Nonprofit Organizations in Vancouver

The Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society is a registered secular non-profit organization with year-round programming in the arts and culture scene. Our mission is to foster, promote and celebrate the arts and cultural diversity that Asian-Canadian communities bring to Canadian society. Since 1996, VAHMS has worked closely with local Asian-Canadian communities and organizations that support our vision of becoming the main hub for celebrating Asian-Canadian arts and culture in the Metro-Vancouver area. Our signature project is explorASIAN, a Metro-Vancouver festival showcasing pan-Asian Canadian arts and culture during Asian Heritage Month in May. This year (2021) is the 25th anniversary of both VAHMS and explorASIAN.

The Vancouver Biennale is a non-profit charitable organization that exhibits great art in public space, creating a catalyst for learning, community engagement, dialogue, and social action. Our mission is to make Public Art accessible, engaging, and motivating to create vibrant and inspired communities.

The Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association (VBGA), a CRA registered charity, and the City of Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation jointly operate VanDusen Botanical Garden and Bloedel Conservatory. Both organisations share responsibility for the day to day running of the Gardens in a close and long-standing relationship, since the 1970’s. VBGA Mission The VBGA’s mission is to engage people of all ages and walks of life in the importance of biodiversity to our lives, and to foster a lifelong love of plants and gardens by virtue of their participation in our programs and services.

Founded in 2011, Vancouver Cabaret exists to connect professional Vancouver-based circus artists with an audience, enabling large ideas to take the stage, as well as to inspire the local community by presenting acclaimed work by national and international circus performers.

VCBIA (Vancouver Chinatown Business Improvement Area) Society is a community- based not-for-profit organization situated in a rich cultural and historical Chinatown neighbourhood in Vancouver, BC. VCBIA Society enables businesses, promotes vibrancy, and enhances the well-being of the Chinatown Community. VCBIA Society's mandates include but not limited to: develop, encourage, promote, and protect businesses in the Vancouver Chinatown Business Improvement Area, make studies of, and advance any project, plan, or other improvement intended to benefit the VCBIA members, promote matters of common concern to businesses and property owners in the Vancouver Chinatown Business Improvement Area, represent its members to all levels of government on matters of common concern. We achieve our mission through our commitment to the principles of innovation, integration, and collaboration, by acting with passion and integrity, and by encouraging community stakeholders' involvement that focuses on economic resilience and sustainability.  

TO DEVELOP, encourage and promote business in the Chinatown Business Improvement Area; TO MAKE studies of, and advance any project, plan, or improvement designed to benefit the Chinatown Business Improvement Area; TO COOPERATE with and aid any person, body, group, or association in projects designed to benefit the Chinatown Improvement; TO RAISE revenue to carry out the purposes of the Society; TO PROMOTE matters of common concern and interest to businesses and property owners in the Chinatown Business Improvement Area, and to bring together businesses and property owners in the Chinatown Business Improvement Area for fulfilling the purposes of the Society.

Vancouver Coastal Health - Community Volunteer Resources purpose is to enhance Community Health Services through volunteerism. Our volunteers are diverse and united in their concern for others. We are committed to supporting healthy lives in healthy communities in Vancouver.

The Vancouver Comic Arts Festival is comprised of comics-related events, including readings, presentations, panel discussions, and a large exhibition area featuring publishers and comic authors and artists.

The Vancouver Comic Arts Association runs the Vancouver Comics Arts Festival, or VanCAF! A two day festival at the Yaletown Roundhouse Community Centre that celebrates a diversity of voices and opens readers to new experiences; creates discussions through comics; and make comics creation and the reading of comics as accessible as possible.

Our Story: Created in 2006 by Carlie Smith and inspired by the famous art and design markets of Europe, Portobello West’s goal is to introduce Vancouver’s style conscious shoppers to the creative pool of artists and designers working here. Now operating as a not-for-profit society, Portobello West is governed by a Board of Directors and a Marketing, Communications and Events Manager. Portobello West remains Vancouver’s premiere SHOP LOCAL market. Voted by the Georgia Straight readers as one of the Top 3 Artisan/Craft Fairs from 2010-2018, Portobello West features a high quality selection of carefully crafted goods worth gushing over. Our Goal: For over 12-years, Portobello West has sought and presented top-notch emerging and established local talent. Featuring up to 90-local artists and designers at a time, Portobello West’s seasonal markets offers up a curated selection of locally designed fashion, art, home decor, gourmet treats, wine & spirits, and more. Our hope is to foster a sense of support and community for local creatives living and working here. We endeavor to inspire a legion of shoppers that are committed to purchasing one-of-a kind creations from our exquisite Pacific Northwest roster of artists and designers. An atmosphere of excitement and exploration awaits you during each of our seasonal signature events! We look forward to welcoming you!

Vancouver Fashion Week (VFW) is a one-of-a-kind event that continuously brings together buyers, media, celebrities, industry professionals and innovative designers from around the world to celebrate creativity and fashion. Diversity and multiculturalism are VFW's core values. This semi-annual event has been host to a range of collections from street wear to eco-friendly garments. VFW has established itself as a highly successful and widely recognized event providing a forum to nurture and celebrate the fashion industry. In recent years, VFW has featured internationally acclaimed designers such as Ha Sang Beg, in addition to emerging designers such as Pauline van Dongen.

Vancouver Fashion Week is recruiting volunteers for the upcoming season that will be held at the Chinese Cultural Center of Greater Vancouver from September 19-25, 2016. With the addition of the Vancouver Kids Fashion Show, this season is going to be like nothing you have seen before! We are currently looking for Hair Stylists! If you are interested, please fill out the corresponding form: For Hair Stylists: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1PLkoCl9qtyGgsNHmxwN33BQT7aOddVV-KCGJlqlw66s/edit?usp=drive_web If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us! We look forward to working with our local community to create an amazing Spring/Summer 2017 fashion week event.