Open
Cultural Operating Funding (COF)
Supports Vancouver non-profit arts and cultural organizations' operations
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
No Condition
Timeline
- Open continuously
Location
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Overview
The Cultural Operating Funding (COF) program provides core financial support to Vancouver-based, professional non-profit arts and cultural organizations to enable the development, creation, production, presentation, and dissemination of artistic work or delivery of professional services. Eligible activities include ongoing arts and cultural programming, service provision, or space management, supporting organizations that demonstrate a strong equity focus and sustained arts engagement.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Improve governance or administrative structure
- Develop workforce skills
Eligible Funding
- No Condition
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
Location
- Vancouver
- British Columbia
Legal structures
- Financial cooperative
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- 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
- All industries
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- All dimensions
Next steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Creation, production, and presentation of artistic works across various disciplines.
- Development and dissemination of arts and cultural programs in Vancouver.
- Provision of professional services or spaces that support the arts sector.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Vancouver-based professional non-profit arts organizations
- Vancouver-based professional non-profit cultural organizations
- Non-profit societies focused on arts or culture
- Community service co-ops engaged in arts or cultural activities
- Registered charities delivering arts or cultural programming
Who is not eligible
- For-profit businesses of any kind.
- Organizations not legally registered as non-profit societies, community service co-ops, or charities.
- Companies not physically located in Vancouver or not delivering programs/services within Vancouver.
Eligible expenses
- Compensation for artists and cultural workers at standard industry rates.
- Costs for paid professional leadership in artistic or administrative roles.
- Expenses supporting accessibility and equity policy implementation.
- Costs related to developing, creating, producing, presenting, and disseminating artistic work.
Eligible geographic areas
- Organizations physically located in Vancouver.
Additional information
- Applicants with commitments to equity in their mission, programs, and practices are prioritized for new funding opportunities.
- Support of up to $500 is available for applicants who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or living with a disability to assist with application completion costs.
- Application timelines are set annually and subject to change; applicants should verify key dates.
- Organizations who submitted a previous EOI but were not selected remain on the list for consideration for the following intake year.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Cultural Operating Funding (COF) Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Cultural Operating Funding (COF). This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Cultural Operating Funding (COF)?
The Cultural Operating Funding (COF) program provides core financial support to Vancouver-based, professional non-profit arts and cultural organizations to enable the development, creation, production, presentation, and dissemination of artistic work or delivery of professional services. Eligible activities include ongoing arts and cultural programming, service provision, or space management, supporting organizations that demonstrate a strong equity focus and sustained arts engagement.
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 Vancouver-based, legally registered non-profit, co-op, or charity
Minimum operating expense budget of $150,000, with preference for $200,000 or more
Must have an existing funding relationship with the City of Vancouver
What expenses are eligible under Cultural Operating Funding (COF)?
Creation, production, and presentation of artistic works across various disciplines.
Development and dissemination of arts and cultural programs in Vancouver.
Provision of professional services or spaces that support the arts sector.
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.
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
More programs like this
- Cultural Indigenous Funding (CIF)$15,000-$40,000
- Cultural Equity and Accessibility Funding (CEAF)$15,000-$40,00050%
