Community Gaming Grants - Parent Advisory Council (PAC) and District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC) Grants

• PAC grants are calculated at $20 per student, with a minimum grant of $2,000 for PACs with fewer than 100 students.
• DPAC grants are set at $2,500 per year.
• PAC grant funds must be disbursed within 24 months of receipt; DPAC grant funds must be disbursed within 12 months of receipt.

• The applicant must be a Parent Advisory Council (PAC), equivalent group (such as a parent support group), or District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC) at a public school, group 1 or 2 independent school, or First Nation band school in British Columbia.
• The organization must operate as a not-for-profit and be independent from the management and operation of the school.
• Membership must be inclusive and reasonably open to all parents or guardians of students attending the school, with a minimum of two-thirds of executive members democratically elected by the voting membership.
• The executive must have at least two-thirds of its members residing in British Columbia, and executive members must not receive remuneration or other financial benefit for their services.
• The organization must provide extracurricular programming that is accessible and inclusive for all K-12 students at the school(s) represented by the PAC or within the school district for DPACs.

Who is eligible?

• Parent Advisory Councils (PACs) at public schools in British Columbia
• Parent Advisory Councils (PACs) at Group 1 or 2 independent schools in British Columbia
• Parent Advisory Councils (PACs) at First Nation band schools in British Columbia
• District Parent Advisory Councils (DPACs) in British Columbia
• Equivalent parent support groups at eligible schools in British Columbia

Who is not eligible

• Educational institutions, schools, or school authorities (organizations that are not independent Parent Advisory Councils or District Parent Advisory Councils).
• PACs at new schools that have not delivered programs within British Columbia for at least 12 months.
• Organizations with objectives, programs, or expenditures that do not comply with the laws, regulations, or general public policies of British Columbia.
• Groups providing programs that promote racial or ethnic superiority, religious intolerance, persecution, or social change through unlawful action.

Eligible expenses

• Field trips within British Columbia.
• Presentations or performances (e.g., music, theatre, science).
• School spirit and family engagement events (e.g., carnivals, movie nights, dances).
• Entertainment or leisure activities during non-instructional times (e.g., graphic novels, magazines, extracurricular books, board games, colouring books).
• Beautification of common spaces (e.g., art, posters, sensory paths, decorations).
• Student publications (e.g., newsletters, yearbooks).
• Student competitions (e.g., writing, debating, chess, music).
• Student computers, software, hardware, and accessories for extracurricular clubs (e.g., robotics, photography, yearbook club).
• Student clubs or societies (e.g., drama, chess).
• Student ceremonies (e.g., graduation, dry grad).
• Team or club uniforms (e.g., jerseys, t-shirts) and equipment for extracurricular activities.
• Equipment for extracurricular sports.
• Items that directly benefit students (e.g., playground equipment, projector for PAC events).
• Sports day costs (e.g., snacks, equipment rental, award ribbons).
• Student recognition (e.g., certificates, trophies, ribbons, graduation memorabilia, school hoodies).
• Student conferences within British Columbia.
• BCCPAC annual membership fees.
• Travel, fees, and accommodation costs for attending the BCCPAC annual conference (up to specified limits).
• Emergency, safety, or earthquake-related supplies or equipment not ordinarily the responsibility of the school or school district.
• With prior approval, student transportation and travel outside of British Columbia.
• For DPACs: Informational and promotional materials for parents, administrative costs (e.g., meeting room rental, printing, presenter/speaker fees), travel for regular meetings.

Eligible geographic areas

• British Columbia

• Step 1: Review Guidelines and Prepare
  • Read the PAC & DPAC Grant Guidelines and Conditions to ensure your organization understands all eligibility and application requirements.
  • Consult the pre-application checklist to gather all required information and documentation.
• Step 2: Account Setup
  • Ensure your organization has a Business BCeID account for best access to online application features, or a Basic BCeID if necessary.
  • Refer to guidance on Types of BCeID to determine the most appropriate account type for your organization.
• Step 3: Application Period Planning
  • Note that the application window is between April 1 and June 30 each year.
  • Late applications are highly unlikely to be funded and may not receive a response until March 31 of the following year.
• Step 4: Complete the Online Application
  • Go to the Apply Now page on the Community Gaming Grants website.
  • Select the appropriate application form (PAC or DPAC) and the correct link based on your BCeID account type.
  • Fill in all required information and attach all mandatory supporting documentation.
  • You may save your progress and return to complete the application as needed.
• Step 5: Submit the Application
  • Verify that all required fields and supporting documents are completed and attached.
  • Submit the application online.
  • After submission, a confirmation screen will display a Confirmation ID number; save or print a PDF copy for your organization’s records.
• Step 6: Await Notification
  • Applicants are notified of the decision via email by September 30.
  • If the application was submitted late, notification may not occur until March 31.

• Annual Gaming Account Summary Reports must be submitted within 90 days of fiscal year end if there is a balance in the Gaming Account, regardless of whether a grant was received that year.
• Grant recipients are required to retain all financial records and supporting documents for five years after the end of the fiscal year in which funds were disbursed.
• At least two unrelated executive members must authorize electronic transfers or sign cheques against the Gaming Account.
• Grant recipients may be selected for audit by the Community Gaming Grants Branch for various reasons, including risk factors or public complaints.