Closed
Capital Project Grants - Downtown Eastside (DTES) Plan Grants
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Funds facility improvements supporting vulnerable communities in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside
Grant and Funding
Overview
The Downtown Eastside (DTES) Plan Grants provide matching funding to Vancouver-based organizations for projects that repair, upgrade, or expand facilities, conduct feasibility studies, or enhance public spaces to benefit residents facing structural barriers; funding amounts vary per project. The program aims to support initiatives aligned with the DTES Plan, focusing on improving opportunities and quality of life for vulnerable communities within the Downtown Eastside.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increasing community impact
- Reduce the ecological footprint
- Develop employee skills
Eligible Funding
- No Condition
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration
Location
- Vancouver
- British Columbia
Legal structures
- Financial cooperative
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- Social economy enterprise
- Non-financial cooperative
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Persons with Disabilities
- Language Minorities
- Other Racialized Persons
- 2SLGBTQI+
- Women
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Social Services
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Housing
- Religious Congregations and Associations
- Business Associations
- Children and Youth Organizations
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- General public
- Indigenous peoples
- People with disabilities
- Nonprofits / charities
- Low-income individuals / families
- Minority groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Local
- Municipal
Activities funded
- Repairing or upgrading facilities to meet health and safety requirements.
- Building, renovating, or expanding facilities to enhance or increase organizational services.
- Conducting planning or feasibility studies for future improvements.
- Improving public spaces to foster social connections within the community.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 41,000
Feasibility study for new multi-use arts hub in DTES
$ 55,000
Renovating drop-in centre washrooms for accessibility upgrades
$ 68,000
Upgrading kitchen facilities at a community food centre
$ 63,000
Public plaza landscaping to create safe gathering spaces
$ 46,000
Expansion of a harm reduction supplies distribution room
$ 66,000
Roof repair and HVAC upgrade for community childcare facility
Eligibility
- The applicant must be a Vancouver-based organization operating within the Downtown Eastside (DTES).
- Eligible organizations include business improvement associations, charities registered with Canada Revenue Agency, community service cooperatives, faith-based organizations, registered non-profit societies, and social enterprises wholly owned by a non-profit society.
- The proposed project must be located in the DTES and support implementation of the DTES Plan's quick-start projects and social impact objectives.
- The project must involve repairing, upgrading, building, renovating, expanding facilities, conducting feasibility studies, or improving public spaces to enhance community services or social connections.
Who is eligible?
- Business improvement associations
- Charities registered with Canada Revenue Agency
- Community service cooperatives
- Faith-based organizations
- Registered non-profit societies
- Social enterprises wholly owned by a non-profit society
Who is not eligible
- Organizations whose main focus is health care services (except for childcare or out-of-school care).
- Organizations whose primary focus is education (excluding childcare or out-of-school care).
- Organizations that exclude individuals or groups based on religion, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, language, disability, or income.
Eligible expenses
- Costs to repair or upgrade equipment, premises, or facilities to meet health and safety standards.
- Expenses related to building, renovating, or expanding facilities.
- Costs for planning or feasibility studies directly associated with facility improvement.
- Expenditures to improve public spaces that enhance social connections.
Eligible geographic areas
- Organizations based in Vancouver, specifically operating in the Downtown Eastside (DTES) area.
How to apply
1
Review guidelines and eligibility
- Review the official grant guidelines (PDF)
- Understand eligibility, application process, cost sharing, and payment details
2
Complete and sign application form
- Download and complete the application form (Word format)
- Sign the completed application form
- Save the signed application as a PDF file
3
Collect supporting documents
- Gather all required supporting documents
- Ensure all documents are complete and up to date
4
Submit application and documents
- Submit the completed application and all supporting documents
- Send by email to dtes.grants@vancouver.ca or by mail to the specified address
5
Await decision from City Council
- Await review and evaluation by City staff
- Applications will be brought to Council for decision on the specified date
Additional information
- The current status of the 2025 DTES Matching Grant program is closed and under evaluation by staff, with recommendations scheduled for Council decision on July 9, 2025.
- The funding cannot be applied to projects that have already been completed.
- Applicants are encouraged to review the full DTES Plan and relevant program guidelines for detailed expectations.
Contacts
dtes.grants@vancouver.ca
