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Eligibility
1. What kind of projects are accepted by the Youth Neighbourhood Small Grants program?
Projects that bring neighbours together through in person gatherings (that follow Public Health Guidelines), and/or use online platforms such as ZOOM, FaceTime, Skype, etc. are eligible
Project ideas to get you started:
- Share skill: Teach others how to craft, build or speak a new language. We all have something to offer.
Idea: Teach a group how to workout at a local gym - Share meaning: Invite people to celebrate or heal together.
Idea: LGBTQIA2S+ Teen Meet-ups - Share resources: Make someone’s day by delivering care packages or helping them get something they need.
Idea: Garden kit care packages for seniors
2. What can I use the grant money for?
You can ask for up to $500 for any Neighbourhood Small Grant program.
You can use the grant to offset any expenses that were needed for the project. This includes supplies, transportation, or services.
You may ask for up to $350 to provide honorariums to anyone who contributes skills or knowledge to your project—including yourself.
For example, if you plan to host an online cooking class and will be teaching it yourself, you may pay yourself an honorarium. If you are inviting a guest to teach it, you may pay them the honorarium instead. You can also use the grant to purchase the ingredients needed for the class as well as a premium subscription with a platform like Zoom to host many attendees in your class.
You may not fundraise for other projects and/or organizations. However, we encourage you to seek donations or gifts in kind from local businesses to help support your project.
Applications are reviewed by volunteer Neighbourhood Grants Committees, and final funding allocations will be awarded upon the discretion of each local committee. For more information contact your Community Coordinator.
3. Who can apply for a Youth Neighbourhood Small Grant?
Open to all youth (ages 12-24) living in Metro Vancouver (Burnaby, Langley, New Westminster, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Richmond, Surrey/White Rock, Vancouver).
Neighbours must apply for and run their projects within the communities they live in. Find your NSG Community on our website here. (Example: If you live in Richmond, apply for your grant within Richmond, and run your project in Richmond) NOTE: Virtual projects may have a reach beyond the community you live in.
Registered organizations, non-profits and businesses are not eligible to apply for Y-NSG.
4. Where can my project take place?
Your project can take place either in person or online. All in-person events should follow your local public health guidelines.
5. What information do you need to know about the Neighbourhood Small Grants?
Y-NSG projects must be free to all participants. We encourage applications for projects that are accessible and inclusive to everyone (Example: For in person gatherings, find a space that is accessible and safe for everyone)
We encourage applicants to seek donations or in-kind-gifts (Example: food, craft supplies, etc.) from local businesses to help support your project. However, you may not fundraise on behalf of other projects and/or organizations.
You can apply for and receive two Y-NSG grants in 2022. As soon as you complete your first project and upon the submission of your project story to your community NSG Coordinator, you can reapply for another grant
Projects will be implemented after the grant decision is made, not before. Projects will not be supported retroactively
Use Y-NSG grant money funded in:
- Spring 2022 by November 30, 2022
- Fall 2022 by March 15, 2023
6. What do you need to think about when you are estimating your project costs?
Grant requests for projects are up to $500. If you need help with your estimating your application budget/costs, contact your Community NSG Coordinator.
Grant money may be used to pay people or yourself honorariums to help with your project. An honorarium is a small fee paid to someone for their in-kind skills, gifts or knowledge contributions for the success of the project. Example: A local artist (or yourself) shares their skills and talents with their neighbours.
Total honorarium amount listed in the budget, may not be more than $350 per project. The approved honorarium amount is at the discretion of the Neighbourhood Grants Committee (NGC) that reviews grant applications.
You are responsible for keeping track of your expenses for all project costs, and ensure your budget balances. To learn more about expense tracking contact your Community NSG Coordinator.
7. What happens after you apply for your Y-NSG project?
You will receive an email confirmation from the NSG granting system.
Your application will be reviewed by a volunteer Youth-Neighbourhood Grants Committee, and they or the NSG Coordinator will be in touch with any questions.
8. What do you do after you receive the grant money?
You will receive information from your NSG Coordinator about when and how you will receive your grant. You will receive your grant payment by cheque or direct bank deposit.
You will be invited to participate in an NSG Orientation for all Project Leaders.
All unused funds will be returned to your community NSG Coordinator.
To help future applicants, and inspire others to do similar projects, please share and help tell your NSG story with photos, videos and by writing a short story of your project. Ways to share:
Once you lead your project, you will be invited to an NSG Community Celebration event (in person or online) organized by your Community Coordinator. You may be asked to share your project story at the event.
FAQs – Application Process
1. After I apply, when will I receive my grant?
Depending on your NSG Community, you will hear from the Neighbourhood Grants Committee volunteers and Coordinator within 3 weeks or after applications close. To confirm when you’ll hear, check-out our Communities Pages.
2. Can I apply for more than one project at a time?
No. You may apply for one Youth Neighbourhood Small Grant program at a time. You may apply for another project once you complete your project and submit your project story to your local coordinator.
3. Can my business or non-profit apply for a Neighbourhood Small Grant?
No. Non-profits, businesses, or any other types of registered organizations are not eligible for a Youth Neighbourhood Small Grant.
4. I live in an area that belongs to two communities. Which community should I apply to?
You are one of the lucky few people who can choose which community they want to apply to — but you must choose. You will only be able to apply in one community.
FAQs – Who We Are
1. Who decides how projects are funded?
A committee of volunteers who also live in your community decide which applications will get funding and distributes the funds between those projects. They are called the Youth Neighbourhood Grant Committee.
2. What is Vancouver Foundation and their involvement with Neighbourhood Small Grants?
Vancouver Foundation is a community foundation that started the Neighbourhood Small Grants program in 1999. Vancouver Foundation partners with local community organizations including neighbourhood houses, community centres as well as other community foundations to deliver the program.
3. Are you a government program?
We are not a government program. In some NSG communities, a local partner may be a municipality or a government agency.
Vancouver Foundation is funded by private donors, just like most foundations and charities are.