Sustainable Food Systems Grants

• The grant term is three years, with disbursements as follows: 50% of the annual funding is provided immediately after approval (end of July/early August), 100% for the following two years, and 50% for the first half of the final year.
• Annual funding allocations depend on submission of annual progress reports and subsequent City Council approval for each year.

• The applicant must be a registered non-profit society, community service co-op, or social enterprise wholly owned by a non-profit and in good standing with the Registrar of Companies, or a registered charity in good standing with the Canadian Revenue Agency, or a First Nations Band.
• The applicant may partner with a fiscal sponsor (registered non-profit society or charity) if not registered as one of the above.
• The applicant must have an independent, active, volunteer-based governing body, with by-laws prohibiting staff from being voting board or executive members.
• The organization must deliver the funded program in Vancouver to Vancouver residents or Vancouver-based non-profits.
• The applicant 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

• Companies that are not registered non-profit societies, community service co-ops, social enterprises wholly owned by a non-profit, registered charities, or First Nations Bands (unless partnered with a qualified fiscal sponsor).
• Organizations whose primary activities fall under direct welfare supports such as food banks, meal programs, or provision of clothing.
• Businesses or organizations focused on food recovery or food rescue operations, including sorting, driving, and distribution.
• Entities involved in direct healthcare, employment training leading to certification, or initial settlement programs.
• Businesses acting as funding bodies for, or making grants to, other individuals, groups, or organizations.

Eligible geographic areas

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

• Alignment with the principles, goals, and actions of the Vancouver Food Strategy (2013 and 2017).
• Support for coalition-building among community members, organizations, agencies, or businesses to achieve food system goals collaboratively.
• Demonstrated efforts to address systemic barriers to community access of healthy, affordable, and culturally diverse food.
• Promotion of inclusion, participation, celebration, skill-building, or community capacity-building at the neighbourhood or community scale.
• Capacity to achieve a noteworthy community impact through the number or proportion of residents served or involved.

• Applications are accepted exclusively through the VanApply online platform; printed or emailed submissions are not permitted.
• Organizations may apply for multiple programs within a single application.
• Most recent fiscal year financial statements must be provided with the application.
• Required supporting documents include AGM minutes, board list, incorporation papers, board meeting minutes, by-laws/constitution, and, if available, a diversity policy and annual report.