Join VQC's Monthly Giving Program

Requests for a quilt from Victoria’s Quilts Canada (VQC) have soared over the past year and continue to increase. So have the costs associated with purchasing quilt-making supplies and mailing completed quilts across Canada.

Donations to cover these costs are increasing steadily, but not fast enough to keep pace. They also fluctuate from month to month, resulting in cash crunches that can halt quilt-making operations until more money comes in. To address this situation, VQC has initiated a Monthly Giving Program that, over time, will provide a steadier, more predictable income stream to help us keep going. VQC is asking its donors to sign up for this program.

VQC makes and delivers quilts to comfort people living with cancer in Canada. The quilts are a gift, and no cost is ever passed on to the quilt recipient or the person requesting the quilt. Since our inception in 1999, we have delivered over 68,000 quilts across the country. VQC currently has more than 1,300 volunteers across Canada who, before the pandemic, made and delivered about 7,200 quilts a year.

Our problem

Our major source of funds are donations from private individuals. We do not have any paid staff, so these funds are used in our quilt-making program to purchase materials. The National Office is fortunate that it receives enough donations of 100% cotton fabric to make the quilt tops, but we must purchase the batting and flannel to complete the quilts. Each month, the National Office spends about $4,100 to purchase batting and flannel for the quilts produced by its local Friends Groups. National also spends over $2,100 each month to mail quilts to locations across Canada where there is no VQC Branch.

Our solution

Launching a Monthly Giving Program is one way to increase revenue to cover these expenses. Several people have already signed up, but we need you to do so as well. As a monthly contributor, you will provide us with a predictable income source that can help us plan ahead. Your donation could prevent our shutting down operations until sufficient funds come in so that we can order more more batting and flannel.

For example, donating $12 a month for one year will enable us to purchase one roll of cotton flannel to make the backs of 13 quilts. Donating $20 a month for one year will provide us with enough funds to purchase one roll of quilt batting that can then be used to make 26 quilts. Whatever the amount, your monthly commitment will make a difference – it will help brighten the lives of those who derive great comfort from a VQC quilt.

Donations can be made online via CanadaHelps (a secure, encrypted website) using your credit card or PayPal. A tax receipt will be issued. Note that the donation form also allows for  one-time donations.

Get into action

Sign up now. Tell your friends and family and colleagues – anyone who might care about VQC’s mission – to sign up as well. With your help, and theirs, we will continue to make and deliver quilts to comfort people across Canada who are living with cancer.