Neighbourhood Small Grants

Grants are for up to $500 and can cover costs for things such as honorariums for Indigenous or other cultural elders; Facilitators, speakers, artists, coaches and cultural workers; Technicians; Permits; Promotions; Supplies; Decorations; Food & non-alcoholic beverages, and more. 

If you are doing a basic block party, the recommended budget is up to $250. Go beyond a basic block party by doing multiple days, adding skills sharing or a special event such as Emergency Preparedness.

The 2024 program is open until funds are dispersed. The grants committee will next meet mid-September. Apply by Sep 13.

APPLY HERE>>

Here are some of the criteria the committee looks for:

1. Does the project build connections or share skills
2. Is the project free to attend
3. Is the applicant a West Vancouver or Lions Bay resident (not a business or organization)
4. Are the honorarium and costs appropriate 
5. Is it open to all.
6. The event(s) should occur after you are notified about the grant. Therefore events should occur between June 1 – Dec 31.

Eligibility and FAQ

Eligibility and FAQ for Youth

Need some ideas? 

Here are some projects we’ve heard of and other ideas that came out of our brainstorm session. Read more>>

Read about past grant projects, in our Grant Stories section, to get ideas. 

Have unanswered questions or need help with developing your project? Please contact us.

Be sure your project is about building community. Ask yourself, how am I bringing people together? Will my event help build community connections?

You can find out more about the program here. 

• Neighbours must apply for and run their projects within the communities they live in. Find your NSG Community here. (Example: If you live in West Vancouver, apply for your grant within West Vancouver, and run your project in West Vancouver.
• As proof of completion, you must submit photos and stories/report. You may also be asked for receipts and video.
• Once you lead your project you will be invited to an NSG Community Celebration event (in-person) organized by your Community Coordinator. You may be asked to share your project story at the event.
• If your project was funded in the past, please describe why this project is needed again. How will this year’s project expand, change, add to or be different from previous years?

The Neighbour Grants Committee is made up of community volunteers who are passionate about building connection and belonging in West Vancouver. They help raise awareness about the Neighbour Grants Program, make grant decisions, and mentor grant recipients. 

• Arzoo Babul
• Dorsa Khormali
• Jamshid Hashimi
• Karen Hoffman
• Kim Wong
• Lindy Pfeil
• Winston Leger

Interested in joining the committee?  Email info@westvanfoundation.ca 

• Everyone has gifts: Anyone can offer their ideas, talents, skills, experiences and contacts to build a strong community
• Small is powerful: Small amounts of money have a potential to bring powerful changes in community in forms of new relationships, increased self-confidence, leadership development, stronger sense of place and creation of local traditions
• Local decisions are best: Community members from diverse backgrounds and experiences get an opportunity to make decisions on who should get the grants in their community
• Where we live matters: the grants enable anyone to team up with their neighbour and develop a project that they can carry out within an area of where they live and based on what they think works best in their community 
• We learn together: There is no single right way to build community so anyone involved in the program will have many opportunities to learn, share, reflect, exchange and capture knowledge, skills and information that they can use within and beyond the program
• Everyone is invited: The program is accessible and inclusive to anyone living in an NSG area no matter their age, ethnicity, income, cultural background, gender, ability and sexual orientation. ‘Everyone’ refers to your ‘community’ which may be your neighbourhood, language, age (eg. teens, seniors), etc.