Our Mission

Central City Foundation invests in community-led solutions that help people in the inner city improve their lives.

About CENTRAL CITY FOUNDATION

The Central City Foundation is a charitable foundation that continues the work of the Central City Mission Society that was founded in 1907 and is one of Vancouver’s oldest charitable organizations. In addition to providing grants to community organizations, the Central City Foundation holds social purpose real estate assets that include the Abbott Mansions and the Cosmopolitan Hotel that provide safe, affordable housing to more than 100 Downtown Eastside residents, a community childcare and family centre in Strathcona, BC’s pnly long term youth drug and alcohol residential treatment Facility as well as a social purpose real estate asset in New Westminster.

We mobilize capital and invest in innovative community solutions that help people in the inner city improve their lives. We’re different from other foundations because we invest all our resources, including both our capital and income, in pursuit of this goal. Approximately fifty per cent of our assets invested right here in our community in social purpose real estate that provides significant community benefit and generates financial returns. We also support food security programs, health, social enterprises, prevention and treatment programs for children and youth and more.

Central City Foundation is unique in our whole-system, community-wide approach. Unlike other organizations that might focus on a single concern, we look at the many interconnected elements that come together in a community where hope can triumph.

It is our goal to help build a resilient, caring and inclusive community where it is possible for all people to overcome injustice, participate and thrive.