Photo by Kyla Hemmelgarn

Help Support Making the Vision a Reality – Here’s How

The Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative Society (HSBRIS) leads the effort to bring together a “community of communities” in this region, working with First Nations, all levels of government, individuals, businesses, and organizations towards a shared vision for the entire Átl’ḵa7tsem/ Howe Sound watershed – a vision that can be brought into reality with your support.

The future of this region is in all our hands – a future where biodiversity is protected, people and companies benefit from a sustainable economy, and current and future residents and visitors are able to enjoy the region’s natural, cultural, and social resources. You CAN make a difference!

We welcome donations, in-kind gifts, charitable bequests and other contributions to help support our programs. Receipts for income tax purposes are available for all cash donations. HSBRIS’s registered charity number is 70613 0697 RR001.

We welcome funds for what is needed most for core support for our organization. We also administer the Howe Sound Marine Debris Fund, Gambier Island Streamkeepers, and Signage Revival for Horseshoe Bay. When you donate through Canada Helps, select the fund from the dropdown menu.

Ways to Give - All gifts are gratefully received

  • By Cheque payable to Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative Society. Mail to us at PO Box 465, Lions Bay, BC V0N2E0

  • By Interac e-Transfer Our e-mail address for transfers is treasurer@howesoundbri.org. Transfers are automatically deposited in our bank account, so no questions and answers are required.

  • Online via Canada Helps, which will give you the option for one-time or monthly donations, and will email your tax receipt.

  • Make a one-time or monthly charitable gift of stocks, through the West Vancouver Foundation’s Howe Sound Biosphere Fund. Cash donations to this Fund are also accepted.

  • By charitable bequest of a specific amount, a percentage of your estate, or assets such as real estate, stocks, or bonds. A gift through your will can be a powerful way to leave a lasting legacy, and one that can be tailored to fit your specific intentions. Depending on your personal situation, you may want to work with an estate lawyer to prepare a will that optimizes tax benefits for your heirs. You can also include charitable bequests in a will that you create yourself through an online resource. If you already have a will, Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative can be added as a beneficiary through a codicil - a document that lets you amend your will without re-writing it. Please speak with your lawyer or other professional advisor or contact us for more information: ruthsimons@howesoundbri.org

  • Through a gift of life insurance, by naming the Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative Society as the beneficiary of a new or existing life insurance policy. This can provide for a significant future gift at a present cost that is affordable and can leverage future tax benefits. Your professional advisor can assist in arranging for this type of gift.

  • Through Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs) or Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs) donations, by naming Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative Society as a full or partial beneficiary. Tax receipts are provided for the amount donated; your professional advisor should be consulted in planning for this type of gift.

If you have an in-kind service or item you think we could benefit from, please reach out to us at ruthsimons@howesoundbri.org with a description of what you can offer and we will get back to you.

All gifts are gratefully accepted and we will be pleased to discuss opportunities for acknowledgement. For more information, contact Ruth Simons: ruthsimons@howesoundbri.org

Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative Society is a BC registered Charity Incorporated under the BC Societies Act #S0067740.

 Other Ways to Support Us

There are other ways you can support and advocate for a better future for Átl'ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound.

Talk to Others

Talk to your family, friends, neighbours, colleagues, employers, employees, elected officials, political candidates and others about the Initiative and what it could mean for Howe Sound. Let us know what you find out!

Invite Us

Invite us to come to your community, organization, or company to give a presentation, host a Q&A session, facilitate a workshop, or other creative ways of engaging.

Volunteer

There are different ways to volunteer in the region, be it short term or long term, one-off or on-going. Get in touch, we’d love to hear from you!