Grant and Funding Programs Offered by More Than a Roof Foundation

More Than a Roof Foundation is a registered charity headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. Created to support the work of the Christian non‑profit More Than a Roof Housing Society, the Foundation raises and distributes funds to residents living in affordable housing communities across the province. Its purpose is to help people leverage stable housing into broader life changes in education, health, financial stability and community engagement.

The Foundation focuses on residents of More Than a Roof communities, as well as some members of surrounding neighbourhoods, by offering a mix of financial awards and program funding. Donors provide the capital that is then channelled into scholarships, bursaries, grants and community‑based supports that directly address needs residents themselves have identified, such as food security, skills development and social inclusion.

A flagship element of the Foundation’s work is its financial awards program, which includes scholarships, bursaries and grants. Scholarships are monetary awards for graduating secondary‑school students pursuing post‑secondary education, with academic achievement influencing award amounts. Bursaries are needs‑based monetary supports for residents seeking job training, new skills or participation in activities like summer camps. Grants provide funding for tenants and neighbours to run community‑building activities within or around More Than a Roof properties.

Beyond these core awards, the Foundation administers several recognition programs such as the Key Holder Awards, Distinguished Alumni Awards and Heart for Home Awards. While some of these are primarily honorific, they are embedded in the same annual awards cycle and highlight individuals and organizations helping to break cycles of poverty and homelessness in British Columbia.

In addition to direct financial awards, More Than a Roof Foundation funds programmatic initiatives that improve daily life and long‑term stability for residents. Priority areas include community food programs and pantries, such as the Soul Kitchen community dining table in Downtown Vancouver, mental and physical health supports ranging from addiction recovery to elder care, and personal and community wellness through chaplaincy, counselling and community‑building events.

The Foundation also works to grow its endowment, with the aim of providing ongoing funding for scholarships, bursaries, grants and resident‑focused programs for future generations. Gift planning, sponsorships and other forms of philanthropy are promoted as ways for individuals and businesses to build a long‑term legacy of support.

The organization is governed by a board of directors and led by an executive director who works closely with the leadership of More Than a Roof Housing Society. The Foundation publishes audited financial statements and detailed annual impact reports for recent fiscal years, outlining how donated funds are allocated across programs and financial awards. This reporting framework underlines its commitment to stewarding designated donations according to donor intent while redirecting surplus funds to other initiatives serving residents.

Beneficiaries of the Foundation’s funding include low‑income families, seniors and individuals living in More Than a Roof communities throughout British Columbia. By combining safe, long‑term, affordable housing with targeted financial awards and practical supports, the Foundation aims to break cycles of poverty and homelessness, improve food and housing security, and strengthen community ties. Stories and impact features on the website highlight scholarship recipients, residents benefiting from food programs, and alumni whose lives have been transformed through this network of housing and support.