About us
We believe the best people to effect change in a community are the ones who live within it — and when we can make money less of an issue, it allows so many unique ideas to shine.
The change we want to see
Since 1999, we’ve seen small amounts of money make a visible difference in communities across B.C. We see and feel the ripple effect of grants in the local book exchanges, neighbourhood monuments and community gardens people have built.
We see it on the smiling faces of neighbours, as they wave to each other at a gathering. Each smile tells the story of a safer, more inclusive and connected community. Though our grants are small, the results are powerful. Each project creates new relationships and a better tomorrow.
“I feel safer and less isolated in my community knowing that there are people a few blocks from me that care about the safety and togetherness of my community as much as I do”
Indigenous Territorial Acknowledgement
In the spirit of right relations, the Neighbourhood Small Grants program and its partners acknowledge that we live, work, and play in the unceded and traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples — xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
We recognize that our growing program takes place across multiple Indigenous lands and traditional territories within British Columbia. Acknowledging territory shows recognition of and respect for Indigenous people – both past and present. Recognition and respect are essential elements of establishing healthy, reciprocal relations which are the key to right relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.
A program by Vancouver Foundation
Vancouver Foundation is a community foundation dedicated to creating healthy, vibrant and livable communities across B.C. Together, with our donors, we have distributed more than $1.5 billion to charities since 1943. We exist to make meaningful and lasting improvements to communities in B.C.
Neighbourhood Small Grants was created by Vancouver Foundation through local partnerships to build community and strengthen connections right where people live.
Our four beliefs
Our grants are given with trust, autonomy and support to give people a chance to see what they’re capable of and learn new skills along the way.
The Neighbourhood Small Grants program runs on the basis of four beliefs. First, small ideas are beautiful ideas. Then, we believe everyone has a gift to offer to those around them. Third, the project you create is yours — you choose how you want it to look and feel. And finally, we hope that through the Neighbourhood Small Grants program, you will find your chosen family.
Find your community
Neighbourhood Small Grants is offered across B.C. We’ve put it all into a map where you can easily search for which community you belong to, using your postal code.
View all communities