Vancity’s support for small businesses and independent workers

As a values-based financial co-operative, Vancity is focused on improving the financial well-being of its members and building healthy communities. One of Vancity’s key strategic priorities is to support small businesses and independent workers. The credit union does this in a number of ways, including through advocacy, its products and services, and by working together with other organizations that support skill sharing and resource development for independent workers.

Products and services

• The Vancity Member Health Benefits Plan provided by Pacific Blue Cross is designed specifically for small businesses and self-employed workers.
• Vancity offers loans at start-up and pre start-up to microenterprises that have a great business idea, demonstrable passion and the drive to succeed.
• Vancity business account managers, conveniently located at various locations throughout Metro Vancouver, are equipped and trained to provide meaningful financial advice to small businesses.

Advocacy

• Together with the Urban Worker Project, in September 2018, Vancity is hosting a “Skillshare” that will focus on essential skills, tools and information independent workers need to survive and thrive in the new world of work.
• Vancity has partnered with Eastside Flea to deliver a series of workshops throughout 2018 with topics relevant to independent workers, including financing, social media and legal issues.
• Vancity supports the Coworking B.C. Collective, which provides collaboration opportunities for independent workers.
• Vancity is a proud supporter of the Living Wage for Families Campaign and has been a certified employer since 2011.
• Vancity was a presenting sponsor of the SFU Public Square keynote event The New World of Work: Thriving or Surviving?, which focused on the role that citizens, governments and civil society can play in shaping the future of work.
• Vancity has worked with food trucks and food truck festivals to provide skill workshops on various business topics, such as cash flow management.
• Vancity collaborates with partners in the social sector and in labour to look at the changing nature and future of work through coalitions such as the Good Economy Project, the Climate Justice Project and the Green Jobs Coalition.
• Vancity is involved with the Employment Standards Coalition, and we are founding supporters of the Good Jobs B.C. alliance.

Last updated August 2018