Rotary Club of Vancouver

What Rotary Club of Vancouver does

The Rotary Club of Vancouver is a nonprofit community service organization chartered on April 22, 1913, making it the first Rotary club in British Columbia and the second in Canada. The club operates with over 100 members drawn from business owners, academics, executives, public servants, educators, and health workers, making it the second-largest Rotary club in BC. Members meet weekly on Tuesdays at 12pm at Terminal City Club in downtown Vancouver, with prospective members attending as guests ($57 per meeting) before being proposed and sponsored by existing members through a formal application process. The club operates under Rotary International's global umbrella (District 5040) while maintaining autonomous governance through its own board and elected presidents.

The organization's revenue model combines recurring quarterly membership dues and meal costs, donations through two wholly-owned foundations (the Vancouver Rotary Club Foundation, established 1950, with $3.3M in assets; and the Rotary Hearing Foundation, established 1982, with $3.6M raised), annual fundraising events (Rotary Ride for Hearing, Bike-a-Thon, Hoop-a-Thon, Red Carpet Ball), and investment income from foundation capital. Differentiated membership tiers include Regular, Corporate, Couple/Family, Young Leader (Under 40), and Senior (Over 65) categories. Technology infrastructure is limited to ClubRunner, an off-the-shelf membership management platform handling website, database, email communications, and event registration.

The club delivers impact through 25+ annual service projects spanning local and international initiatives. Major programs include Rotary World Help (480+ containers of medical supplies shipped to 61 countries benefiting 15.5M+ people), hearing-loss research and treatment (770+ cochlear implant surgeries funded, $6M commitment to BC Rotary Hearing and Balance Centre), youth programs (Interact, Rotaract, Youth Exchange, RYLA, Stay in School Scholarships totaling $300K+), and direct community service (Food on the Corner in the Downtown Eastside). Strategic partners include St. Paul's Hospital, UBC, BC Children's Hospital, Odd Squad Foundation, and CIDA. Leadership transitioned from President Joan Posivy to President-elect Navid Morawej for the 2026-27 Rotary year under the motto 'Create Lasting Impact'.

Name

Rotary Club of Vancouver

Legal name

Rotary Club of Vancouver

Website

https://rotaryvancouver.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1913

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Rotary Club of Vancouver is a 100+ member nonprofit service organization chartered in 1913 (first in BC, second in Canada) that combines professional networking with philanthropy through two foundations and programs in hearing health, youth education, and international aid.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Service Membership Organization

NAICS

Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Student Clubs & Organizations (General Interest, Cultural, Service) (EDAJAJAG), Volunteer Program Funding, Scholarships & Fundraising Support (EDAIAGAO), History & Civics Competitions (History Bowl, Bee, National History Day) (EDAMAGAH)

Keywords

• Community service club
• Professional networking
• Charitable foundation
• Volunteer programs
• Youth leadership

Headquarters

HQ city

Vancouver

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Membership fees including club dues and meal costs paid per quarter
2. Foundation Donations: Donations to the Vancouver Rotary Club Foundation (over $3.3M in assets) distributed to charitable projects locally and internationally
3. Event Fundraising: Annual fundraising events including Rotary Ride for Hearing (raised over $3.8M), Bike-a-Thon, Hoop-a-Thon, and Red Carpet Ball
4. Investment Income: Interest income, capital gains and dividends from foundation capital fund investments

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Rotary Club of Vancouver is a non-profit membership-based service organization that provides weekly fellowship and networking meetings for business and professional leaders, and operates community service, youth, and international humanitarian programs. It runs two charitable foundations—the Vancouver Rotary Club Foundation and the Rotary Hearing Foundation—funding local and international service projects including hearing loss research, scholarships, and humanitarian aid. Revenue comes from quarterly membership dues, donations, and annual fundraising events.

Product overview

The Rotary Club of Vancouver is a nonprofit service club (chartered 1913) offering community service and charitable programs rather than a traditional product platform. Its core offerings include two major foundations: the Rotary Hearing Foundation (focused on hearing loss research and care, having funded over 770 cochlear implant surgeries and committing $6 million to the BC Rotary Hearing and Balance Centre) and the Vancouver Rotary Club Foundation (supporting local and international projects with $3.3M+ in assets). Major programs include the annual Rotary Ride for Hearing (over $3.8M raised since 1985), Food on the Corner community service, and youth programs including Youth Exchange, Interact Clubs, Rotaract Clubs, RYLA, and Stay in School Scholarships. The club also operates Rotary World Help, which has shipped over 480 containers of medical supplies to 61 countries. Membership-based fellowship activities include an Investment Club and business networking events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• RCoV Foundation: Charitable foundation supporting local and international community service projects including water, literacy, community facilities, and disaster relief.
• Rotary Hearing Foundation

Products and services

• Club Membership
• Guest Meeting Attendance
• Rotary Ride for Hearing
• Rotary Hearing Foundation
• Vancouver Rotary Club Foundation
• Food on the Corner
• Stay in School Scholarships
• Rotary Youth Exchange
• Interact Clubs
• Rotaract Clubs
• Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA)
• Rotary World Help
• Investment Club

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 770 Cochlear Implant surgeries funded
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Odd Squad FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partnership started in 2021 to support youth at risk in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver. Odd Squad Productions delivers prevention programs for youth using reality-based educational programs, documentary films, and workshops.
• Rotary World Help Network (RWHN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStarted by the Rotary Club of Vancouver, RWHN coordinates shipment of used and donated educational, humanitarian and medical supplies to countries in need. Has sent over 480 containers to 61 countries benefiting 15.5+ million people. Now operated by a board of directors from 40+ clubs and two districts in British Columbia.
• Rotary InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of Rotary International with over 35,000 clubs worldwide and 1.2+ million members. Club is in District 5040 covering clubs from Winnipeg to the coast. Participates in global initiatives including Polio eradication.
• Rotary District 5040coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional district organization that includes clubs from Winnipeg to the west coast. The club has won multiple district awards including Rotarian of the Year and Club of the Year.
• St. Paul's HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRotary Hearing Clinic at St. Paul's Hospital established through Hearing Foundation support. BC Rotary Hearing and Balance Centre ($6M commitment) being developed at this facility. Over 770 Cochlear Implant surgeries performed.
• University of British Columbia (UBC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRotary Hearing Centre at UBC established in 1989. $132,700 donated to establish UBC Clinical Speech Technology and Audiology Teaching Lab in 2012. Over $1M donated to hearing-related research. Support for International House on campus.
• BC Children's HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHearing and Speech Centre support through grants and fundraising for hearing initiatives for children.
• Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation with CIDA to increase the value of international aid by a factor of three through matching programs and international development projects.
• Sir Winston Churchill Interact ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClub sponsors high school-based Interact club for youth aged 12-18 to develop leadership skills through Service Above Self.
• Rotaract Club of Vancouver UBCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClub sponsors university-based Rotaract club connecting young adults aged 18+ through Rotary's spirit of service.
• Vancouver Young Professionals RotaractminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClub sponsors Rotaract club for young professionals providing leadership and professional experience while making a difference in communities.
• BC Family Hearing Resource CentreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of the institutions receiving grants from the Hearing Foundation to provide comprehensive hearing care and support.
• Salvation Army Camp SunriseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHopkins Landing camp receiving grants ($10,000 initial and $30,000 Golden Anniversary project) for camp improvements and property expansion.
• Camp ByngminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoy Scout Camp at Roberts Creek on the Sunshine Coast that received $37,000 for buildings and equipment.
• Seattle Rotary Club (Sponsor Club)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Seattle Rotary Club helped establish the Vancouver club in 1913, making it the second club in Canada. Seattle delegation led by Ernst Skeel attended the founding banquet.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Rotary International: The global umbrella organization for all Rotary clubs, including the Vancouver club itself. Comparable as the parent network of service clubs offering fellowship, community service, and international humanitarian projects with a similar membership-dues-plus-donations revenue model.
• United Way: Major community-focused nonprofit that aggregates donations and distributes to local service organizations. Comparable in fundraising for community causes, though operates on a broader donation-based model without the membership-club structure.
• Chamber of Commerce (Greater Vancouver Board of Trade): Regional business membership organization offering professional networking and community advocacy. Comparable in targeting business owners and executives, though focused more on policy advocacy than service philanthropy.

Direct peers

• Kiwanis International: Parallel global service club organization focused on community service and youth leadership. Comparable business model (membership dues + fundraising) and similar target membership of business and professional leaders seeking fellowship and service opportunities.
• Rotary Club of Toronto: Another large, established Canadian Rotary club with similar business networking, fellowship, and community service offerings. Directly comparable in membership structure, weekly meeting cadence, and foundation-driven charitable work.
• Rotary Club of Seattle: The sponsor club that chartered the Vancouver club in 1913. Direct peer with comparable metropolitan focus, weekly meeting format, professional membership base, and significant foundation assets for community service projects.
• Lions Clubs International: Largest global service club organization with parallel structure of local chapters, weekly meetings, membership dues, and community fundraising for causes including health (vision), youth, and disaster relief. Directly comparable operating and fundraising model.
• Rotary Club of Calgary: Another major Canadian Rotary club with similar metropolitan service footprint, professional networking focus, and foundation-driven charitable giving. Directly comparable in scale, structure, and program mix.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/VancRotary
• Instagraminstagram.com/rotaryvancouver
• Xx.com/rotaryvancouver

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rotary Club of Vancouver