Neighbourhood Small Grants: Projects That Connect Neighbours

The Neigbourhood Small Grant program is back for 2021. The foundation of this program is connecting people within their own communities. Hard to argue that this is needed now more than ever before. Although the program is envisioned a little differently this year in light of COVID, the fundamental principles still apply.

1. Small is beautiful. Small ideas are beautiful and manageable.
2. Everyone has something to offer. Whether you can teach a skill or give some tips, or provide a service. We all have something valuable to share.
3. It’s your project. You create how you want it to look and feel.
4. Create your chosen family.  A platform to help build networks within your community.

What are Neighbourhood Small Grants? As the name implies, you apply for grants for a project within your community. You can receive grants of up to $500 for projects that connect people socially, or involve sharing a skill or talent. If you are sharing a skill, you may pay out an honorarium of up to $350. Projects must stay within guidelines for physical distancing.  Anyone who lives in any of the communities listed below can apply for the grant:

Britannia, Carnegie, Ray-Cam, Strathcona
Cedar Cottage, Hastings-Sunrise, Renfrew
South Vancouver: Renfrew Collingwood, Renfrew Heights,
Sunset, Marpole, Killarney, Champlain Heights, Victoria-Fraserview, Oakridge

The premise of these grants are the belief that the best people effect change in a community that they live in. When money is less of an issue, it allows more ideas to shine.  What have other people done?   A few ideas include book exchanges, benches and community gardens.  Some other idea befitting our pandemic times could include creating small care packages for seniors with a few spring flowers and crossword puzzles and/or word search games.  For young children, what about a scavenger hunt in a park with prizes?   The ability to be with other children, but still physically distanced.   You could also create art cards for seniors in long term care.  Art in the park?  Whether it’s adults sketching or using pastels, or kids painting rocks to be displayed in the neighbourhood, connection is key and the ideas are limitless.  Need more ideas or wish to apply for a grant?  Visit Neighbourhood Small Grants.

Tags: Art In The Park, Building Community, Community, Connection, East Van, Neighbhourhood Library, Neighbourhod Small Grants, Physical Distancing, Projects, Small Ideas, Vancouver, Vancouver Foundation