Victoria, BC (July 29, 2024) – NHL star Tyson Barrie has teamed up with venture philanthropy foundation, Power to Give, and is returning to his hometown, Victoria, on August 3to host Tyson Barrie and Friends. This intimate benefit concert hosted on a private oceanfront estate in the Saanich neighbourhood, will feature legendary artists Wesley Schultz, Dallas Green, Nathaniel Rateliff and special guest Sarah McLachlan.  In addition, top local chefs, breweries and mixologists will offer up exclusive gastronomic delights.

The evening is poised to raise $400,000 to support local children’s sports-focused programs.

“This night bridges two areas that I’m deeply passionate about – music, and helping children and youth discover a love of sport,” said Tyson Barrie, star Canadian NHL defenseman. “We will be supporting five local charities who are all dedicated to helping children and youth discover their inner strength, confidence and resilience, through the power of playing sports.”

The local organizations benefiting from this one-of-a-kind concert include: First Tee British Columbia, KidsSport – Greater Victoria, Sport for Life, Victoria City Police Athletic Association (VCPAA), and Washington Kids Foundation – Victoria, BC.

To start off the evening, Schultz, Green and Rateliff will each play acoustic solo sets, and they will close out the concert by performing together for the first time ever.  Schultz is the lead vocalist and guitarist for the Grammy-nominated folk rock band, The Lumineers, and is also known for being one of the composers of the Hunger Games song “The Hanging Tree”.  Three-time JUNO Award-winning singer-songwriter and record producer, Green also known as City and Colour, has played to stadium crowds with Rateliff and his backup band, The Night Sweats.  Rateliff was also dubbed by the New York Times as a local folk-pop hero. Guest Sarah McLachlan will perform a special set and join Schultz, Green and Rateliff for the finale.

“This is truly a rare, personal musical experience, where people can come together to do some good for local kids and enjoy an incredible evening with extraordinarily talented musicians,” noted Tim Cormode, CEO, Power to Give. “Top chefs and mixologists provide the all-inclusive culinary experience so guests can simply take in the breathtaking ocean view and enjoy all that this special night has to offer.”

Only 225 Tyson Barrie and Friends tickets are available at $2,500 per person, and every ticket holder will receive a charitable tax receipt for $2,000. Tickets can be purchased online at: https://can.givergy.com/tysonbarrieandfriends.  The location of the private estate, generously donated by friends of Power to Give, will be shared with ticket holders prior to the concert date.

The evening’s programming will begin at 6 p.m. and run through to 11 p.m. Prior to the musical performances, guests will be able to wander through the estate’s spectacular oceanside lawn and manicured gardens while sampling unique cocktails and an irresistible array of treats designed to tease the tastebuds.

The evening’s culinary maestros will include:

• Celebrity chef Errin Massolin and champion of regional cuisine from Western Canada, Matthew Batey from Teatro Group, based in Calgary
• Alessandro Vianello from Vianello Hospitality in Vancouver who honed his culinary skills all over the world and is revered for his Italian heritage-inspired food mastered in Tuscany
• Matias Sallaberry of South Fire by Zambri’s in Victoria, who has worked in several Michelin-starred restaurants, and is known for his South American cuisine and cooking with fire
• JP Green, of Truffles Catering in Victoria, who perfected his craft in his grandfather’s bakery in a small village in France. Green is also a strong advocate for sustainable food practices
• Jess “The Mullusk Man” Taylor, of Shuck Taylor’s, known as Victoria’s premier destination for the finest oysters, crab, wild shrimp and lobster
• Jayce Kadyshuck, of Marilena Café and Raw Bar, a leading mixologist who was described as the base camp of Victoria’s cocktail culture. He is well known for his off-the-cuff cocktails, and will undoubtedly be serving up some magical concoctions at this benefit concert

This is the second time that Tyson Barrie and Power to Give have partnered to give back.  In 2022, they hosted a similar intimate, acoustic charity concert on the island, which raised $750,000 for five local charities supporting youth mental health.

“Our heartfelt gratitude goes to Tyson, Wesley, Dallas, Nathaniel, Sarah and to all of the incredibly talented chefs and mixologists who are contributing their valuable time and talents to bringing this special magic back to Victoria,” said Cormode. “I would also like to thank all of our esteemed guests in advance – their generosity will be making a difference for children and youth at a foundational level for decades to come.”

About Power to Give: Established in 2016, Power to Give is a boutique venture philanthropy foundation that invests funds into social purpose organizations. Today, it is one of the most active grassroots foundations in Canada.  Power to Give is dedicated to amplifying impact through a refreshed philanthropic approach, one that brings together impact investors and social purpose leaders, and focuses on convening, curating, and connecting inspirational ideas that can change the world.  For more information, please visit: www.powertogive.ca.

– 30 –

Media requiring further information or interviews, please contact:

Martine Levy
Martine.levy@ederyandlord.com 

Partner
Edery & Lord Communications

FACT SHEET

Charities Receiving Funds from the Tyson Barrie and Friends Benefit Concert

On August 3 at a private oceanfront estate in Victoria’s Saanich neighbourhood, NHL star, Tyson Barrie and venture philanthropy foundation, Power to Give are hosting, Tyler Barrie and Friends – a powerful, intimate concert featuring legendary artists Wesley Schultz, Dallas Green, and Nathaniel Rateliff and special guest Sarah McLachlan.

Tickets are available online now for $2,500 each (with a charitable tax receipt for $2,000). All net proceeds will be donated to five local charities supporting children and youth sports programs. This unique benefit concert is aiming to raise $400,000.

The five organizations that will receive funding from this concert are:

1. First Tee British Columbia – This not-for-profit builds game changers by empowering kids and teens through the game of golf. Its youth program has been developed by Golf Canada. Through in-school and after school programs, First Tee reinforces values like integrity, respect, and perseverance and focuses on character development.

• KidsSport, Greater Victoria – This organization envisions a country where all children can participate in sport, where costs are no longer a barrier – because no child should be excluded and relegated to watching from the sidelines. KidSport provides grants to help cover registration fees so kids aged 18 and younger, can play a full season of sport, helping them build a sense of belonging and confidence, while unleashing their potential.

• Sport for Life – Sport for Life thinks globally and acts locally, delivering quality sport and physical literacy programming within communities. Sport for Life is a knowledge-based organization that works with governments, institutions, schools and sports organizations to improve programs and services that can benefit everyone, not just high achievers in sports.

• Victoria City Police Athletic Association (VCPAA) – This non-profit society supports events in the community to foster positive relationships between police and youth in Greater Victoria and South Island. In addition to officers volunteering hours towards local initiatives, the VCPAA donates funds for annual youth golf and basketball tournaments, and sponsors numerous community athletic teams.

• Washington Kids Foundation | Victoria, BC – This foundation partners with school districts on the island to support youth via tailored programming. Funds raised will benefit programs that promote fitness, training and nutrition, to help youth improve their overall physical and mental well-being, while improving motor skills, flexibility, strength-building, and team participation skills.

Relive that magical summer evening, when the Lumineers (joined by Sarah McLachlan) gifted us with an intimate concert in support of five charities. We are so grateful to Tyson Barrie and his friends, the Lumineers, for making this evening possible.

Hometown NHL legend Tyson Barrie brought the idea of a charity concert to Power To Give and what an incredible event resulted. Supporting five charities focusing on youth mental health, the concert featured top touring band the Lumineers and local band Ocie Elliott. The 325 guests were treated to intimate performances accompanied by incredible food and drink. Celebrity chef Bruce Kalman created a sumptuous menu, and finely crafted cocktails, beer and wine rounded out the selections.

We are so grateful to our generous hosts the Johnston family for opening their home, to the Lumineers and Ocie Elliott, to everyone who made the evening possible and most of all, to all the guests who came out to support youth mental health.

Enjoy these images of the evening.

On July 18, Tyson Barrie gathered 325 friends together for a charity concert and the next day kicked off a tour of remote communities connecting NHL players with local kids.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tyson Barrie (@tysonbarrie4)

The concert, featuring top touring band The Lumineers and local band Ocie Elliott, raised $750,000 for five charities focused on supporting youth mental health:

Foundry

Power To Be

The Erika Legacy Foundation

Washington Kids Foundation

Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island

Power To Give was honoured to provide support for this event. Read more here.

Qqs Project Society’s vision for its community’s new Kunsoot Wellness Centre, a $2-million-plus health and wellness project funded in large part by Power to Give, is now in operation.

The vision for the Kunsoot Wellness Centre is an inclusive, accessible, and safe space for land-based healing and learning. It is purpose-built to promote Heiltsuk wellness. In the face of trauma and crisis, it is a beacon of resilience. Its aim is to draw out the individual and collective strength of our people in an environment of comfort and support – steeped in culture and surrounded by nature. 

Kunsoot Wellness Centre from Qqs Projects on Vimeo.

For the past 24 years, I have had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to be a founder, entrepreneur, and CEO for a charitable organization in the social sector. This awesome adventure has brought forth so many people that I have collaborated with, learned from, and been inspired by. This entrepreneurial journey has taught me resiliency, creativity, gratitude, business acumen, and leadership. As a result, I better understand how best to grow in a sector that has traditionally been rewarded for efficiency, instead of for taking risks and spending little or no money on overhead. Years later, I have now acquired a strong belief that our sector is as much about doing good and achieving impact as it is about pushing our sector to take risks, be innovative, and be more effective.

For years, I have struggled with the word “nonprofit,” as I find it limits our sector to grow and actually address the world’s most pressing problems with real impact. We are a business and as a business we need to be freed up to generate revenue, be more industrious, pay our staff well, and spend funds on overhead without the restrictions that the philanthropy sector can put on the social sector. We all must realize that our sector has evolved further and is ready for a new name to reflect the dramatic social progress it is making. Perhaps we can call it the “social profit sector.”

The Power To Give Foundation was created to address philanthropy as an opportunity, not as a responsibility. Traditional methods of giving are growing less appealing. There is more interest in engaged models of giving back and the pandemic has proven that. People don’t want to just write cheques and hear heartwarming stories. They want to know the real deal: real stories, real challenges, real impact. They want to roll up their sleeves and offer useful skills and make a real difference.

A mentor of mine once said, “people give to people,” and I truly believe how you show up when raising capital makes a difference. People who have the ability to inspire others to give will succeed in raising capital. Whether it is the private or social sector, I believe there is only a small group of people who raise capital well. What if a foundation like Power To Give could remove the burden of raising capital to free up these social entrepreneurs to focus on the impact they intend to achieve? That is exactly what we intend to do.

There has never been a more important or timely opportunity to solve the world’s most pressing social problems. People who were vulnerable before are now even more vulnerable. Social service organizations that existed to help vulnerable people are themselves vulnerable, and many have had to close their doors. We have also seen a degree of innovation and action that is unprecedented. Corporate and foundation funders that were slow and bureaucratic increased and accelerated philanthropic giving to ensure front-line organisations had much-needed support. Corporations started to shift from passive, ineffective corporate social responsibility to viewing social change as an opportunity. Institutional charities struggled to stay afloat while smaller, innovative organizations and social enterprises took action. 

Perhaps most importantly, we have seen organizations in all sectors that have come to realize that “safe” social change just isn’t good enough anymore. Moving forward, solving social problems depends on taking risks in ways that this sector has never done before. If this doesn’t happen, too many people will fall through the cracks and the massive climate change catastrophe predicted by leaders such as Bill Gates will be a certainty.

These are the issues that frame the context for Power To Give to play a leadership role in our social profit sector and secure future investments that will help solve some of Canada’s most pressing problems, starting today. The following list details how we plan to solve these issues.

• We will shift from supporting slow-moving, institutionalized charity approaches to investing in agile agents of change that prioritize impact rather than process.
• Embrace the model of trust-based philanthropy that funding has to be distributed fast — and without a web of restrictions
• Shift decision-making power from the investor to the entrepreneur with the organizations addressing the issue or problem
• Build trust-based relationships and redefine traditional notions of risk
• Acknowledge that no one person has all the answers and that we can’t achieve our goals without listening, collaborating, and co-investing with others. Soliciting and seeking valuable perspectives will help inform our work. 
• Before entering into an investment relationship, ensure the onus of due diligence is on the investor, not the investee
• Simplify and streamline paperwork to be freed up to concentrate on mission and impact
• Be transparent and responsive to help move the work forward. Prioritize innovation by asking new questions: what is the fastest way to make the biggest impact? How will we know that our investment has been successful? What are the opportunities to re-invest in promising solutions to other problems?
• Offer support beyond funding that will help foster healthier and more entrepreneurial organizations by bolstering leadership and capacity 
• Broaden our investments that strengthen our narrative on the journey toward a better economy, long-term social sector impact, scalability, and more sustainable companies across all industries
• Demonstrate that making meaningful change will create new opportunities, not new risks. Today, too many investors and agents of change see making substantive change as a risk instead of an opportunity and focus on optics instead of results.
• Prioritize organizations that have a plan to put themselves out of business and social change leaders that are working to put themselves out of their jobs in order to tackle new problems. Real success will be achieved when no funding is needed and Power To Give should orient its longer-term plans and actions with this objective in mind.
• Involve people with lived experience from start to finish. People with lived experience of the problems being addressed are best able to identify solutions. However, they are almost never involved in funding decisions or program development.
• Reinvent monitoring and evaluation (M&E) to ensure it doesn’t get in the way of action. We need to shift from M&E as a requirement to M&E as reward.
• Move faster with the right expectations. Results that are less than anticipated do not necessarily mean the results are not good enough; it just means the problem is more difficult than expected and the actions taken may need to be refined or adapted.

The opportunity cost is too great not to make the shift to audacious giving and audacious change. I would like to thank the many people in my life who have provided their time, financial support and guidance to help Power To Give get ready for today and the future. I would like to extend a special thanks to Kevin Starr of the Mulago Foundation for his mentorship and for sharing his business model on measuring impact. I would like to extend a sincere thank you to Dan Pallotta for pushing me to think “big capital”. Most importantly, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to our major donor for believing in Power To Give and for giving us the ability to build a giving platform together that makes giving and impact easy, effective, and scalable.

---

---

Tim Cormode May 2021

Evidence of a deadly virus that has caused severe damage to the Atlantic salmon farming industry has been discovered in some farmed and wild B.C. salmon, according to a new study.

Biologist Alexandra Morton of the Raincoast Research Society worked with statistician Richard Routledge of Simon Fraser University and other researchers to test for the virus in more than 1,000 farmed and wild salmon of varying species.

Last year, a B.C. non-profit donated a million hygiene products to people in need.

This year, they hit a million in one month.

Personal hygiene products are essential at any time, and they are even more important right now to prevent the spread of COVID-19. But vulnerable people and those living in remote communities may have trouble obtaining these products.

That is where Soap for Hope comes in.

Michael Ableman has achieved something many thought impossible: creating thriving urban farms on pavement and contaminated soil in one of Canada’s poorest neighbourhoods.

Sole Food Street Farms in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside is an area almost entirely inhabited by folks who are dealing with long-term addiction, mental illness and poverty, says Ableman, who co-founded the urban farm venture in 2009 with Seann Dory.