Core Support Grants (CSG)

• Organizations with annual budgets of less than $5 million may apply for unrestricted core funding for the whole organization or specific program funding, subject to the restrictions on ineligible activities.
• Organizations with annual budgets of $5 million or more must apply for specific program funding only, with use of funds restricted to the approved program.
• Core funding may cover essential organizational and administrative costs, including staff salaries, benefits, administrative services, governance, office space, and program evaluation.
• The funding cannot be used for time-limited projects (less than three years), direct welfare supports, housing, most health-related or employment training services, capital expenses, or for acting as a funding body to others.

• The applicant must be a registered non-profit society, community service co-op, social enterprise wholly owned by a non-profit, a registered charity in good standing with CRA, or a First Nations Band.
• The organization must have an independent, active governing body composed of volunteers, with bylaws stating that no staff member can be a voting board or executive member.
• The applicant must have the demonstrated capacity and resources to deliver the proposed program or services.
• The organization must deliver funded programs or services in Vancouver to Vancouver residents or Vancouver-based non-profits.
• The organization must comply with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the British Columbia Human Rights Code.

Who is eligible?

• Registered non-profit societies
• Community service co-operatives
• Social enterprises wholly owned by a non-profit
• Registered charities
• First Nations Bands

Who is not eligible

• For-profit businesses, unless they are wholly owned non-profit social enterprises.
• Organizations that are not registered non-profit societies, community service co-ops, registered charities, or First Nations Bands.
• Organizations receiving core operating funding from other City of Vancouver departments (e.g., Cultural Operating Funds, Renters Services Grants).
• Organizations delivering programs falling under other government departments' mandates, such as direct healthcare, employment certification training, or initial settlement programs.
• Organizations operating time-limited projects (less than three years) or with less than six months of operations.

Eligible expenses

• Salaries and benefits of staff.
• Costs of including Elders or Knowledge Keepers in programs.
• Administrative services and overhead.
• Program evaluation expenses.
• Governance costs.
• Office space costs.
• Marketing and communications expenses.
• Accounting services.

Eligible geographic areas

• Organizations delivering programs in Vancouver to Vancouver residents or to Vancouver-based non-profits.

• Alignment with City policy priorities and social issues, including the Social Policy Grants Statement of Intent, Vibrant Vancouver, and Healthy City Strategy mandates.
• Demonstration of direct impact in addressing social inequities and removing barriers to opportunity and participation in society.
• Evidence of applying an equity lens both in programming and organizational practices.
• Demonstrated functional and financial capacity to deliver the proposed work or program.
• Collaboration with other organizations or networks, enhancing the reach and effectiveness of services.

• Step 1: Review Grant Information
  • Download and read the Core Support Grants Information Guide available on the City of Vancouver’s website.
  • Review the program priorities, eligible activities, and ineligible expenses.
• Step 2: Contact a Social Policy Grants Planner (recommended)
  • Reach out to a Social Policy Grants Planner via phone or email (socialpolicygrants@vancouver.ca) to discuss your project and confirm eligibility, especially if you are a new applicant or were unsuccessful in the previous intake.
• Step 3: Prepare Application Materials
  • Gather required documentation (organization incorporation, governing documents, program description, and budgets as appropriate).
  • Draft responses to the application questions, including program description, target population, key activities, expected outputs, and collaboration with other organizations.
• Step 4: Access VanApply Online Portal
  • Register or log in to VanApply, the City of Vancouver’s online grant management system.
  • Review the full list of application questions available in VanApply and online resources such as help guides and video tutorials.
• Step 5: Complete and Submit Application
  • Fill out the application form in VanApply and upload all required supporting documents.
  • Ensure all sections are completed accurately.
  • Submit the application via VanApply before the deadline (October 14, 2025, at 11:59 PM PST for the fall cycle).
• Step 6: Confirmation and Next Steps
  • Receive confirmation of submission from VanApply.
  • Be prepared to respond to any follow-up queries from Social Policy staff reviewing your application.

• All applications must be submitted through the VanApply online grants management system.
• Information sessions and guides are available in multiple languages to support applicants.
• The program applies an equity lens, prioritizing support for equity-denied groups in line with Vancouver's Equity Framework and Reconciliation commitments.
• Applicants are encouraged to contact a grants planner to discuss their application, especially if they are new or reapplying after an unsuccessful attempt.