At the 2025 Giving Hearts Awards ceremony this month, Richard Bell, Founder of Bell Alliance LLP, was honoured as a finalist for the Outstanding Legacy Philanthropist Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals. The entire World Housing team congratulates Richard on this well deserved recognition — he stands alongside the incredible individuals, families and organizations that generously give their time, leadership and financial support to benefit countless people and communities.
We are proud and grateful to have Richard as Chair of World Housing’s Board of Directors. There are very few who cover as much ground as Richard, or touch as many people with his fierce determination to make this world a better place. From Latin roots, philanthropy means ‘love of humankind’… this is the perfect word to describe Richard! We see Richard as the rock, the guiding light, the steady rudder of the ship and wanted to share a little of his story to paint the picture of all he has accomplished.
Richard in action with World Housing
Richard Bell is founding partner of Bell Alliance LLP, a Vancouver based company he started in 2006. It is where he serves as an ‘estate lawyer’ and leads a team of 70+ lawyers, immigration consultants, paralegals and support staff at one of Vancouver’s largest firms specializing in real estate, business and corporate law, estate planning, estate management and probate, wills & trusts, and immigration.
If being a full-time practising lawyer and business owner isn’t enough to keep you busy, Richard also finds time and is incredibly committed and involved in his family life. He is a father of two daughters, a grandfather, son and caregiver for his 97 year old mother, and dog parent to Cooper, who all live on their multi-generational compound in Vancouver. Despite having more than a full and busy life, Richard finds the time to volunteer his leadership, business acumen and unflappable energy actively involved in not one, but six different non-profit organizations.
The following are excerpts from nomination letters in support of Richard, to help give a glimpse into the life of this true philanthropist.
WORLD HOUSING ORGANIZATION
“Richard is a natural, empathetic leader who has played a vital role in expanding our mission. Under his leadership, World Housing continues to provide homes for homeless individuals in Cambodia, Colombia, Africa, the Philippines, and Mexico. Equally important, Richard’s hands-on approach has helped us consistently raise donor funding to ensure that our work includes not only housing, but also critical support services such as education, nutrition, and healthcare. While it’s difficult to fully capture the depth of Richard’s passion and commitment in a single letter, I can say without hesitation that his contributions have led to measurable, lasting impact. Thousands of lives have been improved because of his vision, generosity, and leadership.” — Peter Dupuis, Co-Founder World Housing
ARTS CLUB THEATRE
Richard is a former Arts Club Board Chair as well as one of the founders and current members of the Arts Club’s Legacy Circle that formalized the Arts Club Planned Giving program and continues strong today. Richard inspires legacy giving to others and speaks on charitable giving at numerous public and business seminars. His personal estate plan includes the Arts Club and numerous of other charities. Richard doesn’t just donate time or money, he builds structures, literally and metaphorically, that uplift others. Whether through legacy fundraising at a leading arts institution, guiding nonprofits through complex transitions, or creating housing solutions that challenge the status quo, Richard brings vision and compassion to every endeavor. In honoring Richard Bell with the Outstanding Legacy Philanthropist Award, we recognize not only what he has done, but how he has done it—with humility, heart, and a tireless belief in the power of human connection. — Ruby Campbell, Arts Club Theatre
FAB – FIT ACTIVE BEAUTIFUL FOUNDATION
As a grassroots organization with no government funding, supporters like Richard help make
our programs possible—and sustainable. As a recurring donor, Richard’s annual gifts have
been a steady and dependable source of financial support. This consistency allows us to plan
more confidently, sustain programming, and focus on long-term impact rather than short-term
survival. His commitment over more than 15 years speaks volumes about his values and the
way he chooses to support community-based work. As someone who has personally known Richard for 25 years, I have had a front row seat to the endless ways he has and continues to strengthen community. He has had a personal hand in directing millions of dollars into the not-for-profit sector through his own contributions, fundraising efforts on behalf of organizations, and championing efforts to encourage his estate planning clients to give after they pass. It is not just one thing that he does that will have a lasting impact, it is truly who he is, what he believes and what he does every day that has created a legacy of giving that will benefit the world for decades to come. –Sharon Gallant, Founder
LATINCOUVER
I met Richard during the early years of Latincouver, when I was cold-calling organizations to share our vision. Out of hundreds of emails, Richard responded with genuine interest. He invited me to his office to learn more about our mission: to create a space that celebrates Latin American arts and culture while helping newcomers build community in Canada. In 2013, Richard became our first corporate sponsor – his support was a pivotal moment that gave me, as a new founder, the confidence to keep going. Beyond sponsorship, Richard has always shown up. He offered us meeting rooms and recording studios, which helped us establish credibility early on. As a lawyer, he’s also provided valuable legal advice over the years, without charge, during moments when we needed it most. Recently, Richard played a pivotal role in our first fundraising event, inspiring attendees to contribute and providing invaluable support throughout. Twelve years later, Richard remains a true friend of our organization. He supports not just with resources, but with heart. He empowers others to build sustainable change—he doesn’t just give the fish, he teaches how to fish. — Paola V Murrillo, Founder and Executive Director.
SMALL HOUSING BC
Richard Bell has been an outstanding colleague whose generous and openhearted manner has
deeply impacted me. From the beginning, he was an early supporter of Small Housing BC, the non-profit I founded to expand housing options on single lots in Vancouver. Recognizing the potential of this housing model to provide attainable homes for families across BC, Richard backed our startup with a personal grant. With encouragement, he later joined the board and has since played a leading role in shaping the organization’s growth. Today, Small Housing BC is a recognized force in progressive residential land use. Richard’s strategic thinking, creativity, and unwavering values continue to drive meaningful impact in the housing sector. He is a principled and deeply humane professional I greatly admire. — Jake Fry, Founder of Small Housing B.C. and Smallworks
PALS – ADULT SERVICES SOCIETY
I first met Richard in 2010 when his law firm Bell Alliance provided services and advice to families connected to PLAN (Planned Life Advocacy Network) in structuring and planning Wills & Trusts for their loved ones with disabilities. I was Executive Director of PLAN (Interim) and was impressed by his knowledge, candour, and particularly his generosity with his time. Rare for law firms, and so precious in the not-for-profit sector! Since then, the relationship has grown as he freely gives his time and expertise to the VPTG (Vancouver Parents Transition Group) for families planning to support their children with disabilities in adulthood and now PASS (PALS Adult Services Society) for adults living with autism. This latter includes funding though donations to PASS, and also helping us develop independent supported housing solutions for those with developmental disabilities. –John McCulloch, Chair
One of Richard’s favourite quotes, and words to live by!
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” — Winston Churchill
