Victoria Foundation opens applications for 2025 Community Grants Program
Victoria, B.C. – Applications are now being accepted for the Vital Grant Stream of the Victoria Foundation’s 2025 Community Grants Program, which provides flexible, general operating funding for the non-profit and charitable sectors in the capital region.
Each year, the Community Grants Program makes grants of up to $30,000 each available to support organizations whose work creates positive change – from the arts, to housing, to youth and senior services, and beyond. Staying the course from 2024, the goal of this year is to strengthen the long-term resilience of our community by supporting eligible local philanthropic organizations.
“The Community Grants Program helps boost well-being and resiliency by supporting all kinds of initiatives that foster social, cultural, and environmental impact,” explains CEO Sandra Richardson.
“We’re pleased that the program continues to grow as one of the Foundation’s flagship initiatives, as we build our capacity to help address root causes, through our granting, of some of our region’s most complex challenges,” she said.
Granting decisions are prioritized for equity-deserving groups with strong financial need. Funding is informed by the 2024 Vital Signs issue areas, sector reports, and other community input on pressing needs. The Foundation’s grant process emphasizes the principles of trust-based philanthropy, which promote equity, center relationships, and increa
se 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 2025 Community Grants Program has two grant streams, including the Vital Stream and the Collaboration Stream. Starting last year, the grant streams were given separate intake timelines. Applications for the Collaboration Grant Stream will be accepted during the Fall of 2025. More information will be shared this spring.
The 2025 program builds on last year’s, which distributed a record $6.19 million to help 252 organizations, including 179 organizations or projects that significantly benefit equity-deserving groups. This funding included $1.3 million from the Government of British Columbia through the Community Prosperity Fund. The Community Grants Program is one part of the Victoria Foundation’s overall granting strategy.
We welcome applications until March 11th, 2025, 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 $340 million in people, projects, and non-profit organizations that strengthen communities in BC and throughout Canada.
Media Contact:
Adam van der Zwan, Senior Communications Officer
E: avanderzwan@victoriafoundation.bc.ca
P. 250-381-5532