BC, Canada
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Eligible Industries
- Health care and social assistance
Types of eligible projects
BC, Canada
Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Rix Family Foundation
A British Columbia family foundation established in 1977 that provides grants to support women, children, animals, health research, and education. The foundation funds BC-based charities and projects, with a focus on creating measurable impact through partnerships with organizations demonstrating high standards and accountability. View Rix Family Foundation's website for more information.
Featured grants at a glance
1 programs available
About Rix Family Foundation
What is the mission of Rix Family Foundation?
The Rix Family Foundation works to make a difference in the lives of people and animals by supporting BC charities focused on women, children, animals, health research, and education, with a commitment to high standards, accountability, and creating lasting impact through partnerships.
What type of organization is Rix Family Foundation?
Rix Family Foundation is a Foundation.
When was Rix Family Foundation founded?
Rix Family Foundation was founded in 1977.
What is Rix Family Foundation's official website?
Rix Family Foundation's official website is https://rixfamilyfoundation.ca/.
What else should I know about Rix Family Foundation?
Role of the Rix Family Foundation in the Funding Ecosystem
The Rix Family Foundation is a prominent philanthropic organization in British Columbia that has been supporting charitable causes since 1977. Founded by Dr. Donald Rix and his wife Eleanor Rix, the foundation focuses its funding on five key areas: women, children, animals, health research, and education. The foundation operates as a discretionary grantmaker, providing financial support to qualified BC-based charities through an annual competitive application process.
General Evaluation Criteria for Funding Requests
All funding applicants must demonstrate alignment with the foundation's focus areas and be either based in BC or support people and animals in BC. Organizations must provide annual reports or written status reports, submit financial statements for review, and agree to ongoing accountability including impact measures and performance reports. The foundation expects recipients to develop partnerships, obtain additional funding sources, and create public awareness of their achievements.
Transparency, Governance, and Accountability
The foundation maintains high standards for its recipients, requiring detailed financial documentation and regular progress reports. All funded organizations must be agreeable to reporting their performance and outcomes on a regular basis. The foundation also expects recipients to maximize the impact of donations by promoting their projects and finding further partners.
History and Evolution of the Organization
Established in 1977, the Rix Family Foundation grew from modest beginnings to become a major donor to BC Cancer Foundation and BC Children's Hospital. The foundation has made landmark contributions, including a $5 million gift to BC Cancer Foundation for women's breast cancer research—the largest such gift in provincial history. After Dr. Rix's passing in 2009, his daughter Laurie Rix assumed leadership, expanding the foundation's focus to include health education, research, women, children, and animals.
Supported Audiences and Overall Impact
The foundation supports organizations serving women, children, animals, and health research across British Columbia. Major recipients have included BC Cancer Foundation, BC Children's Hospital, Greater Vancouver Food Bank, SPCA, YWCA Crabtree Corner, CKNW Kids Fund, North Shore Rescue, and Zajac Ranch for Children. The foundation has also expanded internationally through partnerships like the Two Worlds Cancer Collaboration in India and Asia.