Raise the Roof Galiano is a grass roots, ad hoc group of volunteers who work to raise awareness and funds for GALI, (Galiano Affordable Living Initiative Society), and GIGARHS, (Gulf Islands Galisle Affordable Rental Housing Society).

Most charitable organizations fundraise for operational costs, program expansion, or long-term sustainability. Raising funds for affordable housing is a long-term commitment. While there are grants available for capital costs, it is more challenging to find grants for operational costs to maintain the societies themselves. Society expenses typically include: insurance, bookkeeping, accounting, grant-writing, governance and policy development, advertising, and website maintenance, among others.

RTR posts a monthly community update for both societies in the Active Page under the RTR banner, and from time to time on the Raise the Roof Facebook group. RTR also hosts information and membership tables and offers affordable housing merchandise at a number of local events.

RTR runs regular fundraisers. The main fundraiser is an online peer-to-peer auction, which runs on most long weekends throughout the year. Additional past fundraisers include: a birdhouse building contest, a gingerbread house contest, Christmas ornament contests, a Benefit Concert with local musicians and writers, a children’s Christmas ornament workshop, and a Christmas wreath-making workshop.

Other individuals, businesses and community organizations have also created their own fundraisers, which have been promoted on the RTR Facebook page, with all proceeds going to GALI and GIGARHS: moving sales, sailing charters, a Farm Picnic, and, for the past three years, the Rave the Roof Music Festival by Active/Passive Music Society.

Since May 2021, RTR has played a substantial role in outreach and fundraising for both GALI and GIGARHS. All combined, RTR initiatives have raised upwards of $90,000 to help “keep the lights on” at both societies while they work to raise capital funds for their projects.

Visit us on Facebook to learn more and to participate in our online auctions.