Spark Funds

2024 Spark Funds Submission Guidelines

Please view the Spark Funds submission guidelines below. You can download a PDF version of the guidelines here. 

• Overview

  The Victoria Foundation believes in the power of conversations to build relationships that lead to solutions. Our 2024 Vital Conversation on June 26 was an opportunity to dig deeper into key findings from the 2023 Vital Signs report by asking “How can we work together across sectors to support young people in their 20s and 30s, including newcomers, who want to stay in our region to thrive and make this a long-term home?”

  This topic was also informed by last year’s Vital Conversation focused on the theme Affordability for All and builds on a panel at the South Island Prosperity Partnership’s 2024 Rising Economy Conference titled Is Victoria on the Rise? To gather further information for the Vital Conversation, the Foundation also hosted three focus groups this spring with newcomers and university students to better understand the challenges and solutions.

  This year’s Vital Conversation, in partnership with Coast Capital, was hosted at the University of Victoria. There, 80 people came together across various sectors to explore local solutions.

  Ideas and approaches for potential solutions became apparent though small group conversations and short presentations featuring examples of innovative local work to support both economic success and belonging for young people in their 20s and 30s.

  These Vital Conversations are an important start to developing solutions, but it takes more than conversation to create lasting change.

  For this reason, the Victoria Foundation and Coast Capital are providing $80,000 in funding through Spark Funds as part of the 2024 Vital Conversation. Thank you to Coast Capital for their contribution and partnership for the Spark Funds, Vital Conversation, and Vital Signs.

  Spark Funds are intended to support cross sector partnerships and collaborations that strengthen belonging, connection and an inclusive, affordable local economy where young people thrive.

  Applications will be accepted through Survey Monkey starting on Thursday, July 4 and will close on Thursday, July 18 at 4:00 pm. Please review the Spark Funds Application Process for more information.

  Note that while the Vital Conversation informs the focus of this Spark Funds call, participation in that event is not required to be eligible for funding.

• Application Process

  Spark Funds are intended to support cross sector partnerships and collaborations towards the development of innovative solutions. As such, applications for Spark Funds should meet the following requirements:

  Requirements

  • Application is a result of a partnership/collaboration between at least two organizations and preferably across sectors. (Note that the main applicant partner must be a registered charity or qualified donee.)
  • The potential solution aims to be a “multi-solve” in that it provides solutions to both belonging and affordability.
  • Funds will be used for the exploration and development of medium- or longer-term solutions as identified in the Affordability Framework shared at the Vital Conversation (as opposed to urgent response).
  • Alignment with the identified solution approaches (below) that were developed during the Vital Conversation to support both economic success and belonging for young people in their 20s and 30s so they can thrive and make the Capital Region their long-term home.
  • Application is a result of a partnership/collaboration between at least two organizations and preferably across sectors. (Note that the main applicant partner must be a registered charity or qualified donee.)

  Identified solution approaches from Vital Conversation

  • Strategies and opportunities for affordable and accessible housing that is physically designed and built to encourage engagement, community, and intergenerational living, rather than isolation, so people feel like they belong in the homes they live in. Examples include cooperative housing, housing with childcare and/or community gardens.
  • Shared community spaces (including expanding on existing cultural and community associations) that are safe, culturally resonant and personally meaningful and connect younger people to others with shared interests.
  • Opportunities for community ownership and community wealth building, including keeping assets in the community for the benefit of all. This includes strengthening co-ops and other models of community ownership. Activities can include access to education, expertise, legal and other resources to navigate the processes around securing community assets.
  • Community leadership development for people in their 20s and 30s, including opportunities for civic engagement.
  • Opportunities for meaningful employment and increased income including affordable and/or transferable credentialing and entrepreneurship with an eye to future economic prosperity and trends. This can include supportive policies, programs, skill recognition, upskilling, and incentives for younger people.
  • Creating affordable access to those aspects of life that create a sense of belonging, including culturally resonant food and cooking, arts activities, and sports.
  • Education, awareness building, and storytelling that supports affordability and sense of belonging for people in their 20s and 30s. For example: correcting misconceptions about rental housing, shared intergenerational ownership models, and access to relevant expertise to navigate systems.

  A few examples of the types of activities that Spark Funds can support include, but are not limited to:

  • convening meetings to explore and develop new partnerships to explore and develop opportunities to support young people in their 20s and 30s, including newcomers, who want to stay in our region to thrive and make this a long-term home.
  • exploring a proposed solution, including research, relevant community engagement, and feasibility studies.
  • developing education or programing as part of a strategy to create affordability and belonging that aligns with the approaches identified in the Vital Conversation.
  • testing a concept and/or potential solution as a pilot.
  • mapping local assets and resources.
• Eligibility to Apply

  To be eligible for funding, the collaborative partnerships must include at least one organization that is a registered charity or other qualified donee whose offices are based in the Capital Region; and all collaborating partners should be currently working within the Capital Region.

  A registered charity/qualified donee can be the lead applicant on only one application; however, they can be a supporting partner on other registered charity/qualified donee applications.

  You can apply for Spark Funds even if you have a current grant with the Victoria Foundation.

  This is an open invitation to apply. The June 26 Vital Conversation informs the criteria for this application, but participation in that event is not required to be eligible for funding.

• How to Apply

  Complete a short 6-question application on Survey Monkey and submit it no later than 4:00 pm on Thursday July 18, 2024.

  The Spark Funds call is open for 2 weeks. Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis as they are received until the full $80,000 is allocated.

  Applicants may request funding of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000. A budget is not required as part of this application.

  The application submission is through Survey Monkey. You cannot start an application and return to it later, meaning the application must be started and submitted in one session.

• Application Questions

  The application is made up of the six main questions below. Since Spark Funds are meant to support ideas, actions, and partnerships in the early stages of development, we do not require extensive details.

  1. List the name of the organization submitting this application (must be a registered charity or qualified donee). Include the organization’s address, website, and CRA number if applicable. Include the name of the primary contact and their contact information.
  2. Please list the partner/collaborating organizations in this initiative and briefly describe the role of each. Include the main contact’s name and their contact information for each.
  3. Describe the area of focus you want to explore with Spark Funds as it relates to the Vital Conversation theme of developing solutions to encourage people in their 20’s to 30’s to stay and thrive in the region
  4. Please describe the goal you wish to achieve with Spark Funds. (i.e. develop a partnership, exploratory conversation around a topic or potential partnership, gather information to make informed steps forward etc.)
  5. Please briefly describe the activities you are planning to undertake towards that goal including any potential engagement with people in their 20’s and 30’s living in the region. We understand that your idea is in development and may not be detailed or fleshed out yet.
  6. Please identify the amount you are seeking: $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000

  If you need further information or support, please contact Sushil Saini, Manager Strategic Initiatives at grants@victoriafoundation.bc.ca. If needed, you can request a phone or virtual meeting.

• Application Assessment Process

  Applications will be reviewed by Victoria Foundation Strategic Initiatives staff. This may include a conversation with applicants to learn more about their plans.

  Applications are due no later than 4pm on Thursday July 18, 2023; however, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as they are received. Successful applicants will be approved in order of submission until the $80,000 is allocated in full.

• Criteria for Assessment

  Ensure your responses to the application questions address these criteria:

  • Alignment with identified solution approaches developed during the Vital Conversation.
  • Activities are a partnership or collaboration among at least two organizations, preferably across sectors, ie: non-profit, social enterprise, industry organization, local government.
  • Pursuit of potential solutions that address affordability and belonging; a multi-solve.
  • Suitability and strength of partners in their respective roles identified in the application.
  • The potential impact should the idea or action applicants plan to explore is successful.
• Notification of Decision

  Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as they are submitted. Depending on when the application is submitted, notification will be sent either the week of July 29 or the week of August 26, 2024. Funds will be sent within 2 weeks of notification.

• 2024 Spark Funds Timeline

  Announce Spark Funds at Vital Conversation	Wednesday, June 26
  Open Spark Funds Call for Applications	Thursday, July 4
  Application Submission Deadline	Thursday, July 18 by 4:00 pm
  Rolling staff review	Wednesday, July 4 – Monday, July 29
  Board approval	July 24 and/or August 26
  Notification	July 29 or week of August 26
  Funds distribution	Within two weeks of notification and acceptance