Community Gaming Grants - Program Grants

• Maximum funding of up to $125,000 per year for local organizations.
• Maximum funding of up to $250,000 per year for regional or provincial organizations.
• For each eligible program, combined government funding (provincial and federal) must not exceed 75% of the program’s actual operating costs for the previous fiscal year.
• Up to 15% of total grant funds awarded may be used toward organizational operational costs.
• Minor capital projects eligible for funding must have a total cost of $20,000 or less; requests must be included as part of a program funding application.

• The applicant must be a not-for-profit organization, including designated Community Service Cooperatives.
• The organization must operate primarily for community benefit and deliver programs that provide a direct benefit to the broader community, not just its members.
• The organization must have an open and inclusive membership with a democratic process to select a volunteer board of directors (at least two-thirds of board members must be democratically elected and reside in British Columbia).
• The programs for which funding is requested must be ongoing and currently operating at the time of application, within one of the five eligible sectors (Arts & Culture, Sport, Environment, Human and Social Services, Public Safety).
• The applicant must provide financial documentation demonstrating the need for funding to deliver their programming.

Who is eligible?

• Not-for-profit organizations providing community benefit programs or services
• Organizations operating in one of the following sectors: Arts and Culture, Sport, Environment, Human and Social Services, or Public Safety
• Service Clubs (for specific information on Service Club programs and donations)
• Organizations with open membership and democratically elected volunteer boards
• Extra-provincial non-share corporations that deliver programs benefiting British Columbians

Who is not eligible

• For-profit companies and businesses.
• Member-funded societies.
• Cooperatives, except designated Community Service Cooperatives.
• Community contribution companies (C3).
• Chambers of commerce or boards of trade.
• Political parties, political action groups, or lobby groups.
• Federal, provincial, regional, municipal, First Nation, or other local governments (including their operated libraries, museums, galleries, recreation centres, or other facilities).
• Hospitals, medical or health care facilities.
• Educational institutions, schools, or school authorities.
• Penal institutions or correction centres.
• Religious institutions (note: non-profits affiliated with religious institutions may be eligible if they meet specific requirements).
• Professional or industry organizations.
• Organizations with objectives, programs, or expenditures not conforming to applicable laws and public policies of British Columbia.
• Organizations promoting racial or ethnic superiority, religious intolerance, persecution, or unlawful social change.
• Organizations where the majority of board members are employed by or provide contracted services to the organization.

Eligible expenses

• Pro-rated portion of organizational operational costs directly related to program delivery (e.g., wages, rent, utilities, insurance, internet/phone, office supplies, legal and accounting services).
• Wages and benefits for staff in program-related roles.
• Program supplies and materials necessary for delivery of approved programs.
• Advertising costs for program promotion.
• Rental or purchase of minor equipment essential for program delivery.
• Cultural components (such as training and honorariums related to enhancing inclusivity with Indigenous or marginalized communities).
• Volunteer training costs related to program delivery.
• Travel within British Columbia necessary for program delivery.
• Travel and accommodation expenses for staff/volunteers to attend the BC Association of Charitable Gaming annual symposium (up to specified limits).
• With pre-approval, costs for minor capital projects (total cost of $20,000 or less) or capital acquisitions essential to program delivery.
• Up to 15% of total grant funds for organization operational costs (wages of non-program staff, rent, insurance, utilities, office supplies, professional memberships, IT, financial management costs, legal costs, translation).

Eligible geographic areas

• Organizations operating in British Columbia.

• Assessment of the demonstrated size and scope of program delivery and overall community benefit.
• Completeness and clarity of required supporting documents (including financial statements and program descriptions).
• Demonstrated community need, as shown through program descriptions and supporting evidence.
• Availability of funding and budget limits at the time of application review.

• Grant recipients are required to acknowledge financial support from the Province of British Columbia in their program materials, including signage for funded capital projects.
• Organizations must maintain Gaming Account records and supporting documentation for at least five years after the fiscal year during which funds were disbursed.
• If an organization is planning to dissolve or amalgamate, notification and specific procedures must be followed regarding unused grant funds and assets acquired with grant funding.
• An annual Gaming Account Summary Report is required within 90 days of the end of each fiscal year, regardless of whether a grant was received that year, if a Gaming Account balance exists.