Central Okanagan Foundation Grants

• Authorization/Verification form
• Budget template
• Letters of support
• Financial statements for the last complete fiscal year
• List of current Board of Directors

Who is eligible?

• Registered charities
• Community charities serving the Central Okanagan
• Organizations working in arts, culture, education, health, community services, heritage, animal welfare, environment, or global initiatives with local benefits

Who is not eligible

• Organizations that are not registered charities for multi-year funding.
• Organizations applying for project funding without a registered charity status and without an intermediary charity.
• Membership-based organizations applying for activities mainly serving their own members.
• Organizations seeking support for direct religious or political purposes.

Eligible expenses

• Project-related costs for new initiatives or program enhancements.
• Operating costs for multi-year grants.
• Equipment, supplies, consultants, production costs, and capital expenditures, with required quotes.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Core or operating expenses for project grants, including annual events or performances.
• Retroactive funding, debt retirement, reserves, and mortgage pay-downs.
• Activities mainly serving an organization’s membership or for direct religious or political purposes.
• School construction, including playground equipment, and annual fund drives.
• Improvements or additions to land or property that may revert to private ownership.

Eligible geographic areas

• Central Okanagan
• Lake Country
• Kelowna
• West Kelowna
• Peachland
• School District #23 boundaries

• Alignment with the organization’s mission, mandate, and activities.
• Expected community benefit and local impact in the Central Okanagan.
• Collaboration or partnerships.
• Clear need for the project and evidence it can be achieved.
• Sound budget, diverse resources, and effective evaluation plan.

• Step 1: Create an account and log in to the online portal
  • Use the grant interface portal to create a new account or log in with existing credentials.
  • Contact the Foundation if you do not have a BIN or need registration support.
• Step 2: Complete the application form
  • Open the relevant grant opportunity and fill in the online application.
  • Provide the required organization, project, budget, and support information.
• Step 3: Upload required documents
  • Attach the required forms and supporting documents in the portal.
  • Upload the budget template, letters of support, financial statements, board list, and authorization form.
• Step 4: Submit the application
  • Review the form carefully before submitting.
  • Submit the application through the online portal before the deadline.

• Applications are reviewed after submission by a volunteer committee.
• Funding decisions are discretionary and based on the application review.
• Applicants are notified after Board approval, usually about six to eight weeks after the deadline.
• Successful multi-year recipients must submit progress and updated financial information before later disbursements.

• Applicants are encouraged to contact the Foundation before submitting.
• Project and multi-year grants are offered through separate intakes.
• Registered charities may apply only once in a 12-month period.
• Applications in School District #23 are given first priority.