Giving Back to Our Communities

Our values are more than just words, they are a way of life, and the principles that guide our business actions extend to our local communities. BCI is committed to corporate social responsibility, and proudly celebrates the long history of support our people have shown for community and philanthropic initiatives.

As BCI continues to grow and evolve, we are strengthening our approach to community engagement. Inspired by our people and their commitment to giving back, we have focused our time and resources on the areas that matter most to our employees, and align to our corporate values.

Where We Focus

Community Resilience

We help to create strong, healthy communities for all where we live and work through a wide range of causes and organizations our employees care about.

Financial Literacy

We support access to education that empowers youth and adults to build foundational financial skills, as well as gain exposure to the possibilities of a career in finance.

EDI in our Industry

We champion initiatives, programs, and opportunities that accelerate collective action to address the existence of systemic racism, inequalities, and discrimination in our industry.

Initiatives from our Portfolio

As an active, global investor, we support our portfolio companies in their commitments to making a difference in their local communities, in British Columbia and around the world.

BCI in the Community

Our commitment manifests in many ways — from each employee receiving paid time off each year to volunteer for an organization of their choice, to grassroots employee-led committees, and corporate fundraising initiatives.

Making a Local Impact
BCI employees contributed more than $60,000 to support the United Way Southern Vancouver Island in 2023. Beyond financial support, our grassroots campaign committee went the extra mile to create diverse opportunities for our people to make a positive impact.

Our team's efforts led to an impressive collection of clothing and hygiene items, donated to Victoria Cool Aid Society shelters across the Greater Victoria Area. Employees dedicated 100+ cumulative hours volunteering at the Soap for Hope Canada warehouse, directly contributing to the well-being of those in need. The committee hosted a speaker event showcasing how non-profits work together within a complex ecosystem. A highlight of the campaign was the second-ever charity ping-pong tournament where 16 teams used their competitive spirit to make a difference.

Since 2000, employees have raised over $1.2 million for the United Way.

Bringing the Classroom to the Boardroom

During Financial Literacy Month, BCI's Financial Literacy Committee welcomed 36 Indigenous middle school students from the Saanich and Sooke districts to our head office in Victoria, British Columbia for our second annual Youth Financial Literacy Day.

Organized in collaboration with JA British Columbia (JABC), this innovative initiative includes a day of customized financial literacy programming designed to engage local youth through essential financial topics such as saving, spending, and budgeting. It builds on many years of our employees volunteering in the classroom and creates a unique educational experience for attendees.

Over 15 BCI volunteers contributed their time and expertise to coordinate the day, facilitate exercises, and deliver engaging material in collaboration with JABC's Program Director for Indigenous Communities.

Fundraising for causes we care about

BCI’s public markets team raised over $210,000 for Island Kids Cancer Association (IKCA) through its annual charity golf tournament. Led by a small but mighty organizing committee, the team hosted over 100 golfers at Cordova Bay Golf Course in Victoria, B.C. IKCA helps families on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands navigate the life-changing diagnosis of childhood cancer, including providing access to resources like financial assistance and mental health support.

Supporting Indigenous Financial Literacy

BCI supports JABC’s work to deliver culturally appropriate, accessible programs intended for Indigenous youth across B.C. Through a sponsorship, we are helping to increase content focused on financial literacy and entrepreneurial skills for Indigenous learners and ensure programs are delivered by Indigenous volunteers.

Making a Difference in Our Community
HeroWork Victoria recognized BCI with a HeroAward in 2023, highlighting the impact BCIers have had on our community. From August to December of 2022, BCIers volunteered nearly 200 hours toward a project with Victoria Cool Aid Society's Downtown Community Centre. Thanks to our legal affairs team who championed our involvement, BCI was the largest corporate source of volunteers for the project.

Working with Youth on Vancouver Island

Our internal financial literacy committee organized over 20 BCI volunteers, including portfolio managers, investment strategists and financial analysts, to deliver financial literacy education to almost 300 students at Spencer Middle School in Langford, B.C. Members of our public markets department leveraged their experience to develop and deliver a special investing module in collaboration with JABC.

Recognized as an Industry Community Champion

The CFA Society Victoria recognized BCI with a Community Champion Award in 2022. Highlights include sponsorship of events, like the annual forecast dinner, partnering on initiatives and programs, like joint efforts with the CFA Institute Research Foundation and Women in Capital Markets to advance industry EDI, and ongoing support for employees.

Recognizing the Generosity of Our Employees

We were honoured to receive the Leadership Giving Award from the United Way of Southern Vancouver Island (UWSVI) in May of 2023. This award recognizes the generosity of BCIers who have given back to this important organization for more than two decades. Since 2000, BCI employees have organized an annual giving campaign that has increased awareness and raised more than $1.2 million for the UWSVI.

Our Employees Giving Back

Many of our community activities are grassroots. We are fortunate to have employees who give their time and talent to organize opportunities to give back across the corporation. BCI has two employee-led internal committees focused on community resilience and financial literacy.

Financial Literacy Committee

Since 2014, more than 80 employees from across BCI have volunteered their time to deliver over 160 programs with JA British Columbia (JABC), reaching an estimated 4,500 students ranging from grade four to 12. In 2019, members of BCI’s public markets department established an internal financial literacy committee to develop a deeper partnership with JABC and to continue to expand BCI’s work in furthering financial literacy. The employee-led committee has since grown to include members and volunteers from across BCI.

BCI is a major sponsor of JABC’s More Than Money program – a student-centric offering for grade four and five students focused on money management, personal banking, earning income, business planning, and responsible use of credit.

United Way Campaign Committee

Since 2000, BCI employees have organized an annual giving campaign to increase awareness of the needs in our community and raise funds for the United Way of Southern Vancouver Island. Together, BCI employees have contributed more than $1.2 million providing support to those facing mental health challenges and addictions, reducing food insecurity for families, connecting isolated seniors to meals and companionship and to create inclusive and equitable communities where our employees call home.

BCI was recognized with the Naden Band Spirit of Excellence Award for our employees’ longstanding commitment.

Our Clients

Investing on behalf of our province’s public sector, our activities help finance the retirement benefits of 715,000 plan members, and the insurance and benefit funds for over 2.5 million workers.

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