About Our Foundation

Serving Oak Bay and Greater Victoria beyond emergency response since 2012.

The Oak Bay Firefighters Charitable Foundation (OBFCF) is a registered Canadian charity operated exclusively by the dedicated career firefighters of the Oak Bay Fire Department.

While our members are on call 24 hours a day to protect life, property, and the environment during emergencies, our commitment to our neighbours does not end when the siren turns off. Through the Foundation, our off-duty firefighters donate their time, energy, and resources to build a healthier, safer, and more resilient community.

Established in 2012, our organization has grown from local grassroots community drives into a major philanthropic partner for regional healthcare facilities, youth academic programs, and family support initiatives across Southern Vancouver Island.

2012

Year Established

100%

Volunteer Run (0% Overhead)

$500k+

Healthcare & Community Pledges

Our 100% Volunteer Commitment

Every dollar you give goes straight to community impact.

๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ Zero Administrative Overhead

Our foundation has no paid administrative staff or expensive office leases. All board duties, accounting coordination, event planning, and fundraising efforts are conducted voluntarily by our firefighters.

๐Ÿ›๏ธ Full CRA Charitable Transparency

As a registered charity with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA Charity # 850474487RR0001), we maintain strict financial accountability, audited governance, and transparent annual filings.

๐Ÿงพ Tax-Deductible Receipts

Official tax receipts are issued for all eligible public donations through our secure partner CanadaHelps or issued directly for cheques received at the fire station.

Our Three Pillars of Community Service

Targeted funding where our community needs it most.

๐Ÿฅ 1. Pediatric & Critical Healthcare

Partnering with the Victoria Hospitals Foundation to support the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Victoria General Hospital, as well as contributing annually to the BC Professional Fire Fighters' Burn Fund and Burn Camp for young survivors.

๐ŸŽ“ 2. Youth Education & Athletics

Investing in the future of local youth through annual Oak Bay High School bursaries for graduating students, funding educational facilities, and providing community athletic infrastructure like the high school gymnasium scoreboard.

๐Ÿค 3. Family Relief & Community Spaces

Providing hands-on volunteer delivery and financial aid for CFAX Santas Anonymous holiday hampers, as well as investing in family-friendly community spaces such as the Oak Bay Firefighters Park playground.

Governance & Operations

Led by the members of the Oak Bay Fire Department.

The Oak Bay Firefighters Charitable Foundation is governed by an elected Board of Directors consisting of active professional firefighters from Oak Bay. The Board meets regularly to review community funding requests, oversee endowment allocations, coordinate seasonal volunteer campaigns, and ensure compliance with provincial and federal charitable guidelines.

If you represent a registered community non-profit or educational program serving Oak Bay or Greater Victoria and wish to submit a funding proposal, please get in touch through our Contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about supporting the Foundation.

How are donations used?

100% of public donations directly fund our charitable projects, hospital pledges, and student bursaries. Because our firefighters volunteer all administrative hours, there are zero deductions for overhead.

Will I receive a charitable tax receipt?

Yes. All online donations processed through our CanadaHelps portal instantly generate a CRA-compliant tax receipt. For donations by cheque, receipts are issued directly by the Foundation.

Where is the Foundation located?

Our headquarters are located at the Oak Bay Fire Department, 1703 Monterey Avenue, Victoria, BC V8R 5V6.

How can our school or charity apply for support?

We welcome inquiries and grant requests from local non-profit groups, schools, and healthcare partners. Please email us at oakbayfirefighterscharitable@gmail.com.