Capital Project Grants - Social Policy - Social Medium Capital Grants

• Cost-sharing grants for Social Medium Capital Grants range from $25,000 to $50,000, with the City’s contribution typically not exceeding 50% of the total eligible project cost.
• For climate resilient retrofit projects, grants can go up to $100,000, and cost-sharing is encouraged but not mandatory.
• The first half (50%) of the grant is released upon confirmation of additional funding, with the remaining 50% disbursed upon project completion and submission of a final report.
• Successful applicants have up to three years from Council approval to raise all necessary funding and complete the project.

• The applicant must be a Vancouver-based registered non-profit society, community service cooperative, social enterprise wholly owned by a non-profit, registered charity in good standing with the Canada Revenue Agency, or a First Nations Band.
• The facility for which funding is requested must be located within the City of Vancouver.
• The organization must deliver social-serving programs or services directly to Vancouver residents or Vancouver-based non-profits.
• The organization must have an independent, active governing body composed of volunteers, with bylaws prohibiting staff from being voting members of the board or executive.
• The project must involve upgrades to existing facilities that improve health, safety, climate resiliency, accessibility, or service capacity, and the building must remain in community use on a long-term basis.

Who is eligible?

• Registered non-profit societies
• Community service cooperatives
• Social enterprises wholly owned by a non-profit society
• Registered charities
• Faith-based organizations
• First Nations Bands

Who is not eligible

• Organizations not based in Vancouver.
• Organizations whose primary purpose is health care, such as medical treatment or recovery centers.
• Organizations focused primarily on housing or arts & culture (eligible under other City of Vancouver grant programs).
• Organizations with a main activity in education, employment training leading to certification, sports, recreation, or religious programs and services.
• Organizations that exclude people based on religion, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, language, disability, or income.

Eligible expenses

• Construction expenses related to facility upgrades.
• Consultant fees for planning projects, including hiring professionals and architectural drawings.
• Permit fees necessary for project execution.
• Expenses for moveable features, tools, and equipment that are an integral part of the overall project.

Eligible geographic areas

• City of Vancouver

• Type and scope of the proposed project.
• Prioritization of social spaces addressing the needs of disproportionately impacted populations, as outlined in "Spaces to Thrive".
• Alignment with the City of Vancouver’s strategic priorities and policies (e.g., Healthy City Strategy, Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, Equity Framework).
• Organizational health, including size and demonstrated financial need/support from other sources.
• Appropriateness of requested grant amount relative to available funds and overall project cost.

• Step 1: Review Guidelines and Information
  • Access and review the Social Policy - Social Capital Grants information guide to understand program details, eligibility, priorities, assessment criteria, and application requirements.
• Step 2: Gather Required Documents
  • Prepare a copy of the lease agreement and a letter of authorization from the landlord/property owner if the property is not owned by the applicant.
  • Obtain two quotes from professional contractors or vendors for the proposed project.
  • Prepare a detailed project budget.
  • Compile the organization’s most recent audited financial statements.
  • List of Board of Directors.
  • Minutes of the most recent Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Board Meeting.
  • Organization’s by-laws/constitution (if new or significantly changed).
  • Incorporation document (if new organization).
  • Optional: Letters of funding sources, policy on diversity, annual report.
• Step 3: Register or Log in to VanApply
  • Access the VanApply online application portal.
  • Register your organization or log in if you already have an account, ensuring there are no duplicate accounts for your organization.
• Step 4: Complete Pre-Application Questionnaire
  • Fill out the eligibility questionnaire within VanApply to determine if your organization is eligible to proceed.
• Step 5: Complete Application Form
  • Provide basic organization information as requested in the application form.
  • Answer project-specific questions outlining the work for which funding is requested.
  • Submit the proposed project estimate, including the two required quotes.
• Step 6: Upload Supporting Documents
  • Upload all collected supporting documents as indicated in Step 2.
• Step 7: Sign the Application
  • Ensure at least one authorized person with signing authority signs the application.
• Step 8: Submit the Application
  • Complete and submit your application through the VanApply portal.
  • For Council consideration on specific decision dates, submit by November 12, 2024, April 15, 2025, or September 6, 2025.

• Grants are generally processed through the VanApply online platform, and support is available for applicants requiring assistance during the process.
• Applicants should ensure their organization does not already have an existing VanApply account before registering a new one.
• For planning or feasibility studies, submission of the feasibility report is required if funded by the grant.
• Some projects may require approval from the City’s Facilities department when capital improvements are proposed for City-owned or leased facilities.