Role of Warm Hearts Charitable Foundation in the funding ecosystem
Warm Hearts Charitable Foundation is an employee-run charitable organization created within the FortisBC community investment framework. It exists to channel the generosity of FortisBC employees toward registered charities and community organizations located in the company’s service areas. Since its inception in 1994, employees participating in Warm Hearts have collectively directed more than $1 million to a wide range of charitable causes, demonstrating a sustained and structured role in local philanthropy.
The foundation focuses broadly on initiatives that enhance the health and well-being of communities that are important to FortisBC employees. Rather than operating a single public call for proposals, Warm Hearts serves as an internal vehicle through which employees can pool donations that are then distributed to qualified charitable organizations. Its activities complement FortisBC’s wider community investment efforts, including donation matching and support for organizations such as the United Way.
Supported audiences and overall impact
Warm Hearts funds projects and services delivered by registered non-profit and charitable organizations working across FortisBC’s service territories in British Columbia. The foundation’s impact is measured both in the volume of donations directed to community organizations and in the breadth of local causes supported, from social services to community wellness initiatives. Managed by employee volunteers, the foundation helps embed philanthropy into the company’s culture and ensures that employee contributions are organized and channeled effectively to frontline charities.
Governance and volunteer involvement
Warm Hearts was founded and continues to be managed by employee volunteers. This volunteer-led governance model ensures that decisions about supported causes reflect the priorities of FortisBC staff and maintain close ties with local communities. While FortisBC provides the broader corporate context and promotes employee giving, Warm Hearts functions as the dedicated charitable entity that receives and redistributes these contributions to eligible organizations.