Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Aunt Leah’s Foundation

Aunt Leah’s Foundation, now operating under the name Aunt Leah’s Properties, is a not-for-profit charitable foundation based in British Columbia. Its primary role is to prevent youth from foster care from becoming homeless and to help vulnerable young mothers keep custody of their children by ensuring access to safe, secure and affordable housing. The Foundation owns, develops and manages a growing portfolio of housing assets, including houses, suites, laneway homes and multi-unit projects in Metro Vancouver.

According to its audited financial statements, the Foundation solicits funds, gifts and property in order to provide low-cost housing for those in need and to support other registered charities and qualified donees with similar principles. It therefore acts both as a social-housing asset holder and as a potential financial supporter of aligned organizations, operating within a fund accounting structure that includes a General Fund, Housing Fund, Capital Asset Fund and Replacement Reserve Fund.

The organization collaborates closely with Aunt Leah’s Society, leasing most of its properties back to the Society so that comprehensive housing programs, supports and wrap-around services can be delivered to youth and young mothers transitioning out of foster care. The Foundation’s housing activities are supported by a mix of donations, bequests, government grants, forgivable loans from BC Housing, and project-specific contributions from partners such as Lu’ma Native BCH Housing Society.

Its portfolio includes properties on Boundary Road, Boyne Street, Royal Avenue, 8th Avenue, Pender Street and a major development project on Marine Way. New builds such as laneway houses and a planned six-storey affordable housing project are designed to add dozens of dedicated units for youth leaving care and young families. Through these initiatives, the Foundation effectively channels capital into long-term, deeply affordable homes instead of short-term subsidies alone.

Beyond operating its own housing projects, Aunt Leah’s Foundation explicitly states that it supports other registered charities and qualified donees sharing its principles. This support can take the form of financial contributions, shared housing initiatives or collaborative projects that expand the supply of affordable units for vulnerable populations. Funding commitments from partners like BC Housing and community foundations also demonstrate the Foundation’s position as a trusted intermediary within the social-housing and child-welfare sectors.

The Foundation is incorporated under the Society Act of British Columbia (now Societies Act) and is a registered Canadian charity, exempt from income tax under the Income Tax Act. It follows Canadian accounting standards for not-for-profit organizations and publishes independently audited financial statements each year. These statements describe its restricted funds, capital structure, forgivable loan agreements, demand loans, mortgages and reserve policies, demonstrating a strong commitment to transparency and prudent stewardship of housing assets and grant funds.

Aunt Leah’s Foundation works with federal and provincial departments, BC Housing, municipalities, Indigenous and community housing partners, and philanthropic foundations to assemble land, financing and operating support for projects. The “Partner With Us” messaging highlights opportunities for project funding, organizational capacity-building and participant support, reflecting a collaborative approach to solving the housing affordability crisis for youth impacted by Canada’s foster care system. Through these partnerships and its owned portfolio, the Foundation significantly increases the long-term availability of stable, affordable homes for young people and young mothers transitioning to independent living.