Tom Porteous was no stranger to the charitable sector when he joined BC SVP three years ago. He acts as the chair of CIBC Wood Gundy’s Caring for Kids Foundation, and had also served on several boards in Vancouver. He values the SVP model, though, because it gives him the chance to get really engaged.

“SVP allows me to get really involved in shaping a project, and that’s important to me,” he says. “I’m not interested in chequebook philanthropy. I’ve seen first-hand that these groups need critical thinking as much as they need cash.”

BC SVP has also been a “springboard” for Tom to be well-informed about the nonprofit groups working to help children in the Lower Mainland. CIBC’s Caring for Kids Foundation has become a Granter for many of the same groups that BCT SVP funded and coached – “groups that I wouldn’t have even known about if it weren’t for SVP,” Tom explains. Caring for Kids gave out $225,000 in 2006, and Tom estimates that 90% of those applicants came through his involvement with SVP. And knowing that all BC SVP Grantees are backed up by the time and expertise of a Partner team is part of what makes them such good Grantees for Caring for Kids.

“It’s been a great fit for our foundation. Previously, we were funding a hot breakfast program, but we wanted to expand our mandate to help these kids throughout the day. That’s where programs like Kidsafe, HIPPY, and the Respect, Safety and Violence Prevention Program at Family Services come in. Ultimately, all the benefits go to the same group of children and that’s really powerful.”