There are many companies and organizations that provide great campaign services, but the Winch Institute is the only organization in BC that provides inexpensive campaign services to a large number of small local government candidates.
Over the last 10 years Winch has provided campaign services to over a hundred candidates and trained over 200 campaign volunteers.
In the 2022 BC Local Government elections Winch provided services to 41 candidates, in 11 communities, of which 33 were elected, including four new mayors (Victoria, New Westminster, Maple Ridge and Nelson).
In addition, we have provided training services to the BC and Federal NDP, and campaign services in the 2023 NWT Elections, 2026 New Brunswick local government elections and local government by-elections.
Winch is able to provide training and campaign services at reasonable rates because it invests upfront in campaign tools, templates and training materials, and has created a catalogue of campaign materials and training courses from previous elections. Our non- profit status also ensures “fair market rates” are attainable by local campaigns. Winch provides “one stop shopping” for many candidates at the same time during elections by partnering with other services providers and bringing on additional resources as required to scale up.
2026 local government elections will be challenging for progressive candidates. Parents Voice BC is actively fundraising and recruiting school board candidates in over 60 school districts. The Conservative Electors Association is registered in 40 communities across BC. Endorsed CEA candidates will simply have the name “Conservative” beside their names on the ballot.
If you are considering running for local government in 2026 and would like Winch on your side, send us an email at [email protected] ... and bring a friend.
Candidates choose from existing templates and previous campaign materials, and they are only charged to customize these templates for their local campaigns. We also recruit experienced campaign organizers, graphic artists and digital communications experts to deliver our training and services.
Where other for-profit campaign service providers’ business models are based on a small number of large customers, Winch’s business model is geared to support a large number of small local campaigns and provided them the same level of services a candidate would receive from the central campaign during a provincial or federal election.
Campaign planning & training
From the ground up, we can make sure you have the right foundation for the best campaign possible, including strategic planning and candidate training to make sure you feel comfortable with the role.
Full graphic design
Includes creating unique and effective designs for candidate post cards, lawn signs, vote-at cards, social media, and display ads.
Social media management
We can help navigate social media with Facebook page setup and socially-targeted ads that will maximize your advertising dollars.
Website and voter contact
Website and donation processor configuration, Voter list database set-up, voter contact training and support.
"They're great! I used them as one stop shopping for many of my campaign services. Best of ali, they could do it all remotely."
Janice Morrison, Mayor of Nelson
"Support from the Winch Institute was critical to our big A Better Maple Ridge win."
Jenny Tan, Councillor Maple Ridge
"Labour endorsed candidates in New Westminster have used Winch services for over 10 vears and the results speak for themselves."
Cheryl Greenhalgh, Financial Agent Community First New Westminster
"I started to make my own campaign materials and website, but turned it over to Winch. so I could focus on making conections with voters"
Chantelle Morvav. Trustee Nanaimo Ladvsmith Public School District