SOME FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Below is a listing of potential funding sources. As we are all aware, funding opportunities ebb and flow as time passes. We do our best to keep this information current. Please contact the funding organization directly for details on applications & deadline dates. If you are aware that any of the funding sources below have ended or have a recommendation of a funding source we should add, please email us to let us know.
Through donations and sponsorships, BC Hydro makes monetary and in-kind contributions to support cultural, social and economic well-being in British Columbia. BC Hydro provides grants and in-kind support to registered charities and not-for-profit organizations who meet outlined criteria. Applicants may request one-time funding or multi-year agreements up to a maximum of three years. Funding areas include: Environment and sustainability; Youth and education; People and leadership; and Community Initiatives. BC Hydro sponsorships support community activities and programs that form partnerships to strengthen B.C. communities.
For more information: Visit the BC Hydro website
• Canadian Heritage
For an alphabetic list of funding opportunities through Canadian Heritage, visit their website. You can also search for funding opportunities by keyword.
• Community Food Action Initiative
The Community Food Action Initiative (CFAI) is part of ActNowBC and is a health promotion initiative that has a goal of increasing community food security for all British Columbians. Sign up for the CFAI bulletin for announcements on funding opportunities. This e-brief is also available in versions specific to each health region, so if you would prefer to sign up the e-brief that includes local events, please see our webpage on email lists and follow the subscription info listed under your particular health region.
To subscribe to the province-wide e-brief: Send a blank email to communityfoodaction@sscs.ca withSubscribe CFAI E-brief in the subject line.
• Community Gaming Grant(BC Ministry of Housing and Social Development, Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch)
Community gaming grants provide funding to eligible organizations for direct delivery of approved ongoing programs to their communities. Funding to a maximum of $100,000 annually may be approved for any combination of program costs and minor capital project costs. For province-wide programs, funding to a maximum of $250,000 annually may be approved. For guidelines and further informationvisit their website.
• New Horizon for Seniors Program
This funding program is through Human Resources & Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) and is available to non-profits and other organizations. It funds projects that help improve the quality of life for seniors and their communities. For more information or to find out the date for the next call for proposal, visit the HRDC website.
• Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
A list of their funding programs through HRSDC, Service Canada and Labour is available on the HSRDC website.
Private/Corporate Sponsorship
• Canada Safeway Foundation
The Canada Safeway Foundation supports initiatives that feed, protect and nurture children and families. For more information and details on the application process, visit their website.
• Coast Capital Savings
Coast Capital Savings offers a number of different funding opportunities from Community Investment Grants to Community Sponsorship. For details, visit the Coast Capital Savings website.
• Epicure Foundation
The Epicure Foundation™ is particularly committed to promoting food security in Canada through their Community Initiative National Grant Program which supports grassroots organizations working to improve food security across Canada. For more information or to find out the date for the next call for proposal, visit their website.
• Queen Alexandra Foundation for Children
The Queen Alexandra Foundation for Children makes grants to agencies that support the physical, emotional and social well-being of children, youth and families on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. For further information about their grants, visit their website
• RBC Foundation
RBC is dedicated to working with charitable organizations that share their goal to help make a difference in local communities and regions. For more information about their grants & grant process, visit their website.
• Telus
TELUS has a goal of being a leading corporate citizen and to making a positive difference in the communities in which they work and serve. In BC, they have funding opportunities for Vancouver & Victoria. For more information, visit their website (Look at the left hand side for links to the application forms & deadlines).
• United Way
While United Way is best known as an organization providing stable funding for programs and services offered by their Member Agencies, they also invest in projects that focus on prevention and early intervention of issues that lead to social problems. For more information, contact your regional United Way - a listing of all the United Way offices in BC is available here.
• Vancity
Vancity has a number of different funding opportunites for groups working to achieve positive social and environmental change in British Columbia. For details, visit their website
• Vancouver Foundation
The Vancouver Foundation funds the programs in the following fields of interest: Animal Welfare; Arts and Culture; Children, Youth and Families; Education; Environment; Health and Social Development; Health and Medical Research; Youth Homelessness; and Youth Philanthropy. For more information, visit the Vancouver Foundation website.
When you are writing a grant, ensure that you follow the requirements & instructions in the application form. Writing a successful grant proposal is an art. Here are some resources on the Internet with helpful tips on grant-writing. Please note that except for the first site listed, the other sites are American so some of the information may not be relevant to your situation. Remember to use the grant-writing instructions that your potential funder can provide.
This searchable database is available at: http://www.civicinfo.bc.ca/18.asp
The Local Government Grants database is a joint initiative of the Local Government Management Association of BC and CivicInfo BC, with support from the Ministry of Community Services and Union of BC Municipalities.
• Comprehensive Funding Inventory-a list of funders in the area of crime prevention, social development, capacity building and research
This document by National Crime Prevention Centre, BC Region lists a number of funders, however just keep in mind that this document was created in 2006 so some of the contact info may be dated! Take alook at it on the web.
• External Grants and Granting Agencies
This webpage of the City of Vancouver contains a series of links to external granting agencies who fund, or have funded, projects and initiatives with a social planning dimension. This list includes funders who are local, provincial and national.
• Rural BC - Funding Sources
Visit their website http://www.ruralbc.gov.bc.ca/granttool.html for a great grant search tool to connect with a wide range of funding opportunities. You can narrow the search by grant description, name, subject area or the application deadline.
• Sponsor Letter Example
You may also want to write a letter to local businesses, corporations or organizations asking for funding. Here is an example of a sponsor letter that you can use as a template.
• Canadian Directory to Foundations and Corporations
This book is often available in the Reference Section of your public library or some public libraries may subscribe to the online version so you can search on their computers. Ask your local library about this.
• Canadian Subsidy Directory
This book is often available in the Reference Section of your public library or some public libraries may subscribe to the CD version. Ask your local library about this.
Here are some creative programs that you can offer your community kitchen.
• Food Skills For Families
Food Skills for Families is a Canadian Diabetes Association program which offers a free, six-session cooking program that comes to your community kitchen. All your community kitchen has to supply is a properly equipped kitchen and 8 to 12 participants who agree to attend all six sessions. All the other essentials come free of charge: the guidance of a trained facilitator with cooking and nutrition expertise, the food to be cooked, and workbooks for all that include recipes targeted for specific groups. For more information visit our website or contact Food Skills for Families Program at the Canadian Diabetes Association, 604-732-1331 ext 248 or email: Samantha.Bissonnette@diabetes.ca
Sip Smart! BC
Sip Smart! BC is an educational program led by the BC Pediatric Society and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC & Yukon and funded by ActNow BC through the BC Healthy Living Alliance. Sip Smart! BC aims to raise awareness among Grade 4, 5 & 6 school children of the negative health effects associated with the consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks. As well, Sip Smart! BC aims to teach and encourage students to consume healthy beverages. Information about the project can be obtained byvisiting their website or by contacting: Pat Zellinsky, Project Manager, 604-875-3101, patssb@gmail.com
BC Parks and Recreations
BC Parks & Recreation would have grants for activity programs that could supplement what you offer in your community kitchen (e.g. setting up walking clubs etc.). For information on any available grants, visit their website.
