By Kezia Royer-Burkett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Burlington Community Foundation has launched its 2025 Vital Signs survey, inviting residents to share their experiences and perspectives to help shape future funding priorities. This year, the Foundation is placing a strong emphasis on gathering first-hand, hyperlocal insights.
“The survey serves as a tool to help us identify potential service gaps and highlight where we can continue to build and strengthen our community,” said Megan Tregunno, CEO of Burlington Community Foundation.
Vital Signs is a data-driven initiative used to inform how charitable resources are allocated in Burlington. While earlier reports often relied on aggregated, second-hand data from sources such as Statistics Canada, this year’s approach focuses on capturing real-time input from residents themselves.
“This approach allows us to understand the needs of Burlington today, not just what the statistics say about yesterday,” said Tregunno. “We’re committed to gathering information that reflects the full diversity of this community.”
To promote broad community participation, the Foundation has partnered with local organizations such as the Burlington Food Bank, the Burlington Public Library, and First Ontario Credit Union. Posters and postcards featuring QR codes and website information are displayed at libraries, community centres, pools, and financial institutions across the city, directing residents to the online survey. The digital survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete.
With over 1,800 subscribers receiving updates via email and active promotion across social media channels, the Foundation has adopted a hybrid strategy of digital outreach and on-the-ground engagement.
Recognizing that language may be a barrier for some, the Foundation has also implemented translation support. Through partnerships with the Halton Multicultural Council and the Burlington Public Library, residents can access multilingual assistance. Those requiring support can contact the Foundation directly by phone or email to be connected with a translator.
The 2025 edition also gathers detailed demographic information to better identify service and access gaps across various populations in the city. Unlike past surveys, which compiled primarily secondary data, this year’s survey aims to provide a clearer, more accurate reflection of current community needs.
“We’ve been leading Vital Signs for over a decade, but this is the first time we are conducting the survey using first-hand, hyperlocal data,” said Tregunno.
The survey includes open-ended sections where respondents can share additional thoughts, suggestions, or concerns. The information collected will inform future iterations of the survey and directly impact the Foundation’s funding decisions. Survey findings will be publicly presented this September at a community launch of the 2025 Vital Signs report.
Beyond data collection, the Burlington Community Foundation is committed to building sustainable relationships with local communities. A key objective is to champion unrestricted giving and to promote funding models that reach beyond traditional charitable structures, supporting nonprofit organizations doing critical work at the grassroots level. Unrestricted giving means nonprofits can use the funds where they’re needed most, rather than being limited to a specific project or purpose.
Coinciding with the survey, the Foundation has also unveiled a refreshed brand identity. It has officially returned to its original name — Burlington Community Foundation — after operating as Burlington Foundation since 2016. The rebrand signals a renewed focus on inclusive, community-first philanthropy.
With Burlington’s population continuing to grow and diversify, the Foundation sees the survey as an opportunity for every resident to have a voice in shaping the city’s future.
The 2025 Vital Signs survey is open until June 11, 2025, and can be accessed online or through participating community locations across the city. Click here to take the survey.
