Community Enrichment Grants and the Housing & Homelessness Supports Grants open Aug 18 – Sept 18 2025.
COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT GRANTS SUPPORT VITAL INITIATIVES THAT CONTRIBUTE TO OVERALL COMMUNITY WELLBEING.
This annual grant stream supports the programs, services, and initiatives of eligible Comox Valley non-profit organizations. Community-informed focus areas are set every two years to prioritize funding toward areas of considerable need in the Comox Valley.
What are the funding priorities for these grants?
Applications that are directly linked to the following priorities will be accepted through the Community Enrichment Grants:
Mental Health & Connection
- Activities and organizations that foster mental health, connection and social well-being within our community.
Food Security & Food Systems
- Activities and organizations that promote reliable access to sufficient affordable, nutritious food.
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
- Activities and organizations that aim to create more equitable environments by addressing disparities and/or promoting diversity that improve participation in society, particularly for equity deserving populations and communities.
Equity deserving populations and communities include groups who identify barriers to equal access, opportunities and resources due to disadvantage and discrimination. This could include attitudinal, historic, social and environmental barriers based on age, ethnicity, disability, economic status, Indigeneity, gender identity and gender expression, nationality, race, sexual orientation, etc.
How do I apply for a grant?
Eligible organizations can submit applications online through the Grants Portal by clicking the white button below from Monday, August 18 to Thursday, September 18, 2025 at 5pm. Check out our Applicant Guide below for all the information you need to apply.
2025 Applicant Guide
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible organizations meet the following criteria:
- Your organization and its programs or services directly impact the Comox Valley as defined by the geographic boundaries of School District 71. Organizations located outside the Comox Valley must clearly demonstrate how funds benefit and will primarily be used within the Comox Valley.
- Your organization is one of the following:
- Registered charity as defined by Canada Revenue Agency,
- First Nation, municipality, or public body performing a function of government in Canada,
- Registered non-profit society as defined by the Societies Act of British Columbia working in partnership with a registered charity as a fiscal sponsor,
- And, if your organization is a past Community Foundation grant recipient, you have completed final reports from all previous grants (2023 and prior). If your organization is a current grant recipient, final reports for your current (2024) grant are due by December 2025.
If you have questions about eligibility, please contact us to learn more.
Unsure of what type of organization you are?
Here are some databases that may help you search your organization and confirm your organization type:
For registered charities:
For First Nations, municipalities, or public bodies performing a function of government:
For non-profit societies in BC:
What types of expenses are eligible for funding?
Eligible expenses include, but are not limited to:
- General operating costs
- Staff wages
- Program costs
- New and existing programs and services
- Materials and supplies
- Equipment
If you are unsure if your expenses are eligible, please contact us.
What is a general operating request?
General operating requests include expenses incurred through normal operations such as rent, heating, insurance, honorariums, staffing, and equipment costs. If you are unsure if your general operating costs are eligible, please contact us.
What are examples activities for each funding priority ?
- Food insecurity & food systemsActivities and organizations that promote reliable access to enough affordable, nutritious food. Examples might include, but are not limited to:
- Nutrition education programs: Offering classes and workshops on cooking, nutrition, and healthy eating to help community members make informed food choices
- Food recovery programs: Collecting surplus food from restaurants, grocery stores, and farms to redistribute to those in need, reducing food waste and hunger
- Community gardens: Implementing gardening programs to teach children, youth or other community groups about agriculture, nutrition, and the importance of fresh food
- Community kitchens: Providing low cost or no cost food access programs to community members of all ages
- Other ideas might be …. Food pantries and soup kitchens, local food procurement policies, urban agriculture initiatives
- Mental health & connectionActivities and organizations that foster mental health, connection, and social well-being within our community. Examples may include, but are not limited to:
- Peer support programs: Creating networks of trained volunteers who offer peer support and mentorship to individuals experiencing mental health challenges.
- Public awareness campaigns: Running campaigns to reduce stigma around mental health issues to encourage people to seek help.
- Mental health first aid training: Offering courses to teach community members how to recognize and respond to signs of mental health crises.
- Support groups: Facilitating support groups for various issues, such as grief, addiction, depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.
- Youth and family services: Providing support services for children, youth and families, including counselling, after-school programs and family therapy.
- Other ideas might be …. social connection programs for seniors, community gardens and green spaces to connect with nature to promote mental well-being; Arts and culture programs such as music therapy sessions. Youth programs for mental health education, counselling services, and anti-bullying, and so on.
- Equity, diversity & inclusionActivities and organizations that aim to create more equitable environments by addressing disparities and/or promoting diversity that improve participation in society, particularly for equity deserving populations and communities. Examples might include, but are not limited to:
- Multicultural festival and events: Organizing events that celebrate the cultural diversity of the community, fostering understanding and appreciation among different groups.
- Youth mentorship programs: Creating mentorship and after-school programs that support underrepresented youth, providing them with role models, academic assistance, and career guidance.
- Accessibility improvements: Making public spaces, transportation, and services more accessible to individuals with disabilities.
- LGBTQ+ support programs: Creating safe spaces and support networks for LGBTQ+ individuals, including youth programs, counselling services, and community centres.
- Other ideas might be … Immigrant and refugee support services, language access services for non-English speaking community members, and so on.
Quick note that equity initiatives addressing housing affordability will be supported through the Housing & Homelessness Support Grants.
Looking for a different grant program?
Three other grant streams are available this year to support other priority areas:
- Housing insecurity and homelessness supports, Please review the Housing & Homelessness Applicant Guide here and the application questions here,
- Environment and conservation, and
- Social programs for adults with diverse abilities. These streams follow different application processes.
Please contact us for more information.
Are you located on Hornby Island?
Additional specific funding and supporting criteria exists for Hornby Island organizations. Please contact us before applying.
Can I apply for more than one grant?
You can submit ONE application per calendar year on behalf of your organization inclusive of all grant streams. In addition to your ONE application, your organization may also serve as a fiscal sponsor for one or multiple registered nonprofit societies.
What activities are NOT eligible for funding?
- Scholarships or bursaries funded elsewhere by the Foundation
- Activities of religious or sectarian organizations that serve only their membership and/or direct religious purposes. Activities must demonstrate a benefit to the broader community to be eligible.
- Political activities, specifically directly or indirectly supporting or opposing a political party or candidate for public office.
- The establishment of or addition to endowment funds
- The establishment of or addition to operating reserves
- Organizations or initiatives that discriminate based on based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family status, genetic characteristics, or disability.
How much funding can be requested?
There is no maximum amount of funds an organization may request; however, grant approvals have historically ranged from $30,000 to $3,000 per application with most requests funded at the $10,000 level or lower. This year, $300,000 will be available for distribution in support of the entire community. We encourage applicants to keep their requests relative to the total funding available.
What questions are on the application?
Before applying, you can view the application questions and budget template.
How are applications evaluated?
All eligible applications will be reviewed by the Grants Review Taskforce, which is a committee comprised of community members. The taskforce will use the common rubric below to support funding decisions.
| Questions reviewers will use to guide funding decisions | Questions you’ll answer on the application |
| How clearly does the proposal define its primary goal, and how well does it align with the stated objectives of the grant? |
Proposal Overview: What is the primary goal of your proposal? |
| How detailed, clear and feasible is the proposed plan of action in achieving the stated goals. |
Proposal Details: Please describe your plan in detail, outlining the specific actions and steps you will take to achieve your proposal’s goals. |
| How effectively does the proposal demonstrate the project’s significance and its alignment with the granting focus area(s)? | Focus Area: Why is this proposal significant to your organization and how does it address your identified grant focus area(s) |
| How clearly does the proposal address the potential consequences or missed opportunities if the project is not implemented? | Impact: What will be the impact to the community if this proposal is not implemented? |
| How effectively does the proposal outline clear, measurable outcomes and demonstrate their contributions to the projects’ goals and broader impact? | Outcomes: What are the anticipated outcomes of your proposal? |
| Does the application clearly demonstrate that the organization is led by or primarily serves equity-deserving populations, as defined by the program? |
Equity-deserving representation: Equity-deserving populations and communities include those who experience barriers to equal access, opportunities, and resources due to discrimination or disadvantage. This may include attitudinal, historic, social, or environmental barriers based on (but not limited to) age, ethnicity, disability, economic status, Indigeneity, gender identity and expression, nationality, race, or sexual orientation. Does your organization identify with any of the following? |
| How effectively does the proposal demonstrate that the organization applies an equity lens by centering the voices of those with lived experience, and by meaningfully involving them in the project’s planning, leadership, evaluation, and promotion? |
Equity Lens: Describe ways your organization actively brings an equity lens to its work. An equity lens recognizes that individuals with lived experience know what is best for themselves and their community and that their participation is integral to the success of the program. When the principle is used, the organization’s work is guided by the needs and aspirations of the people being served. Those people served are provided meaningful opportunities for participation in project planning, leadership, evaluation, and promotion. |
| How well does the proposed budget and other financial resources demonstrate a clear, reasonable and well justified allocation of resources to support the project’s activities and outcomes? | All responses from the following sections: Funding Request, Partial Funding, Budget, Financial Information |
What happens after I apply?
- September 18, 2025, at 5:00pm: All applications are due via the Grants Portal.
- September: Our team reviews all applications to ensure that applications are eligible and complete. As part of this process, we may reach out with questions about your application.
- October: A community member Grants Review Taskforce reviews applications and provides recommendations.
- December: All applicants are notified of funding decisions. Funded applicants will receive Conditions of Granting forms for completion. Unfunded applicants will be held on file and will remain eligible until March 1, 2025 should additional funding become available.
- January 2026: Funds are distributed. Comox Valley Community Foundation (CVCF) is now issuing grant payments electronically through one of two payment methods – Direct Deposit or Email Money Transfer.
- December 31, 2026: Final reports are due via the Grants Portal.
Tips for Online Grant Applications
1. If you are new to the Grants Portal, please review the CVCF Grants Portal Applicant User Guide before beginning your application.
2. You do not have to finish the application in one session. You may save an application as a draft and continue to edit an application until the deadline.
3. When filling out your application, your responses are saved automatically every 100 characters or every time you click off the field.
4. All questions marked with an asterixis are required.
5. After submitting your application, you can still view it in your dashboard but it will no longer be editable.
6. Unfortunately, incomplete, late, or paper submissions are NOT accepted.
