Giving back to the communities where we work is one of three principles that have guided Concert Properties' operations since we were founded in 1989. In 2023, our people-first philosophy continues to guide us as we raise funds and volunteer our time to help others in need. Throughout the year, we partnered with 15 organizations across Canada that are making a positive impact in our communities. Here are just a few examples:
Annual Charity Golf Tournaments
Our annual charity golf tournaments held in Vancouver and Toronto bring together our valued partners, consultants and suppliers to have fun on the course while supporting a cause that affects the entire real estate industry – the supply of skilled trades. We raised over $300,000 this year thanks to the generosity of our sponsors. These funds will benefit four trades training institutions across Canada - the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), Camosun College, Central Ontario Building Trades and George Brown College.
Union Gospel Mission
Concert Properties was proud to be the lead sponsor of the annual summer BBQ hosted by Union Gospel Mission (UGM). This major event for Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside community served over 4,000 meals and provided family fun and games. Over 30 Concert Properties' employees volunteered to support UGM's mission of providing meals for those facing poverty and homelessness.
Youth Without Shelter
Concert Properties employees participated in Youth Without Shelter's (YWS) annual Youth Engagement Day at their 53-bed shelter in Etobicoke, where we organized games and a BBQ lunch. As part of our corporate sponsorship, our Property Management team also conducted a food drive that delivered a total of 3,170 pounds of food to the YWS food bank. Additionally, we contributed $5,000 along with donated items worth a total of $2,500 as part of their Home for the Holidays campaign. We look forward to building on our nearly decade-long partnership as part of our ongoing commitment to support youth experiencing homelessness in the Toronto area.
BC Children’s Hospital Foundation
The Jean Up Campaign is an annual fundraising initiative to support BC Children's Hospital. This year, our employees sported denim while raising funds, which were then matched by Concert Properties for a total donation of $6,200. These funds contributed to groundbreaking research and technologies aimed at improving the health of children and families in BC.
BC Cancer Foundation
Concert Properties employees took part in the Workout to Conquer Cancer, BC Cancer Foundation’s month-long fitness challenge. After a month of daily lunch-hour workouts, our team exceeded their target, raising a total of $3,230 for research and the detection and treatment of cancer in BC.
Our Place Society
Since 2015, Concert Properties has been a sponsor of Hungry Hearts, a culinary fundraiser benefiting Victoria’s Our Place Society. This year's event raised a record $215,000, bringing the total support provided by Concert Properties' sponsorship and volunteer commitment to over $1,000,000. The funds contribute to vital programs and services offered by Our Place Society, addressing the needs of individuals struggling with poverty, homelessness, mental health challenges and substance use issues in Greater Victoria.
Cause We Care
Concert Properties donated $5,000 to Cause We Care, an organization dedicated to supporting single mother-led families in need. Our team also participated in their annual Holiday Care Package campaign, volunteering time to assemble packages for these families.
Holiday Helpers
Holiday Helpers’ mission is to provide a personalized Christmas package including a holiday meal, decorated Christmas tree and customized Christmas gifts to low-income families with young children in the Greater Toronto Area. Concert Properties’ Toronto sales team volunteered with Holiday Helpers to deliver the packages and experienced first-hand the joy these deliveries brought.
Binners’ Project
This holiday season, we kicked off our 3rd Annual Winter Donation Drive in support of Binners’ Project, a group of informal recyclable collectors aided by support staff. This month our employees donated new and lightly used winter clothing as well as ready-to-eat food, and personally handed out the donated items to members of the project. Concert Properties has supported Binners' Project since 2017, with one of the participants coming weekly to our head office to collect recyclables.
We benefit from the work we do across Canada, and these (and many other) initiatives provide an opportunity for us to give back by sharing our time and resources with the communities where we work. A big thank you to all who have helped us pay it forward in 2023!