A Year of Reckoning, Revival, and Renewal at the Wise Club

2024–2025

Over the past year, the Wise Club has undergone one of the most pivotal chapters in its long, storied history. What began as a financial and governance crisis became a rallying point for community, culture, and integrity. Under new leadership — a volunteer board, staff and community members stepped up to confront deep operational dysfunction as the Club faced its realities head-on.

In early 2024, the Wise Club faced an unprecedented crisis:

• We were weeks away from foreclosure.

• Years of financial mismanagement had left us with overdue taxes, misappropriated and incomplete grants, and no reliable financial records.

• The organization was operating with of lack clear governance, and critical operational systems were missing.

Now, thanks to the tireless efforts of the board, staff, volunteers and overwhelming community support, we
have moved from the brink of foreclosure toward a path of stability, cultural renewal, and responsible governance.

What We've Accomplished

Despite these challenges, the past year has been a testament to what’s possible when a community comes
together:

• Foreclosure Averted: We secured a one-year mortgage renewal. Most of this is going toward CRA debt (principal + substantial interest), but it bought us time and stability.

• Governance Reform: We adopted a new framework aligned with the BC Societies Act, developed whistleblower, conflict-of-interest policies, and implemented committee structures.

• Financial Overhaul: We worked to reconstruct our books and set up trackable, transparent systems.

• Booking System: We developed and are refining a venue booking system, ensuring accessibility while addressing financial shortfalls, with an infrastructure to support and promote events hosted at our hall.

• Community Engagement: We have taken our membership, from a few hundred to over 2000 members. Hosting events weekly in the membership lounge. We’ve also seen our social media engagement increase by almost 500%, on Instagram (we’re almost at 11k followers) and went from 1125 to 10.9K with almost 8K increase in followers on Facebook.

• Fundraising Wins: A viral membership campaign, a four-night concert series, and local businesses raised essential funds.

• Cultural Commitment: Ensuring partnerships, events and bookings reflect our values of safety, inclusion, and community care.​

Not Out of the Woods — But Moving

Not Out of the Woods — But Moving Forward

While the foreclosure threat has been averted, the Wise is not yet in the clear. The organization still faces
debt accrued since the pandemic, requires operational staffing, and must restore public and funder
confidence after years of instability. Grants were found to have been misused or not completed under
previous management, requiring a reset in our funding relationships.

Where We Are Now

• While the threat of foreclosure has passed, the work continues:

• We are addressing debt accrued under previous management since COVID.

• We need to hire operational support to reduce volunteer strain and meet administrative demands.

• Preparing for union contract negotiations.

• We are restoring funder confidence after years of instability.

• We are working towards consistent solvency and building a long-term sustainable financial model.

 

A Cultural and Ethical Compass

Throughout it all, the Wise has recommitted to being more than a venue. It is a union employer, a living-

wage contractor, and a fiercely values-driven space. We’ve turned away bookings that clashed with our

commitment to safety and inclusivity, and leaned deeper into its purpose: to be a cultural and community

sanctuary in East Vancouver.

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What’s Next?

• Finalizing our strategic recovery plan

• Launching new membership program (merch, perks and more)

• Rebuilding grant partnerships

• Developing and expanding programming and community engagement

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How You Can Help

• Join or renew your membership — we’re launching new tier options.

• Donate — every dollar helps us stabilize and grow.

• Volunteer or share your skills — especially if you have financial, legal, communications, or fundraising experience.

• Spread the word — share our story and help keep the Wise thriving. @wisehallandlounge

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This is not just a comeback story. It’s a movement — one that’s still unfolding. And we need our community

more than ever to see it through.

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Gratefully on behalf of the Wise board and staff.