Year after year, Greater Victoria’s non-profit sector works to support the local community across various issue areas, like food security, housing, the arts, and more.
The Victoria Foundation’s annual Community Grants Program aims to strengthen the sector that gives so much to the capital region, to build long-term resilience in our community by supporting eligible local organizations with flexible, general operating funding.
Applications are open once again for grants of up to $30,000 each to support Greater Victoria’s vital registered charities, non-profit organizations, and other qualified donees. Funding is prioritized based on the Victoria Foundation’s Vital Signs issue areas, outreach programs, community discussions, as well as the needs of equity-deserving groups.
This year, registered non-profits and charities are invited to apply for the program's Vital Grant Stream until March 7, with funding to be distributed in July. Applications for Collaboration Grants between multiple organizations now have a separate intake timeline, and more information will be released on this in the Spring.
Trust-based philanthropy is at the core of the Community Grants Program
The granting process is aligned with principles of trust-based philanthropy, which promote equity, center relationships and increase accessibility in the process. The Victoria Foundation also recognizes the historical and systemic barriers to funding for some communities and encourages applications from organizations that are working with equity-deserving groups.
Equity deserving groups are those that actively seek social justice and reparation to disrupt those power imbalances, and those that work to reduce or eliminate barriers to equal access, opportunities, and resources due to disadvantage or discrimination.
As a registered charity or qualified donee, work takes priority. That’s why 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 easy-to-read graphics, and a full list of Frequently Asked Questions.
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 199 organizations in our region
A record number of applications were received and funded as part of the 2023 Community Grants Program, with 199 non-profits receiving over $4.89 million in funding. 154 grants went to organizations serving equity-deserving groups, such as Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, 2SLGBTQIA+, women, children and youth, seniors, persons with disabilities, and newcomers.
Last year, the program saw a 13 per cent increase in funding compared to 2022.
As a broad-based funder, Victoria Foundation staff work to ensure that grants are equitably distributed across all sectors of well-being, from the environment to mental health, homelessness, racial equity and more.
The grants program is just one avenue to help meet rising demand
The 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 it the Victoria Foundation provides over a million dollars a month to support organizations. Founded in 1936, the Victoria Foundation to date has invested over $340 million* in people, projects and non-profits that strengthen communities in BC and throughout Canada.
Applications for the Vital Grants Stream of the Victoria Foundation’s Community Grants Program close Thursday, March 7. Go to victoriafoundation.bc.ca/community-grants-program for more details and to apply today.
*This figure is unaudited for Victoria Foundation’s fiscal year ending December 31, 2023. Audited financial statements for 2023 will be available on the Victoria Foundation website in spring 2024.
