not be considered for agencies falling into the following categories:

• Organizations that are not registered charities;
• Political parties or candidates;
• Religious groups (except for secular activities open to those of all faiths, such as operating a home for the elderly);
• Individual pursuits and private foundations;
• Lobbying or advocacy groups;
• Purchase of tickets for fundraising events;
• Duplication of direct and indirect donations to affiliate organizations and agencies where generous support already exists;
• Service clubs, fraternal organizations or third parties raising funds for a charity;
• Private pre-schools, elementary or secondary schools. (Assistance may be provided to community-based charitable groups working to enhance public pre-school, elementary or secondary school programs);
• Youth sports teams (e.g. Little League) unless they are a registered charity.

All requests must be received in writing either by e-mail or mail. Requests are reviewed in a timely manner and we endeavour to respond to all requests within six weeks of the date the application is received however the Bay Centre does not respond to form letters.

For more information on the Bay Centre’s Sponsorships & Donations Program, please contact Adrienne Lockstead, Marketing Director, at Adrienne.Lockstead@jll.com.