Community Partnership Program

Grants to help transform into a clean and fair economy.

Grants

Up to $15,000, except for events which are up to $5,000

For

Groups working on projects to improve climate resilience, Reconciliation and racial equity, and financial health & inclusion

Projects we support.

The Community Partnership Program provides funding of up to $15,000 to support projects that create a cleaner world and leaves no one behind through one of the focus areas below. Funds for this program come from Shared Success, our profit-sharing program where 30% of Vancity’s net profits goes back to members and communities.

Our key focus areas and criteria:

We fund initiatives that help build climate resilience by providing community support and limiting climate-related risks.

Including those looking to help communities adapt to the impacts of climate change that:

  • Aid the transition to meaningful and stable jobs in the green economy
  • Develop climate-related social enterprises that address the impacts of climate change
  • Develop networks or initiatives that increase climate literacy
  • Increase participation of equity-deserving groups and/or those most at-risk in decision-making processes related to climate policy and planning

Or initiatives that reduce exposure to climate-related shocks. Including those looking to:

  • Develop or sustain climate adaptation initiatives that help to reduce the impacts of a changing climate, for equity deserving groups and/or those most at-risk
  • Develop strategies to safeguard against climate-related shocks
  • Create or maintain ongoing support of social climate-safety networks

We fund initiatives that help support Reconciliation, racial equity, and social justice. Including those looking to:

  • Address systemic barriers faced by racialized groups and other equity-deserving groups
  • Build intercultural interaction, trust, and understanding
  • Advance the economic independence and self-determination of Indigenous peoples, including sustainable and stable employment

Or initiatives for Indigenous people and Indigenous communities. Including those looking to:

  • Support the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual wellness of Indigenous people through language revitalization, food sovereignty and other cultural practices

We fund initiatives that help support equity-deserving groups through employment support or financial empowerment.

Including those looking to create safe and stable employment opportunities that:

  • Provide employment education & employment readiness including, but not limited to resume writing, job search, & interview skills
  • Build entrepreneurship skills
  • Support in the transition to meaningful jobs in the green economy

Or initiatives that help increase access to resources that financially empower equity-deserving groups. Including those that provide:

  • Financial education, safe and affordable banking access, financial abuse protection, or digital literacy
  • Social networks for increased equity and financial resilience

Applications.

We’re accepting applications from March 15 to October 31, 2023. Applications are accepted and granting is done on an on-going basis during this time. Granting streams may close early if all funding is allocated before the deadline.

And we’re prioritizing initiatives created by and for:

  • Indigenous, Black, and other racialized groups
  • Newcomers
  • Womxn
  • People living with disabilities
  • 2SLGBTQIA+
  • Other equity deserving groups
  • Organizations who are Vancity members

Eligibility.

To be eligible for the Community Partnership Program, you must be:

  • A not-for-profit society, registered charity, social enterprise, co-operative, labour union, or Indigenous community
  • Located in and serving communities in the Coast Salish and Kwakwaka’wakw territories, which includes: Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Southern Vancouver Island, Squamish, and Alert Bay.

Please note that we do not fund sports, health care, tobacco, gaming, or alcohol-related organization or initiatives.

Let's get started.

How to apply

To begin the application process, you’ll need to create a profile for your organization. Need more information? Check out our Vancity Granting Portal Guide.

Log in to grants portal

Frequently asked questions.

How long does it take to review and receive a decision on an application?

It can take up to 12 weeks once it has been submitted. Please consider this when applying, particularly when selecting your initiative start dates. We recommend that applicants submit grant applications as far in advance as possible from the deadline.

My initiative has already started. Can I apply for a grant?

Yes, no matter what stage you’re at with your initiative, as long as it’s aligned with our grant criteria you’re welcome to apply.

Can I make changes to my application after it has been submitted?

You cannot make changes to your application in the system once it’s been submitted. If you’ve made an error in your application or would like to withdraw the application, please contact us as soon as possible at communitypartnerships@vancity.com.

What should I do if I applied under the wrong granting program?

Please contact us as soon as possible at communitypartnerships@vancity.com.

How are applications evaluated?

Applications are evaluated based on specific eligibility criteria. All decisions regarding eligibility are made by Vancity on a case-by-case basis and solely at its discretion.

If the number of applications exceeds available funding, applications will be prioritized based on program criteria and anticipated benefit of the initiative, or on whether the organization has received funding from this program before.