We are Vartana - a registered charity with a mandate to research and develop Canada's first financial institution dedicated to meeting the needs of voluntary sector organizations. Once established, Vartana Bank will be Canada's first bank that is also a registered charity. Its primary customers will be charities and non-profit organizations.

A Unique Vision for the Voluntary Sector in Canada

Voluntary/non-profit organizations deliver services such as home care for sick and elderly people, recreation programs for children and youth, shelter for survivors of abuse, or assistance to immigrant families adjusting to a new country. They enliven our cities with arts and cultural events, protect our environment, drive renewable energy initiatives, promote literacy and learning, advocate for rights, and monitor the quality of life of our communities, among a host of other activities.

Together, these organizations play an essential role in promoting active citizenship and building bridges between communities and cultures, across regions and between Canada and other countries.

Vartana Bank will provide an opportunity for Canada's voluntary sector organizations to pool their resources for the benefit of the sector – and Canada as a whole. These organizations have the knowledge, commitment and enthusiasm needed to achieve their goals but often lack solid financial infrastructure and appropriate financial tools and advice. Vartana Bank will change that by providing products, services and advice grounded in an understanding of the voluntary sector and its needs. As a registered charity and itself a part of the sector, Vartana Bank will truly be a bank of, by and for Canada’s voluntary sector.