Victoria Foundation opens applications for 2024 Community Grants Program
Applications are now being accepted for the Vital Grant Stream of the Victoria Foundation’s 2024 Community Grants Program, which provides funding for the non-profit sector in the Capital Region.
Each year, the Community Grants Program makes grants of up to $30,000 each available to support organizations whose work benefits community wellbeing in our local region. Staying the course from 2023, the goal of this year’s program is to strengthen the non-profit sector and long-term resilience of our community by supporting eligible local organizations with flexible, general operating funding.
“From environmental initiatives to arts and culture, to housing, youth and senior services, and beyond, the Community Grants Program helps boost wellbeing and resiliency in the capital region by providing funding to all kinds of initiatives that foster social, cultural and environmental change,” explained CEO Sandra Richardson.
The Victoria Foundation is a broad-based funder that provides support across the non-profit sector. Funding is prioritized to equity-deserving groups and is informed by 2023 Vital Signs issue areas, sector reports and other community input on pressing needs.
The Foundation’s grant process is aligned with principles of trust-based philanthropy, which promote equity, center relationships, and increase accessibility. The Foundation recognizes the historical and systemic barriers to funding for some communities and encourages applications from organizations that are working with equity-deserving groups.
The 2024 Community Grants Program has two grant streams, including the Vital Stream and the Collaboration Stream. Starting this year, the grant streams will have separate intake timelines. Applications for the Collaboration Grant Stream will now be accepted during the Fall of 2024. More information will be shared this spring.
The 2024 Community Grants Program builds on last year’s, which distributed over $4.89 million to help 199 organizations, including 154 organizations or projects that significantly benefit equity-deserving groups. The program is one part of the Victoria Foundation’s overall granting strategy. In 2023, the Victoria Foundation granted over $27 million to organizations.
We welcome applications until March 7th, 2024, and funding will be distributed in July. Please visit our website for guidelines, resources, and to apply.
About the Victoria Foundation
Established in 1936, the Victoria Foundation is Canada’s second oldest community foundation and the sixth largest of over 200 nation-wide. The Victoria Foundation manages charitable gifts from donors whose generosity allows them to create permanent, income-earning funds. The proceeds from these funds are then distributed as grants for charitable or educational purposes. To date, the Victoria Foundation has invested over $313 million in people, projects, and non-profit organizations that strengthen communities in BC and throughout Canada.
Media Contact: Adam van der Zwan, Communications and Media Relations Specialist E: avanderzwan@victoriafoundation.bc.ca P. 250-381-5532