From Idea to Impact: How SVP Helped BabyGoRound Scale with Confidence

Last week marked the opening of BabyGoRound’s new Cloverdale location, a critical and much-needed expansion made possible through an Early Years Innovation Fund grant from SVP Vancouver. Since their initial partnership with us in 2019, BabyGoRound has seen an 185% increase in the number of families they support through in-person appointments, helping 2,000 families in 2024.

See media coverage of BabyGoRound’s ribbon cutting ceremony here:

(Look closely for some familiar faces and a shout out to SVP Vancouver in the Peace Arch News!) 

BabyGoRound brings critical support to under-resourced families by providing essential baby gear, helping families to safely care for their babies and toddlers, and ensuring that families are equipped and empowered to thrive. 

Part of the SVP community since 2019

BabyGoRound was first supported by SVP Vancouver in 2019 with a three-year capacity-building grant, primarily to fund a full-time Executive Director. With our capacity-building programming, we helped them with stabilization, strategic planning, governance, and a crucial pivot to an online model during the pandemic. 

In 2019, BabyGoRound was supporting 850 families, through in-person appointments or with agency bundles, by providing them with the essential gear, such as cribs and strollers, families may not have had access to otherwise. The fair market value of the goods they distributed was $370k. 

Since their initial partnership with us, BabyGoRound knew they needed to scale to keep up with rising demand for their services, particularly for families east of the Port Mann Bridge. But they weren’t sure of the right model to pursue. At the end of 2023, SVP Vancouver stepped in again, encouraging them to apply for an Early Years Innovation Fund grant to explore the best possible path to scale, all while documenting the process to potentially help other communities follow in their footsteps.   

New location in the Fraser Valley

In just 12 months, BabyGoRound completed a feasibility study to determine between a mobile unit or a brick and mortar store, and on February 20th, 2025, they celebrated the opening of their new store with a ribbon cutting ceremony. SVP Vancouver has been thrilled to help them along the way, offering thought partnership and capacity-building support in real estate, governance, and more.  

“Lead Partner Jonathan Bradley’s guidance has been vital in strengthening BabyGoRound as we expand. His support helped secure the resources and expertise to advance our capacity-building priorities—from board development and financial management to technology and strategic planning. Jon has also been instrumental in helping us evaluate long-term operating model options, ensuring we approach our dual-location future with clarity and strategy. His commitment to our success has positioned us to better serve families now and in the future,” says Meghan Neufeld, BabyGoRound’s Executive Director.

“Additionally, having SVP Partner Wayman Crosby as a thought partner has played a crucial role in helping BabyGoRound navigate the complexities of the commercial real estate market, ensuring informed decision-making at each step. His expertise provided a different lens to the process and made us feel confident in our decision in securing a second location in Cloverdale. This space will enable us to enhance our services and create a better experience for the families we support as we continue to scale,” adds Meghan.

SVP Vancouver CEO Helen Stortini and SVP Partner Wayman Crosby were in attendance for the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony—a community celebration to commemorate the opening of their Fraser Valley location, attended by BGR supporters; members of the media including Global BC, CTV, CityTV, and CBC; Kwantlen Knowledge Keeper Kevin Kelly, MP Tamara Jansen, Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke and Township of Langley Mayor Eric Woodward. Helen was invited to share a few words with the group about SVP’s partnership with BabyGoRound. 

“Their new location doesn’t just feel like a space. It feels like a promise. A promise that more families in the Fraser Valley will be met with dignity, support, and a community that cares. BabyGoRound identified a need, mapped out a plan, and made it happen. SVP Vancouver is honoured to have been an early supporter of this expansion,” says Helen. 

BabyGoRound has seen a staggering increase in the number of families they support, helping nearly 2,000 families in 2024, providing a fair market value of more than $1.4m in critical baby gear.

Since its inception, the Early Years Innovation Fund has supported impactful initiatives in the Lower Mainland and across British Columbia. Congratulations to BabyGoRound on this incredible accomplishment!

Learn more about BabyGoRound.