Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Vancouver School of Theology Foundation (VSTF)

The Vancouver School of Theology Foundation (VSTF) is an independent, incorporated society created by the Board of Governors of the Vancouver School of Theology in 2014 to provide long‑term financial support for theological education. Registered as a charity under Canadian law, the Foundation receives bequests, donations, gifts, funds and property, and invests these assets in order to generate a stable and growing stream of funding for the School.

VSTF’s core mandate is to advance and promote the purposes and activities of the Vancouver School of Theology. It does this by prudently managing assets held on behalf of VST and by following a formal spending (granting) policy based on total investment income. The Foundation’s investment policy targets preservation of capital in perpetuity while providing predictable annual transfers to VST to support operations, academic programs, strategic initiatives, and faculty positions such as endowed chairs.

The Foundation oversees several internal and external funds, including trust funds, specified long‑term investment funds, general funds created from property development proceeds, and named endowments such as the Butler Endowment or United Church Fund. Income from these portfolios is used to underwrite core institutional needs and, where appropriate, extraordinary grants to the School.

While VSTF’s direct grantee is the Vancouver School of Theology, its funding ultimately benefits students, faculty, and the wider church community. Through VST’s own financial aid structures, investment income supports bursaries, scholarships, clergy continuing education grants and short‑term housing bursaries. It also contributes to maintaining a robust faculty complement, innovative programs and affordable tuition for domestic and international students preparing for Christian leadership.

The Foundation follows the Prudent Investor Rule and the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the CFA Institute, delegating day‑to‑day portfolio management to professional managers under clear guidelines. Asset allocation emphasizes a balanced portfolio with a significant long‑term equity component, complemented by fixed income, money market instruments and, where approved, private infrastructure.

VSTF’s spending policy, aligned with standards of the Association of Theological Schools, limits annual distributions to a percentage (not greater than 5%) of the three‑year average market value of the funds. The Board aims to transfer roughly 4% annually from major funds to VST in quarterly installments, while reinvesting sufficient income to maintain purchasing power after inflation.

VSTF is governed by a Board of Directors, many of whom also serve within the broader VST community. Formal bylaws, a filed constitution and a detailed investment policy regulate membership, board powers, financial reporting, audit requirements and conflict‑of‑interest rules. The Foundation explicitly values prudence, responsibility and transparency, committing both to responsible investment practices and to appropriate disclosure to VST’s board and the wider community.

Through this governance and funding framework, the Vancouver School of Theology Foundation plays a central role in ensuring the long‑term financial sustainability of theological education at VST, while enabling the School to offer generous financial aid and programmatic innovation.