Gifting with heart this season
Photo source: Unsplash
T’is the season and many of us are looking for places to give. I like to give gifts to my family on behalf of charity. Sometimes we put together backpacks for the homeless. Sometimes we buy goats for farmers overseas. Sometimes we purchase school supplies for kids who can’t afford them or for classrooms that are required to supply them. I like to donate to the food banks, I volunteer with Christmas Care (because it saved my family one year). And yes, we do this all year long but it’s this time of year when gifting reaches a new level. If you are wondering where to direct your gifting this year, here are some ideas.
We started this page in 2019, and wanted to repost with 2025 updates!
Where to Donate to LGBTQ2+ Groups in Vancouver
Rainbow Refugee
What it does: Supports people seeking refugee protection in Canada because of persecution based on sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or related grounds. In British Columbia they work with LGBTQIA+ / HIV+ refugee claimants to provide peer support, referrals, navigation, and resettlement support. Rainbow Refugee remains active, and as of recent years reports having supported 1,200+ LGBTQIA+ refugees in BC, while also working with refugees overseas. Their work includes advocacy, sponsorships (through “Circles of Hope”), and long-term support beyond just legal processes — makes them a strong choice for a donation- or volunteer-spotlight.
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/rainbow-refugee-society/
Qmunity
Qmunity remains Vancouver’s central queer, trans, and 2S community centre. It offers a range of programs: counselling, peer support, community and social groups, youth services, seniors services, legal clinics, and general resources and referral services. Qmunity continues to be a foundational hub for many queer and trans people in Vancouver — a resource for social connection, support, crisis help, and community building. Services appear more expansive now, aiming to meet needs across generations (youth through seniors), and offering low-barrier counselling or social supports.
AIDS Vancouver → now Ribbon Community Society
AIDS Vancouver has long been one of the primary HIV/AIDS service organizations in Vancouver. Recent change: In 2024 AIDS Vancouver rebranded itself as Ribbon Community Society. Their services (support, outreach, resource centre, grocery program, advocacy, etc.) remain essential. The rebranding signals that they are active and adapting for the future.
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/3205
Sher Vancouver
Sher Vancouver is a community charity serving queer and trans South Asian people and their friends/ally networks. It provides peer support, counselling, community connection. It reflects growing recognition of the need for intersectional support (culture, race, gender, sexuality). It is often overlooked in broader queer-resource lists. Your donation to Sher Pride directly supports LGBTQ+ South Asians by funding vital services like counseling, support groups, and community events.
https://www.sherpride.ca/donate
Dignity Seniors
Dedicated to affecting systemic change that creates culturally appropriate services for 2SLGBTQIA+ seniors across British Columbia. Systemic, societal, and individual experiences of oppression, erasure and invisibility are not new for our 2SLGBTQIA+ seniors; we have survived with tremendous strength and resilience for many decades. As our communities become especially vulnerable toward the last stages of their lives, we work to support them and advocate on their behalf.
Give to the Food Bank
CBC had their 2025 Open House & Food Bank Day on December 3.
But you can donate to a BC Food Bank fund any day, just click on the button below! You can choose a town or city from a dropdown menu or you can just donate to the fund in general. This is such a good tool and you can use it any day, you don’t have to wait for CBC’s Food Bank Day! I’ve put a big button below to help you get there. Of course, this is a charity and you will receive a tax receipt!
Contribute to Community Fridges
Many groups in Vancouver stock community fridges and pantries around Vancouver throughout the year. Here are ways you can donate to these campaigns:
Democratic Socialist of Vancouver Solidarity Fridge Stock - this group of hardy volunteers has been stocking fridges and pantries for a few years now. They go out the last Saturday of the month, and welcome volunteers.
Vancouver Community Fridge Project - a decentralized food distribution network and mutual aid initiative created to provide healthy, free food and essential supplies to our communities across lower mainland. Also welcomes volunteers.
Homeless at Christmas
Our list of places to give is endless of course, so we’re going to give you one more list. Here are places to help those of us living on the streets this Christmas.
Union Gospel Mission - Meals, shelter and outreach. Donate here ->
Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood House - nurturing food security, education, and connection — empowering children, families, and elders to grow, learn, and thrive together. Donate here →
Covenant House Vancouver - Providing love and hope to Vancouver's homeless and at-risk street youth. We help young people aged 16 to 24 who have fled physical, emotional and sexual abuse; those who have been forced from their homes; and those who have aged out of foster care. Donate here ->
If you know of a resource we have not listed please send it to us here at whatsonqueerbc@gmail.com
Speaking of Charity Receipts
Many people find giving easier if they get a tax credit at income tax time. Only qualified donees, including Canadian registered charities, can issue official donation receipts for gifts they receive from individuals and corporations. Find a charity or other qualified donee, their current status and any available public information here —>