We’re excited to announce that our Neighbourhood Small Grants program will open on March 1, 2025 and take applications until April13, 2025

In partnership with the Vancouver Foundation, we offer grants of up to $500 for you to bring your community project to life. With a Neighbourhood Small Grant, you join a network of thousands of project leaders across British Columbia who have taken steps to better their neighbourhoods—just like you.

Why are we doing this? Because magic happens when neighbours connect. It forms friendships, makes our communities safer and more vibrant.

Process Overview

Write and submit your application

  • You can ask for a grant of between $50 to $500.
  • Be sure to review our  Resources and Tips section before starting!

Wait for the results

  • Volunteers from your community review applications. You will know if your proposal was approved six to eight weeks after the application period closes.

Bring your ideas to life

  • Your grant will be sent to you via direct deposit. Now it’s time to get started!

Share your story

  • Be sure to take a few photos and share them with us. This will help inspire more people like you to get started too.
Eligibility

Applicants must:

  • Be a resident of the Columbia Valley (between Canal Flats and Spillimacheen)
  • Not apply on behalf of a business or registered organization.  However, you may apply on behalf of an informal group (for example, a meetup or shared interest group).
  • Applicants may apply for only one NSG grant at a time, but they are welcome to collaborate with other project leaders or participate in multiple NSG projects.

Please note that:

  • The project must take place within the Columbia Valley
  • The project must be free to attend and be accessible and welcoming to all. We encourage applications for projects that are accessible to people with disabilities and inclusive of all people. 
  • Honorariums paid for services can only cover up to $350 of the project

For more details, view our Resources and Tips section below. 

What are the key dates?

Application period: March 1, 2025 to April 13, 2025

Online Information Session:  March 20, 2025, 6 – 8 pm.  Register here!

Project Timeframe:  June 1st, 2025 to November 30, 2025.

What info do I need to apply?
What are the reporting requirements?
  • Tell a Story
    You will be required to submit a 500 word ‘story’ detailing your event.How did your project go? Any surprises? Anything that you would change? Did you have enough support?
  • Take Photos
    During your project, make sure you take photos or videos that you can submit.
  • Project Budget
    An Expense form must be submitted detailing how you spent your budget.
Where do I apply?

Through the Columbia Valley Community Foundation’s Application Portal

Click here for a tutorial on how to use this portal.

APPLY NOW

Resources and Tips

  • Paint a picture in words: Use your imagination and envision the day!
  • Neighbours and Community: How will you invite people? Posters, door to door?
  • Activities: What type of activities will encourage conversations or offer age-friendly, accessible activities?
  • Diversity and Inclusion: Food offerings, welcoming newcomers, accessibility?
  • Community Outreach:  Consider involving speakers with special knowledge and skills, Indigenous knowledge sharers;  Explore local government resources
  • To ensure inclusivity, events cannot be held at businesses, school grounds, places of worship, or private membership venues.
  • Projects involving infrastructure building, major upgrades, or large equipment purchases (e.g., computers), except community gardens.
  • Projects focused on therapy or counselling support.
  • Projects designed for financial profit, though honorariums are permitted.
  • Political activities, including advocacy, campaigning, endorsements of political agendas, or political fundraising.
  • You may not allocate the entire budget to one item. 
  • Bouncy castles 
  • Professional fees 
  • Travel costs 
  • Projects where money is redirected to a fundraiser

Community Connections and Engagement: How will your project cultivate relationships, deepen connections, and encourage interactions?

Fostering Belonging and Community Responsibility: How does your project inspire a sense of ownership, agency, and care among neighbours?

Skill Sharing and Knowledge Exchange: How does your project create opportunities for neighbours to share skills, talents, or stories, helping everyone learn and grow together?

Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility: How does your project ensure everyone feels welcomed, reduce barriers to participation, and connect people from different backgrounds and experiences?

Budget Feasibility and Responsibility: Is your budget clear, realistic and and aligned with funding guidelines to make the most of the grant and benefit the community?

  • Offer food at your event. Food is an important part of bringing people together. When planning, consider a variety of options to accommodate different dietary needs, ensuring an inclusive and welcoming environment.
  • Think Inclusively: Who is in your community –  seniors, youth, who else? We encourage applications for projects that are accessible to people with disabilities and inclusive of all people. 
  • Think Resourcefully: Borrow items or get donations from local businesses if possible.
  • Think Local: Try to buy from locally owned and/or sourced businesses
  • Think Green:  Consider ways to reduce the environmental impact of your project.
  • Check out previous projects from the Columbia Valley and across B.C. for inspiration 
  • Email us and ask us questions

Permits and Compliance:  Projects held on neighbourhood streets, public spaces or parks must comply with local government by-laws, obtain necessary permits, and  may require the project leader to secure liability insurance before starting.  These costs may be covered as part of the project budget.

Road Closures:  Any road closure requests must be approved by the Municipality or Regional District. For more information on this, contact your local government offices.

Bookings:  To be sure your chosen location is available for your event, the recommended time frame to apply and organize for the event should be 4 weeks in advance or more. July and August are the most heavily used months for most parks, so to avoid disappointment or potential conflict of events, consider booking your event in any of the other months.

Garbage, recycling and composting:  Project organizers are responsible for clean-up after the event.  If decorations are planned, please consider using items that are reusable, recyclable or compostable.

Alcohol:  Alcohol is not permitted on public property, including roads

Food Service:  If the event involves serving food, a permit from Interior Health may be required.

Access to Power:  There is often a fee to access power.  For more information contact your local government.

Grant Success Stories