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Cultural Operating Funding (COF)
Supports Vancouver non-profit arts and cultural organizations' operations
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Funding available
Up to 50% of project cost
Location
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Who can apply
Vancouver-based, professional non-profit arts, cultural and creative organizations.
See full eligibility
Overview
2026 Cultural Operating Funding (COF) provides core support for Vancouver-based, professional non-profit arts, cultural and creative organizations. Grants will not exceed 50% of an applicant’s last actual expense budget and may support operations, programs, services, and professional space for artistic work.
Receipt of requests is now closed
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At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Improve governance or administrative structure
- Develop workforce skills
Eligible Funding
- Up to 50% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Vancouver
- British Columbia
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Non-financial cooperative
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Persons with Disabilities
- Other Racialized Persons
- Canadians
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Culture and Arts
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- All dimensions
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 5
Activities funded
- Developing, creating, producing, presenting, and disseminating artistic work.
- Providing professional services for the benefit of the local arts and culture sector.
- Providing professional space for the benefit of the local arts and culture sector.
Documents Needed
- Upcoming Year Program Document
- Previous Year Program Document
- Samples of Feedback and Evaluation Summaries
- Accessibility Policy and/or Plan; CADAC Statistical Form; Board-signed Financial Statements for the most recently completed fiscal year
- Leadership Bios; Staff List; Current Planning document; Healthy/Respectful Workplace Policy and/or Plan; Equity Policy and/or Plan; and Board of Directors list
Sources and recorded changes
- Source change captured
- Change recorded
- Record updated
A captured source change or record update does not confirm eligibility. Check the funder’s current rules before applying.
COF guide updated for 2026 eligibility and dates
The COF guide now presents 2026 information and eligibility criteria, with updated intake dates and revised applicant requirements.
The COF information guide was revised to an Information and Eligibility version for 2026, and the key dates moved from the 2025 intake to the 2026/2027 cycle. New applicant EOI dates are now shown as June 3, 2026 to July 8, 2026 at 11:59 pm, and the full application window is shown as September 23, 2026 to November 4, 2026 at 11:59 pm, with later review milestones extending into 2027. The guide now includes detailed eligibility criteria for new applicants, including prior City funding relationships, Vancouver location and delivery requirements, minimum operating expense budget thresholds, and ineligible activities. The contact section also now shows only Miko Hoffman, with the revised contact details displayed in the updated guide.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Vancouver-based, professional non-profit arts, cultural and creative organizations.
- Non-profit societies legally registered and in good standing with BC Registries Services.
- Community service co-ops legally registered and in good standing with BC Registries Services.
- Registered charities with the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA).
Who is not eligible
- Organizations that do not have arts and cultural mandates.
- Public or private educational institutions, including public schools, universities, colleges, and training organizations.
- Community Centres and Civic Associations, as well as other City of Vancouver affiliated branches and departments.
- Organizations already receiving core support from another department of City of Vancouver, such as Core Support from Social Policy.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Core artistic training and in-class activity
- Capital projects
- Deficit reduction, third party fundraising activity, scholarships, contests, or competitions
- Activity taking place outside Vancouver city limits
Selection criteria
- Artistic Purpose – 8 points: clear purpose that responds to a clear need in Vancouver’s arts and culture sector, with clear commitments to equity in the mission, vision, and values.
- Artistic Contributors and Programs – 16 points: artist and collaborator experience, meaningful opportunities, programs and services that advance the mission, and public participation.
- Participation, Access, and Impact – 16 points: commitment to engage audiences that reflect the diversity of Vancouver, resourced accessibility practices, impact assessment, and sustained participation.
- Leadership and Administration – 16 points: relevant experience and skills, healthy/respectful workplace practices, equity planning, appropriate human resources, and a supportive board model.
- Financial Management – 8 points: healthy financial position, diversified revenue, realistic budgets, and a demonstrated need for public sector assistance.
How to apply
- New applicants submit an Expression of Interest form for COF.
- EOIs are reviewed by staff, and a limited number of organizations are invited to submit a full grant application based on anticipated available funding.
- Go to vanapply.vancouver.ca and log in.
- From your profile, select your organization name, then click Manage Organization.
- Click Profile, scroll to #6, and enter the COF access code received in the invitation email.
- Click Programs and select COF; the Primary Admin or any Admin can start the application, but only the owner can submit it.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed by staff and a peer assessment committee before recommendations are brought forward to City Council for approval.
- After Council approval, applicants receive confirmation by email and payments are sent by direct deposit.
- The Grant Agreement is binding and must be reviewed and authorized by a representative with full right, power, and authority.
- Grant recipients must acknowledge the City’s assistance and the Grant in all public communications or materials.
- If grant funds are not used as described, or if the Society breaches the agreement or applicable laws, regulations, and bylaws, the Society must immediately repay the funds in full and repay any remaining unused funds.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Cultural Operating Funding (COF) Program
What is the Cultural Operating Funding (COF)?
2026 Cultural Operating Funding (COF) provides core support for Vancouver-based, professional non-profit arts, cultural and creative organizations. Grants will not exceed 50% of an applicant’s last actual expense budget and may support operations, programs, services, and professional space for artistic work.
How much funding can be received?
Cultural Operating Funding (COF) Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Cultural Operating Funding (COF) program?
To be eligible for the Cultural Operating Funding (COF) program, you must:
Must be a non-profit society, community service co-op, or registered charity in good standing.
Must be physically located in Vancouver and deliver programs and services within Vancouver.
Must have an existing funding relationship with the City of Vancouver and a minimum operating expense budget of $150,000.
Who can I contact for more information about the Cultural Operating Funding (COF)?
You can contact City of Vancouver by email at miko.hoffman@vancouver.ca or by phone at 604.673.8411.
Where is the Cultural Operating Funding (COF) available?
The Cultural Operating Funding (COF) program is available the province of British Columbia.
Is the Cultural Operating Funding (COF) a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Cultural Operating Funding (COF) is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the Cultural Operating Funding (COF)?
Cultural Operating Funding (COF) is funded by City of Vancouver