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Donor Profile: A Life of Service & Legacy – Brian & Gilly Marshall

The Vancouver Police Foundation (VPF) is one of several charities that has benefitted from Brian and Gilly Marshall’s philanthropy over the past six years. The Marshalls also recently shared with us that the VPF is one of a handful of organizations that they have named in their estate plans – with a residual bequest.

Their story is so inspiring that we simply had to share it with all of you – though that took some convincing on Brian and Gilly Marshalls’ end. They have been deliberately quiet about their philanthropy, preferring to see the impact of their gifts rather than their own names in print. But with this story, Brian and Gilly hope to inspire others to consider the impact that estate and legacy giving can have.

In a recent conversation, Brian shared that similar to the sworn members and civilian professionals of the Vancouver Police Department, he and Gilly also devoted their professional lives to public service and to making Canada a better place for all. His father, who was a senior civil servant with the federal government, shaped Brian’s own career path with the federal government.

Brian was posted with the-then Department of Indian Affairs, and later became deeply involved with multicultural communities, policy and initiatives. Later posted to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, he returned to Vancouver, where he met Gilly, his wife of 52 years. Theirs was the meeting of a romantic comedy film – Brian describes meeting Gilly in his office when she “walked through the wrong door”.

A few years later they started seeing one another, getting married in 1972. Their life’s journey was shaped by shared, strong values and a deep and abiding commitment to community. Following retirement from professional life, they remained active in their neighbourhood as volunteers, joining the VPD’s Block Watch program in Dunbar. Brian served as a Block Watch captain for several years – until 2007 – and it was his interaction with VPD officers who attended the annual Block Watch party which initially led he and Gilly to consider supporting these type of community outreach efforts.

                         

In 2017, they launched their own family giving program through RBC Dominion Securities. They selected several charities that spoke to their values. In 2018, Brian read an article in the Globe and Mail, in which VPD Chief Constable Adam Palmer was asked what he would do with $1 million. Chief Palmer replied that he’d donate it to the VPF. Brian then reached out to the VPF and connected with our Executive Director, Andrea Wright. After discussing the types of programs and initiatives that speak to them, Brian and Gilly decided to provide annual support to a range of VPF-funded programs supporting Indigenous communities and Indigenous youth.

Over the past few years, Brian and Gilly’s wide-spread generosity has impacted nearly 20 different charities across Canada. A small handful of these organizations have been included in their will. The VPF is deeply honoured and grateful to be one of these organizations. Brian and Gilly strongly believe that by giving youth the opportunity to reach their full potential and discover different passions and hobbies, we are helping to set them up for success in life. Here at the VPF, we believe that too.

When asked what it is about the Vancouver Police Foundation that merited inclusion in their will, Brian provided a few thoughtful responses.

“Police work is terribly ugly at times and these officers are dealing with the absolute worst in our community. But they are also best positioned to respond to immediate need and to make a difference and we should all support them to do that.”

He also noted that he’s had the opportunity to meet with some of the female VPD officers who have worked with women in the sex industry. He noted that women in particular have been sexually exploited for thousands of years which is not only repugnant, but that we as a society need to recognize that these are people who deserve to be fed, housed and kept safe. He’s followed the work of former VPF-funded Sex Industry Liaison Officers Linda Malcom and Mariya Zhalovaga for many years and commends their incredible empathy and passion for supporting those most vulnerable.

Brian and Gilly are working with a Trust company to finalize their estate plans, including the administration of their estate. They wish others to know that including charities in your estate plans can not only be beneficial from a tax planning perspective, but also ensures that the organizations doing good work in our community can continue to do so and meet the needs of both the few, and the many.

We are deeply grateful to Brian and Gilly and all of the donors who enable Vancouver Police Foundation funding for over a hundred programs each year – gifts of any size, one-time donations, monthly donations, legacy donations or commitments over multiple years ALL make a difference.

If you would like to learn more about leaving a gift to the Vancouver Police Foundation in your will, please CLICK HERE.


The Vancouver Police Foundation supports programs and initiatives that fall within three streams: community outreach and engagement (including programs for women, youth and seniors); public and personal safety; and specialized equipment and technology. You can help make Vancouver safer for all by donating to the Vancouver Police Foundation.

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