By Janice Lozano
A B.C. MLA is calling on groups that received Lapau-Lapu donations to turn over unspent funds so these resources can be redirected to support survivors and families of victims of the April 26, 2025 festival attack in Vancouver.
Mable Elmore, MLA for Vancouver-Kensington, says that people impacted by the incident continue to deal with the effects of last year’s tragedy.
“Survivors and families of those whose lives were taken continue to bear the weight of their loss. They need all the help we can give in their healing,” Elmore said.
In line with this, Elmore has written United Way BC, asking the charitable organization that launched the Kapwa Strong Fund to receive and distribute donations, to assist in the repatriation of unspent funds.
Specifically, the Vancouver MLA requested United Way BC to ask groups that it granted monies out of the Kapwa Strong Fund to give back leftover funds.
“I am confident that with your suggestion, groups that received part of the Kapwa Strong Fund will show compassion and respond favourably,” Elmore wrote in her letter dated April 21, 2026.
Elmore’s letter was addressed to United Way BC CEO and president Michael McKnight, board chair Nicolas Jimenez, and the senior leadership and board of the charity.
The Kapwa Strong Fund raised more than $2 million.
A big portion representing $1,574,556.04 went towards grants to nearly 40 groups, while Lapu-Lapu festival organizer Filipino BC was allocated $451,570.
In addition to $451,570, Filipino BC also got $50,000 from the grants totalling $1,574,556.04.
Here is a breakdown of how that money was distributed:
1. Alliance Philippines Cultural Heritage Association – $50,000
2. Amici Curiae Friendship Society – $50,000
3. Association for Neighbourhood Houses – Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House – $20,000
4. Association for Neighbourhood Houses – South Vancouver Neighbourhood House – $49,483.12
5. Bandits Community Foundation – $30,000
6. Bibak Organization of British Columbia – $25,000
7. British Columbia Bereavement Helpline – $25,000
8. Dance West Network – $25,000
9. Filipino Canadian Community & Cultural Society of British Columbia (Filipino BC) – $50,000
10. Formative Motion Society – $25,000
11. Gallery Gachet Society – $3,189.54
12. GJ Multicultural Services Society – $65,000
13. H.I.M. Health Initiative for Men’s Society – $25,000
14. Himig Kabataan Cultural Society – $25,000
15. Indigenous Wellness Training Society – $50,000
16. Kathara Pilipino Indigenous Arts Collective Society – $25,000
17. KCH Collective Society – $25,000
18. Latincouver Cultural & Business Society – $55,000
19. Mabuhay House Society – $75,000
20. Maple Bamboo Network Society – $15,000
21. Migrante BC – Filipino Society – $25,000
22. Moving Forward Family Services – $25,000
23. Multicultural Helping House Society – $25,000
24. National Pilipino Canadian Cultural Centre Society – $25,000
25. Philippine Cultural Arts Society of BC – $20,800
26. Philippine Nurses Association, British Columbia, Canada – $25,000
27. PNA Philippine Nurses Association – $50,000
28. Pinoy Pride Vancouver Society – $25,000
29. REACH Community Health Centre Association – $12,370
30. Sher Vancouver LGBTQ Friends Society – $75,000
31. St. John Society – $22,800
32. The Landing Youth Centre Foundation – $49,955.27
33. The Little Mountain Neighbourhood House Society – $50,000
34. United Filipino Canadian Associations in BC – $145,000 and $100,000
35. University of the Philippines Alumni Association in British Columbia – $10,000
36. Vancouver International Centre for Contemporary Asian Art – $25,000
37. VS. Creative Society – $25,000
In her letter to United Way BC, Elmore suggested that any funds returned should be disbursed directly by the charity to survivors and victims’ families.
The Lapu-Lapu attacked happened near Elmore’s community office. She is the only Filipino MLA in B.C.
ReyFort Media 
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