Philanthropist

Sybil believes everyone should give back to their community and practices what she preaches. She is a dedicated philanthropist with her own charitable giving fund, through the Raymond James Canada Foundation. Not only generous with her money, she is also generous with her time. Sybil is focused on supporting women in becoming financially independant and self-confident. Below are a few highlights intended to inspire others to find ways to support causes important to them: 

• Sybil contributes 5-10% of her net income each year to The Verch Charitable Fund and in turn distributes annual grants to various non-profit organizations, with a heavy weighting towards those organizations that empower women and girls.
• The Sybil Verch Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame Award was established and funded by Sybil to give $3,000 each year to support a woman entering an undergraduate program at UVic from a secondary school in the Greater Victoria region and who competes for a Vikes varsity team.
• Sybil established the Sybil Verch Woman in Business Award of $2500 per year to a fourth year female B.Comm student at the Peter B Gustavson School of Business with an interest in a career in finance.
• Sybil donated over $100,000 to the YMCA-YWCA of Vancouver Island to open a new childcare centre to further support women returning to work and empower their families.
• Sybil has volunteered on the Board of Directors for the YWCA-YMCA of Vancouver Island since 2009, including 2 years as vice-chair and 2 years as chair. She remains a continued advocate for the YMCA & YWCA locally and nationally.
• Sybil delivers a “Power of Giving” presentation to non-profit organizations, their boards and donors to inspire others to give more. She educates individuals, families, and organizations on ways to give and how to maximize impact.
• Sybil volunteers at the Peter B. Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria in a number of ways including; member of the Distinguished Entrepreneur of the Year Award Gala committee since 2003, a guest speaker and mentor to students interested in pursuing a career in finance
• Sybil facilitated the joint initiative between the Raymond James Ltd. Victoria Branch and CHEK-TV for the Christmas Carol Campaign that raised a total of $77,382 for the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation.
• Sybil supports an annual International Women’s Day event in support of Bridges for Women Society. Bridges is a gutsy, innovative community agency. Their employment training and supportive programs inspire women impacted by violence or abuse, to reclaim their lives and build economic stability.
• Sybil is a founding member of 100 Women Who Care Victoria, a large and growing group of women that meet quarterly and donate money to local charities for positive impact.
• Sybil helped raise $109,000 so a single mother of two boys could buy a home through Habitat for Humanity Victoria.
• Sybil established the “Sybil Verch Woman in Leadership Award" to  provide financial support to assist single mothers involved in YWCA programs with at least one dependent child. It will provide a maximum of $5,000 for an applicant who plans to pursue education that will allow her to demonstrate leadership, either in her organization, community or industry of choice.

 No matter what Sybil Verch undertakes, she does so with great passion, determination, compassion and a sincere desire to make a difference in the lives of others.