What we do
The Royal Canadian Naval Benevolent Fund (RCNBF) stands as a beacon of support within the naval community. Over 82 remarkable years, the RCNBF earned the trust of sailors, veterans, and their families. This trust is rooted in our unwavering commitment to providing crucial assistance to those who have dedicated their lives to the defense of Canada. The RCNBF has developed impactful programs across four key areas: individual assistance, community support, education and a leadership award. Each program addresses specific needs ensuring that no member of the naval community facing hard times is overlooked or unsupported.
Funding priorities
The RCNBF pursues its legacy program of support for naval veterans and serving members and their families. We have initiated programming for organizations whose charitable purposes align with our mission. For example, we joined a project to build homes for homeless veterans and provided seed money to start a food pantry for military families. We partnered with the Canadian Veterans Service Dog Unit to provide service dogs to naval veterans with injuries/PTSD. We are currently researching an educational and awareness program about the Battle of the Atlantic.
How you can help
Donate
The RCNBF was originally funded from undistributed WWI prize money. Strong stewardship has allowed it to fulfill its mission over the years, and the Fund’s mandate has evolved to meet the changing needs of the community. A recent needs assessment refocused efforts to provide meaningful support where it’s most needed, especially when assistance isn’t available elsewhere.
Your donation will support individual grants for basic needs, assistance to organizations helping naval veterans and serving members, family initiatives, education, and an award for a sailor demonstrating leadership.
Volunteer
The RCNBF has worked diligently to recruit board members who not only have an affinity with the Royal Canadian Navy, and thus a real connection with our client groups, but to attract corporate entities, educators, and ordinary Canadians who have an interest and care about our sailors and their families. We provide volunteer opportunities on programming and fundraising committees to ensure fair and relevant decisions about resource allocations, and we involve volunteers in key events such as the annual Navy Bike Ride.
The RCNBF supports youth education and believes in meeting young people where their interests lie – today that is technology. The Fund provided funds to upgrade the software on a navigation simulator. The Cadets can engage in operations such as conning a ship into port, taking manual fixes to plot the way into harbour, and relaying to a team at the chart table. Kids 12-18 years of age are fascinated by the system, they show up for a program that is “cool” , and may even develop an interest in joining the Navy.
To learn more about this charity, please visit the latest issue of the Giving Guide here:
