The Government House Foundation

The passing of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II inspired much reflection on her seven decades of service to the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. Royal patronage has long been a vessel to highlight the good work of organizations and individuals who support their communities, inspire through culture and the arts, and raise awareness on ways to make a positive impact in our society.

The work of the Government House Foundation models itself after the legacy of the Queen’s service, with programs from funds raised at events such as the annual Government House Foundation Gala Ball supporting a variety of initiatives throughout the mandate of each Lieutenant Governor.

The Foundation also works to preserve the grounds, gardens and historic elements of Government House. The grounds make up a beloved park, open to the public, with a fascinating history, and enchanting location, set amongst 36 acres of gardens and woodlands overlooking the Juan de Fuca Strait, while the House hosts to ceremonies and events celebrating and recognizing the excellence of British Columbians.

Platinum Jubilee Programmes:

In 2022, Her Late Majesty celebrated her Platinum Jubilee, and the Foundation was immensely proud to support several programmes through the Office of the Lieutenant Governor in reflection of the lifelong dedicated service of the Queen:

The Lieutenant Governor’s BC Journalism Fellowship

In the spirit of supporting a healthy democracy with a thriving journalistic community, the Lieutenant Governor’s BC Journalism Fellowship has funded investigative and data journalist Francesa Fionda with $25,000 to explore the gaps in support for evacuees of disasters in British Columbia through long form reporting. Learn more.

Lieutenant Governor’s Arts and Music Awards

The Lieutenant Governor’s Arts and Music Awards recognized individuals, groups and organizations throughout BC who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, creativity, community engagement, passion, and commitment through fostering and mentoring others in the fields of Visual Arts, Music or Performance. 11 individual recipients and 17 organizations received a monetary award and certificates in support of their achievements. Learn more.

Other Programmes Supported by the Government House Foundation:

The BC Reconciliation Award – Under the Honourable Janet Austin, 30th Lieutenant Governor of BC

The British Columbia Reconciliation Award recognizes individuals, groups and organizations who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, integrity, respect, and commitment to furthering reconciliation or inspired others to continue reconciliation efforts. Learn more.

Stewards of the Future – Under the Honourable Judith Guichon, 29th Lieutenant Governor of BC

Stewards of the Future supported and encouraged emerging leaders to connect with their environments, explore their own communities, and investigate stewardship initiatives. Funding was available for youth to go on field trips, visit local sites of interest and engage in stewardship projects in their communities.

Write to Read – Under the Honourable Steven Point, 28th Lieutenant Governor of BC

Write to Read is a partnership-based program working with Indigenous communities to provide access to literacy materials and resources in areas without a designated nearby learning centre or library. Learn more.

The BC Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards – Under the Honourable Iona Campagnolo, 27th Lieutenant Governor of BC

As the oldest wine judging competition in the province, the BC Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards recognizes excellence in winemaking, judged by a rotating panel of highly respected experts from across the industry, showcasing the best quality products the province has to offer. Learn more.

Learn more about the work of the Government House Foundation, including annual events such as the November Gala Ball.