The spirit of Giving Tuesday: how generosity drives Surrey Schools programs and supports students

December 2, 2025

How to Donate

By Email, Mail or Fax:

Download our fillable Surrey Schools Donation Card and send the completed form by email, mail or fax, along with confirmation of your cash donation, to:

Email: donations@surreyschools.ca

Mail:
Advancement Office
Surrey School District Education Centre
14033 92 Ave.
Surrey, B.C., V3V 0B7

Fax: 604-595-6067

Phone: 604-595-6066

Today is Giving Tuesday, an annual international movement promoting charity and philanthropy, and this year, Surrey Schools is highlighting the many ways our community partners support Surrey and White Rock students through generous donations toward district programs.

As part of the message of Giving Tuesday, the act of giving continues to be important in crafting a reciprocal, caring society – values that are aligned with the district’s mission for our school communities.

“The generosity of our donors is felt every single day,” said Laura Lukey, manager of Grants & Community Engagement with the Advancement Office. “Their impact reaches every corner of our schools, whether it’s a coat that keeps a child warm on the walk to school or a meal that helps them focus once they arrive. Their support helps ensure our students have the stability, care and opportunities they need to succeed.”

Surrey Schools is a registered Canadian Charity with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), and donations to the district support all manner of student needs, including:

food, clothing, hygiene products and other basic needs for students facing economic hardship;
essential supplies, classroom resources and equipment for students and educators to enhance learning experiences, support academic success and foster creativity;
safe, inclusive and engaging playgrounds for all students;
technology and digital learning tools to prepare students for academic and professional success;

While Surrey Schools receives operating funding from the provincial government for district operations, many programs – including those that support the needs of vulnerable students – rely on donations. Initiatives such as after-school programs, art supplies, musical instruments, sports equipment, transit passes, field trips, library books and scholarships are supported by the kind donations of individuals and corporations.

There are many ways to give, including annual gifts and charitable donations that are accepted by email, mail or fax (more information in the blue sidebar).

The district also has two endowment funds benefitting students: the SD36 Education Support Endowment and the new Bright Futures Endowment Fund, launched this year with the Wubs Family Foundation.

The Bright Futures Endowment Fund ensures students have their basic needs met for food, clothing, student supplies and transportation so they can better focus on learning, playing and growing in school. It also helps schools to fund educationally valuable field trips, technology and after-school programming, with investments earning a 5% return for future emergent needs.
The SD36 Education Support Endowment also invests donations with the goal of generating enough interest annually to fill long-term funding gaps for Surrey and White Rock schools and students. Donors may contribute to the endowment broadly for the district to determine the most urgent need, or designate their donation toward a specific program. Endowment contributions above $20 that comply with CRA regulations are also eligible for tax receipts.

“When donors give to our endowments, they are not just meeting today’s needs – they are building a legacy of care that will support students for generations,” said Lukey. “Their generosity becomes a steady source of comfort, opportunity and hope for students across our district.”

The district’s Advancement Office works with hundreds of committed partners and donors to ensure that diverse and important programs can run and that child and family supports are in place across the district’s school communities.

Those interested in donating to schools or the district – via the endowments, annual gifts or other charitable donations – may do so by contacting the Advancement Office or by donating online.

This Giving Tuesday, the district wishes to thank its donors for all their contributions, and to encourage others to support district programs.

The district accepts donations online and by email (donations@surreyschools.ca), mail, fax, phone and automatic bank debit (see info box). The district provides tax receipts for cash donations over $20.

For more information, visit our Giving and Ways to Give pages. If you’re interested in donating and would like to connect with the Advancement department to learn more about these programs, email BDEV-Office@surreyschools.ca