Vancity grant inspires creative thinking at Children’s Festival

Several years ago, the world-renowned Vancouver International Children’s Festival faced an uncertain future. After more than 30 years delighting children and their families, the Festival was struggling as a result of reduced government funding and the effects of the economic downturn.

A grant from Vancity through the Shared Success Economic Recovery Fund enabled the Festival to engage in a strategic visioning process. This led to significant changes, including the move to a new location, which reduced operating costs by nearly 40 per cent. A recent increase in the Festival’s line of credit is also helping the organization meet the upfront and ongoing expenses associated with mounting the yearly event.