Year after year, Greater Victoria’s non-profit sector works to support our community across various issue areas. The Victoria Foundation’s annual Community Grants Program, opening February 28, aims to strengthen the sector that gives so much to the Capital Region.
Here are four things to know about the program:
What is the Community Grants Program?
The Victoria Foundation’s Community Grants Program supports registered charities and other qualified donees whose work benefits community wellbeing within the Capital Region. Registered charities and non-profits are invited to apply for grant funding between February 28 and April 4, 2023.
The goal of the Community Grants Program is to further strengthen the non-profit sector, building long-term resilience in the community by supporting eligible local organizations with flexible, general operating funding. Funding is prioritized based on the Victoria Foundation’s Vital Signs issue areas as well as for equity-deserving groups.
Trust-Based Philanthropy is at the core of the Community Grants Program
The granting process is aligned with Trust-Based Philanthropy (TBP) principles. These principles promote equity, centre relationships and increase accessibility in the process. In addition, the Victoria Foundation recognizes the historical and systemic barriers to funding for some communities and encourages applications from organizations that are working with equity-deserving groups.
As a registered charity or qualified donee, work takes priority. That’s why Victoria Foundation staff are working to make the application process as accessible as possible. The Community Grants Program page has a list of program guidelines, along with a video to introduce applicants to the process.
If organizations or individuals have barriers to applying online, they can apply orally together with Victoria Foundation staff by setting up an appointment.
Last year, the Community Grants Program supported 191 non-profits in the region
A record number of applications were received and funded as part of the 2022 Community Grants Program, with 191 non-profits receiving over $4.32 million in funding. The program saw a 38% increase in funding compared to 2021.
As a broad-based and place-based funder, Victoria Foundation staff work to ensure an equitable distribution of grants across the region and sub-sectors. This included funding areas from the environment to mental health, homelessness, racial equity and more.
One avenue to strengthen community well-being
The Victoria Foundation’s Community Grants Program is one part of the Victoria Foundation’s overall granting and leadership initiatives. This is part of a long history of strengthening community well-being by investing in people, opportunities and solutions.
The non-profit sector continues to see a rise in demand, and to help meet that the Victoria Foundation provides over a million dollars a month to support organizations. Founded in 1936, the Victoria Foundation to date has invested over $287 million in people, projects and non-profit organizations that strengthen communities in B.C. and throughout Canada.
Applications open for the Victoria Foundation’s Community Grants Program on Tuesday, February 28. Click here for more details.
