The Neighbourhood Small Grant (NSG) program was started in 1999 as a way to combat loneliness and social isolation, by making communities stronger, safer and more welcoming. By offering a small grant (up to $500), to residents, we enable the applicant to bring their project to life, often in a more impactful way or with people in the community they may not have previously been familiar with. The NSG kickstarts people’s imagination and often makes neighbours more willing to participate. Traditional projects have included concepts such as park cleanups, emergency preparedness meetings, community gardens and enhanced block parties.
Please note: projects must be free to attend, accessible and welcoming to all. Registered organizations and businesses are not eligible – these grants are specifically for individuals.
For West Van, sQUAMISH NATION & LIONS BAY Residents of any age, experience, or background.
Ideas
Looking for ideas for your own project?
Check out our ideas page or learn more about past projects.
Apply
The program is now open. The volunteer committee reviews applications monthly.
Resources
Still have questions, want more information on this program or looking for resources for your upcoming NSG project?
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.
You can apply now. The Committee will meet on May 18th and you will be notified shortly after that.
Apply by May 15th.
Here are some of the criteria the committee looks for:
- Does the project build connections or share skills
- Is the project free to attend
- Is the applicant a West Vancouver or Lions Bay resident (not a business or organization)
- Are the honorarium and costs appropriate
- Is it open to all.
- The event(s) should occur after you are notified about the grant. Therefore events should occur between June 1 – Dec 31.
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.
Project Leaders can now start applying for grants for in person gathering.
Be sure your project is about building community. Ask yourself, how am I bringing people together?
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
- Kim Wong
- Lindy Pfeil
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.
We are proud to partner with the Vancouver Foundation and the Howard Martin Memorial Fund to fund and deliver Neighbourhood Small Grants in West Vancouver.
On April 19th we held an informational webinar. You can read the presentation here>>
RESOURCES
- Tool Kit with tips for project leaders
- More information on the Neighbourhood Small Grants
- West Vancouver Memorial Library's Honouring Reconciliation resources
- Reconciliation Canada's Reconciliation Toolkit
- Resilient Streets Toolkit
- 2020 Neighbourhood Small Grant Annual Report
- 2019 Neighbourhood Small Grant Annual Report
- NSG Project Leader Facebook Group
- Need our logo or script for your event
- Lighter Living for Neighbourhoods Guide
NEIGHBOUR GRANTS STORIES
Neighbour Grants Project Leaders share their inspiring stories about people in West Vancouver gathering, sharing, celebrating, and connecting.
