Leading in our communities

We believe in supporting local non-profit and charitable organizations who serve the most vulnerable in our communities. We leverage our financial strength and our social vision, Lead Well, which fosters employee engagement to create capacity in the social sector though knowledge- and skills-based volunteerism.

496 employees
used their leadership abilities and professional skills to create capacity for local charities.

1,741 days volunteered

First West employees spent 13,060 hours leading by helping those in need and using their skills to build our communities.

1,336,362 meals

Feed the Valley and The Full Cupboard—our signature cause programs—generated $445,454 and 13,674 pounds of food, equivalent to hundreds of thousands of meals for British Columbians

Leading in our communities

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“I love helping others, so I welcomed the chance to use my customer service expertise as a Full Cupboard champion. It’s incredibly fulfilling to use my professional skills to build teams that are inspired to make a difference in our communities.”

Daphne Swift, Financial Services Advisor, Island Savings

Recognizing local community leaders

Recognizing local community leaders

Our Simple Generosity program celebrated Canada 150 by recognizing the volunteers, non-profit organizations and charities that make meaningful contributions in our communities.

Leading in our communities

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“Most of my life, I’ve strongly advocated for freedom and equality. It’s an honour to pair that with my business expertise to help business organizations, community groups and women’s professional networks inspire women of all walks of life.”

Mehran Aazamifard, Business Banking Advisor, Envision Financial

185 community projects, 535 employees, 1,984 hours

185 community projects, 535 employees, 1,984 hours

Our Make a Difference Days encourages First West employees to volunteer in their communities. Working in partnership with local non-profit agencies, employees are boots on the ground, ready to jump in and support a variety of projects, from sorting and distributing food at local food banks to painting walls and building fences. Since 2007, we’ve taken part in 454 community projects and served 9,491 hours in our communities.

The First West Foundation

The credit union's companion grant-making charity has been working to create resilient and resourceful communities since 1996.

$673,000 granted

$673,000 granted

from the foundation’s 15 endowments and charitable giving campaign in 2017

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$81,000 pledged

by employees to support Foundation endowments, local United Ways, our Feed the Valley and The Full Cupboard programs and key partner charities in our communities.

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Support from the First West Foundation helped scores of local charities deliver programs and services to help build community resilience and resourcefulness.

Foundation Growth

Economic Impact

Employee Highlights