Did you know?

More than 100 young leaders have graduated from the Youth Now program.

Each year, over 100 non-profit professionals attend our training opportunities.

Over two dozen non-profit organizations have participated in the Youth Now program.

The CCRR provides nearly 400 child care referrals per year.

On average, the CCRR hosts 30 workshops and training courses each year.

Every year, over 500 child care providers and parents attend CCRR training opportunities.

Every year, RCRG completes over 3,000 grocery orders for local seniors.

Nearly 300 seniors make use of our Better at Home services.

Our volunteer drivers complete more than 1,200 trips annually.

At least 350 people per year find a volunteer position using our Volunteer Match program.

Close to 500 volunteers support RCRG’s programs and services.

Volunteers contribute nearly 23,000 hours to our organization each year.

Each holiday season, the Richmond Christmas Fund helps more than 2,200 low-income residents.

Every year, the Christmas Fund provides over 600 children with toys, books, and sports equipment.

The Richmond Christmas Fund was first started by Ethel Tibbits, in the 1930s.

The number of Neighbourhood Small Grants we’ve awarded has increased every year since 2014.

Block parties are the most popular type of Neighbourhood Small Grant project.

Every year, the Richmond Women’s Resource Centre serves over 7,300 local women.

The Richmond Women’s Resource Centre currently offers 16 programs and services.

Nearly 60 volunteers support the Richmond Women’s Resource Centre, contributing nearly 2,500 hours per year.

Richmond is home to over 350 registered charities, all of which rely on volunteer support.

There are nearly 13 million volunteers across Canada.

International Volunteer Day is celebrated throughout the world on December 5.

There are 35 volunteer centres in British Columbia.

In 2016, the Foundation awarded 10 grants to non-profit organizations, worth a combined $59,000.

The Foundation manages $6 million in 60 Forever Funds, returning, on average, CPI plus 4%.

Between 2020 and 2022, the Foundation distributed $656,000 in grants, scholarships, charitable disbursements, and Emergency Community Support Funds.

Foundation activities result in the enhancement of our community and residents’ sense of belonging.

ROCA has raised over $21,000 for local charities.

ROCA has performed its Elementary School Concert Series to over 8,000 students.

ROCA provides mentoring and life changing opportunities for aspiring musicians.

The Richmond Arts Coalition was founded in November of 2005.

RAC co-produces the ArtRich exhibition every two years!

RAC highlights Richmond's arts events in a monthly email.

The Richmond Music School is the oldest not-for-profit music school in Richmond.

The Richmond Music School offers affordable music lessons through its diverse programming.

Our students performed 40 hours of music to welcome the Olympic athletes to the 2010 Olympic Games.

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April Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Rebecca!

Published April 01, 2026

The United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed 2026 as the International Year of Volunteers! To celebrate, we're highlighting a different RCRG volunteer each month. We hope that their inspiring stories help to Ignite Volunteerism in our community and encourage you to start your own volunteer journey.

Rebecca Swaim has been a dedicated member of RCRG for eight years and currently serves as Chair of our Board of Directors. Her passion for volunteering began at a young age, through church, camps, and children’s programs. These experiences allowed her to engage with different stages of life in meaningful ways and helped shape her strong sense of community and service.

In 2018, Rebecca joined RCRG’s Board of Directors, eventually becoming Vice Chair and then, this past year, Chair. In the position, she works closely with our Executive Director and contributes to strategic planning, helping to set the organization’s vision for the future.

As a Board member, Rebecca focuses on supporting and encouraging RCRG’s programs and events, raising awareness about the organization’s work, and ensuring it continues to grow while staying true to its mission. Through her leadership, she has gained a deeper understanding of how connected RCRG is within the community and is excited to help guide the organization into its next chapter.

Rebecca has also been involved with the Neighbourhood Small Grants (NSG) program. Around the same time she joined the Board, in 2018, she took on the role of Co-Project Leader for an NSG initiative. It was a memorable experience, as she saw firsthand how a small grant and a simple idea could create meaningful connections within her neighbourhood.

The relationships built through the project became especially valuable during the COVID-19 pandemic, helping neighbours to stay connected during a time of isolation. Rebecca’s journey shows that volunteering takes many forms. While serving on a Board or leading a community project may not be the first thing people think of, both are meaningful and impactful ways to give back.

Building on these experiences, Rebecca continues to engage with the community through RCRG’s programs. One of her favourite times of year is the Richmond Christmas Fund campaign. She enjoys seeing how different sectors of the community come together to support those in need, highlighting the power of collaboration and collective care.

Rebecca’s passion for volunteering is deeply rooted in the values she learned growing up. Inspired by her parents, she believes that whatever gifts, abilities, or resources she has been blessed with are meant to be shared. She finds joy in giving and in seeing how even small acts can create ripple effects that uplift others - something she considers one of the most rewarding aspects of volunteering.

Volunteering has also opened doors for Rebecca to connect with people and communities she may not otherwise have encountered. It has strengthened her empathy and reinforced her belief that we are all connected. She encourages anyone considering volunteering to take that first step: “Do it! What do you have to lose? You have so much to gain. It can feel intimidating to try something new, but through volunteering, you’re never alone.”

Her story is a reminder that there are countless ways to get involved - and each one helps build a stronger, more connected community.