What We Learned About Values, Risk, and Doing Good at Giving Together

On Tuesday, October 20, over 70 SVP Partners, donors, and family leaders gathered at Terminal City Club for Giving Together: Values-Driven Philanthropy, co-hosted with the Private Giving Foundation, a donor-advised fund available through TD Wealth. Surrounded by fantastic slider-themed bites and a vibrant atmosphere, our community leaned into conversations about what it truly means to align family values across generations for meaningful, lasting social impact.

Expertly moderated by Carmen S. Thériault, KC, TEP (Retired Leader of Wealth and Private Client Practice at Norton Rose Fulbright Canada), the evening featured personal insights from our panelists:

• Paul & Nicole Geyer: Distinguished Partners & Former Board Chairs, SVP Vancouver
• Leigh Sauder: Business Owner & Board Director of Sauder Industries
• Jo-Anne Ryan: Vice President, Philanthropic Advisory Services, TD Wealth & Executive Director, Private Giving Foundation, a Donor Advised Fund at TD Wealth

We covered a lot of ground from sharing volunteerism and philanthropy with the whole family, exploring values across generations, doing philanthropy well (and not so well), and why SVP is a powerful catalyst for sustainable impact and making a difference. Here are five key themes from the evening: 

“How to Help Without Harm” Starts with Deep Listening

One of the most resonant discussions addressed a hurdle many donors navigate: the fear of giving in ways that inadvertently cause harm, or imposing external biases onto the communities we aim to support.

Panelist Leigh Sauder referenced Howard Buffett’s book 40 Chances, reminding us that the best intentions can lead to unintended consequences when we step into communities as “fixers.” The consensus from the panel was clear: Go to those in need to learn what they need. In other words: listen.

Doing good philanthropic work takes time. It requires active listening, trust building, and ensuring solutions are deeply rooted in the communities they serve, after all, those communities are the experts on their experience. SVP serves as a trusted mechanism to meet these exact goals. We curate relationships, perform due diligence, and provide unrestricted support that empowers community-led solutions.

Rethinking Risk

Paul and Nicole Geyer brought forward an essential point regarding how philanthropy views risk:

“Traditional philanthropy often fears risk because it’s terrified of misusing donor funds or investing in the ‘wrong’ thing. But in avoiding operational risk, we sacrifice the very thing non-profits need most: investment in their internal capacity. When we deny organizations funding for leadership development, technology, and staffing capacity, we severely restrict the scale of impact they can achieve.”

— Paul Geyer

Risk-taking is celebrated in the private sector as the cost of innovation, yet condemned in the non-profit world. Leigh Sauder noted that “it’s hard to do big well,” and the deciding factor in scaling impact sustainably is always the leader’s ability to understand the cause, build strong teams, and advocate for those they serve.

“Giving Together highlighted the very core of why SVP Vancouver exists. Real philanthropic impact is about listening, building deep trust, and having the courage to fund the operational infrastructure that non-profit leaders actually need. When we invest in leadership and trust organizations to innovate, we move from simple generosity to true, systemic transformation. Strong leaders make strong organizations, strong organizations make strong programs and services, and all of that strength means better outcomes for children and youth across the province.”

— Helen Stortini, CEO, SVP Vancouver

Prevention Over Band-aids

The panel also discussed funding immediate crisis response versus investing in upstream, systemic change. While meeting urgent basic needs is essential, investing in prevention and early intervention yields exponential returns, meaning that it’s not just better for the children and families in need, but for our social safety net infrastructure over all. 

By funding organizational capacity and early-stage interventions, SVP Partners ensure grassroots non-profits can work to address the root causes of inequity rather than perpetually treating the symptoms.

Navigating Generational Values & Family Legacy

The evening offered lighthearted moments around family dynamics, with attendees discussing values-based planning, including holding intentional values exercises to discover where family members align and where they differ across generations.

From showing children a broader worldview to encouraging hands-on volunteerism, panel members emphasized that giving is an active, ongoing dialogue, and one that should be done from a place of humility. As Leigh Sauder put it: “I think the single mother giving $100 should be celebrated 20x over the person who gives $10M and doesn’t even feel it.”

The Community in the Room

Beyond the panel, the energy during the reception was connective. From conversations about board stewardship to inquiries from attendees eager to roll up their sleeves and provide expertise, the evening reinforced why our engaged community is so unique.

When we combine unrestricted funding, professional expertise, and a commitment to deep listening, we build resilient non-profits that transform the lives of B.C.’s children, youth, and families.

Thank You

Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to Carmen S. Thériault, KC for brilliantly moderating, digging into key topics and keeping the conversation lively and insightful. Also a huge thanks to our distinguished panelists Nicole Geyer, Paul Geyer, Leigh Sauder, and Jo-Anne Ryan, and finally, to our co-hosts at the Private Giving Foundation, and the entire SVP Vancouver staff who brought this evening to life.

Turning Intention into Action

As we enter peak giving season, the conversations sparked at Giving Together are a reminder that how we give matters just as much as what we give. Moving from philanthropic intention to real-world impact requires trusted, empowered nonprofits, shared learning, and a community willing to step into the trenches alongside nonprofit leaders.

Whether you’re navigating year-end planning, exploring Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) allocations, or looking to lend your professional expertise to high-impact organizations, SVP Vancouver provides the ecosystem to make your community investment go further.

Ready to deepen your impact?

• Get Engaged: Learn how you can join our network of Partners and lend your time, capital, or professional expertise to B.C. non-profits. You can also increase your current contributions. 
• Continue the Conversation: Reach out to Janelle Zwarych to explore how SVP can support your family’s philanthropic journey.