Accessing SCF Grants

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The Squamish Community Foundation was established to create a legacy of giving in our community. We’re entrusted with managing an ever-growing portfolio of donations, which are contributed from both individual and corporate donors.

We re-invest in Squamish through grant and fund programs that support important community initiatives. In fact, we have distributed more than $600,000 since 2003.

Do you have an initiative you want to see funded? Find everything you need to know about SCF community grants and funds right here.

Community Prosperity Fund

Vancouver Foundation is proud to be working in partnership with the Government of B.C. , Community Foundations of Canada  and over 50 local community foundations to deliver the Community Prosperity Fund —$25 million investment from the Government of B.C. that advances poverty reduction and social inclusion. The Community Prosperity Fund will provide up to three years of funding for the ongoing work of organizations across B.C. with funding decisions made by local community foundations.

Eligibility

Eligible organizations must meet the following criteria:

  • You support communities in British Columbia;
  • You are a charity, a non-profit organization, or an Indigenous-serving organization. See page 15 of the Application Guide  for definitions.
  • You have not received funding from the Lighthouse Organizations Fund* or Recovery & Resiliency Fund or received a 2023 LEVEL BIPOC Grant.
    • *Organizations who applied to Lighthouse Organizations Fund can also apply to the Community Prosperity Fund (CPF) as applications are still under review. If your organization receives a grant from the Lighthouse Organizations Fund, our team will withdraw your CPF application to provide an equitable opportunity for other organizations to access funding.

We encourage interested applicants to review pages 8 through 11 of the Application Guide  to understand the eligible activities and expenses funded through the Community Prosperity Fund.

Applications are now closed as of June 24th 2024.

Annual Grants

Grants are an investment in people, ideas and community. Funded by the income earned from our endowment funds, the Squamish Community Foundation awards grants to eligible organizations focused on causes that improve the lives and wellbeing of Squamish residents.

What Do We Fund?

Any registered charitable organization may apply for an Annual Grant. Grants are awarded to projects that benefit the people of the District of Squamish with a focus on the following categories: Environmental Sustainability, Health and Social Development/Housing, Music and Performing Arts, Recreation and Sports, Youth Programming, General Fund for Urgent and Current Community Needs.

Projects must also comply with the following criteria in order to qualify:

  • Alignment with one of the following grant categories: Environmental Sustainability, Health and Social Development/Housing, Music and Performing Arts, Recreation and Sports, Youth Programming or General Fund for Urgent and Current Community Needs. These grant categories align directly with our endowment funds and their respective available granting amounts. You may choose one category and your budget request should not exceed available funding in that category. See question 1 in the application for individual category funding amounts available. NOTE: In 2024, the total amount of funding available for all grant categories is $23,875. Each year we receive requests for more funding than we have available. We highly recommend that you consider your grant request and budget in alignment with the funds available in the respective categories.
  • Benefit the people of the District of Squamish. Priority will be given to applicants who specifically address a community issue outlined in the 2023 Vital Signs report.
  • Organizations located outside of Squamish will only be eligible if their project operates in Squamish and with the involvement of local partners.
  • Be put forward by an organization with a CRA charitable registration number (i.e. BN ____ RR0001).
  • Have a definite purpose and be completed in a specific period of time.
  • Capital projects will be considered if there is a demonstrated need.
  • Funds must be used by April 30th of the year following receipt of the grant, and a written final report is required by May 1st, reviewing how the funds were utilized and whether all monies received were spent. Grantees must submit their final reports from previous years in order to be eligible for granting in following years.

What Don’t We Fund?

Squamish Community Foundation does not provide funding for certain types of projects. Grants are NOT:

  • Awarded to retire debt or fund projects already completed.
  • Awarded to fund direct faith-based or political activities.
  • Made to support fundraising, advertising, promotional activities or commercial events.
  • Made to establish or add to endowed funds.
  • Available to annual fund drives for sustaining support.
  • Made to be used towards operating or capital deficits.

How are Recipients Determined?

All applications are reviewed by an independent Grant Committee, which is comprised of Squamish community members and chaired by one or more SCF board members. The committee recommends grant distribution amounts and recipient organizations to the SCF Board of Directors who approve the final Annual Grants recipients.

2024 Grant Recipients

In 2024, the Squamish Community Foundation awarded over $29,035.00 in funding to registered charities and non-profit organizations running programs in Squamish.

Grant Recipients in 2024 include:

Snichim Foundation (Peernet Association of BC) $2,500.00
Sea to Sky BC SPCA $2,000.00
Squamish Helping Hands Society $3,000.00
Whistler Adaptive Sports Program Society $2,000.00
Tantalus Wellspring Society $2,000.00
PearlSpace Support Services Society $3,300.00
Sea to Sky Invasive Species Council $1,900.00
International Heritage Cultural Centre Society $1,000.00
Squamish Public Library $1,435.00
Squamish Food Bank Society $1,500.00
Squamish Volunteer Centre Society $2,000.00
OurSquamish Placemaking Society $1,500.00
BC Cancer Foundation $1,470
Arthritis Society BC and Yukon Division $1,470
Squamish Hospital Foundation $1,960

Applications are now closed as of May 24th 2024. Please check back in the Spring of 2025.

FAQ

Neighbourhood Small Grants

From neighbourhood block parties to community gardens and cultural events, there are many ways to build a thriving community. The Neighbourhood Small Grants program is based on a simple, but powerful idea—that everyone is a valuable member of the community and that we all have something to share.

The Squamish Community Foundation launched the Neighbourhood Small Grants program in 2017, with the help of the Vancouver Foundation (which pioneered the program). Since then, these grants have funded almost 200 activities that nurture our community.

Call for Donations: While the grant program has been highly successful, the pilot funding has come to an end. The SCF is now seeking support from local donors to help us continue this funding for years to come. Learn more about how you can help.

Who qualifies?

This Neighbourhood Small Grants program is open to groups or individuals (of any age), who are not currently a registered charity. We give grants from $50 to $500 to support projects that bring people together, share skills and knowledge, build a sense of belonging and responsibility, and respect and celebrate diversity.
Have a great idea to bring people together in your neighbourhood? Apply for a grant and bring your idea to life!

Applications are now closed as of April 12th 2024. Please check back in early Spring 2025.

Questions? Email Doug Hackett, NSG Coordinator: nsg@squamishfoundation.com.

FAQNSG YEARBOOK 2023NSG YEARBOOK 2022NSG YEARBOOK 2021

Community Enhancement Grants

SCF has entered into a 4-year agreement with the District of Squamish to manage and distribute the Community Enhancement Grants. Community Grants support vulnerable citizens, youth, reconciliation, equity and diversity, social wellbeing, and connectedness in our community. Community Enhancement Grants are funded by the District of Squamish. Read more about the grants and District partnership here.

Who qualifies?

This grant is specifically geared towards projects that seek to enhance the community of Squamish through programming that aligns with the overarching goals of the District of Squamish’s Official Community Plan. Funds will be awarded to non-profit or charitable organizations that propose to enhance the lives of local citizens through the following:

  • Decolonization and reconciliation initiatives
  • Intergenerational programming
  • Enhancement of neighbourhood connectivity
  • Environmental stewardship, sustainability and/or climate action
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programming
  • Support of physical health, mental health and/or social wellbeing
  • Youth-led initiatives
  • Programming for social services that assist Squamish’s vulnerable populations
  • Recreation programming

For projects with an arts and/or culture focus, please refer to the Arts & Culture Grant provided by the Squamish Arts Council.

Applications are now closed as of Nov 13th 2023. Please check back in Fall 2024.

2023 Final Reports are due January 31st, 2024.

APPLICANT GUIDEFAQ

Please note that you can only receive either the Squamish Arts Council’s Arts and Culture Grant OR the Squamish Community Foundation’s Community Enhancement Grant. If you believe that your project could feasibly apply to both, please email info@squamishartscouncil.com or info@squamishfoundation.com to determine which grant you should apply to.

Community Services Recovery Fund

The Community Services Recovery Fund is a $400 million investment from the Government of Canada to support charities and non-profits as they focus on how to adapt their organizations for pandemic recovery.

The Squamish Community Foundation is working along side community foundations from across Canada and in collaboration with the Canadian Red Cross, United Way and Community Foundations of Canada to distribute funding. This fund supports Community Service Organizations including non-profit organizations, Indigenous Governing Bodies and Registered Charities located in Canada.

Project Focus Area in Squamish

The Squamish Community Foundation is administering $155,000 to local charities and non-profit organizations under the Project Focus Area: Investing in Systems and Processes.

This funding supports one-time projects that invest in the systems and processes involved in creating the internal workings of an organization’s overall structure. To have a local application assessed and funded locally, this is the Project Focus Area a Squamish organization should apply to. Applications for the other Project Focus Areas will be assessed by national organizations along with all other applications from across the country.

Examples of projects primarily focused on Systems and Processes may include: Investment in contact management systems; Implementation of a new communications plan; Enhancement of a new accounting system; Development, implementation, or adaptation of a new fundraising strategy; A governance review through the lens of organizational resilience.

For more information contact kclarke@squamishfoundation.com or 604-848-8683.

Applications are now closed.

Grant Support - Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to complete a final report?

Yes, for both Annual Grants and Community Enhancement Grants. In order for the SCF to responsibly manage our funds and donor agreements, we require verification of your project and how the grant funds have been applied in accordance with your application. See the grant sections above for more details. Organizations who do not submit their final report will not be eligible for future grants.

Is there a funding hold-back?

No, we provide all funds upfront.

How do I complete my final report?

Please refer to the grant sections above (Annual Grants and Community Enhancement Grants) to view and download the final report based on which grant you received. For assistance in completing your report, please contact info@squamishfoundation.com.

Do I have to submit a progress report?

No, SCF only requires a final report following completion of the project, and before applying for any future grants. However, we are happy to hear about and celebrate the milestones you wish to share with us.

What if there are changes to my project?

If there are significant project changes which are beyond the scope of your initial application, please contact SCF directly at info@squamishfoundation.com.

Will my organization be listed on the SCF website?

We endeavour to share the work of the SCF and the projects we support both on our website and through other communication channels (e.g. social media). If you would prefer not to be listed or featured, please contact us directly.