A group of people high-five in celebration

City Council approves more than $7.6 million in grants for community groups

March 12 2024 –

Today, Vancouver City Council approved 135 community service and social development grants totaling more than $7.6 million.  

The City of Vancouver’s social development granting programs are guided by the Healthy City Strategy and Vibrant Vancouver: City Council’s Strategic Priorities, 2023‐2026.

Of the grants allocated today, $4.3 million went to community services; $2.2 million to youth programs for violence prevention, capacity building and engagement (funding provided by Public Safety Canada); $307,000 to childcare; and $283,000 to grants related to climate-related initiatives.  
 
“Non-profit community and social services organizations play a vital role in our neighbourhoods by delivering essential support to families, youth and seniors, alongside those experiencing marginalization,” said Mayor Ken Sim. “City Council stands proudly behind these incredible organizations, recognizing the dedicated efforts of their staff and volunteers whose hard work brings these important programs to life.” 

Funding highlights:  

  • The 411 Seniors Centre Society received a grant of $70,000 for community information, referral services, and activities that promote active aging and social connection to their network of Vancouver's seniors, the majority of whom live on a very low income. 
  • M.O.S.A.I.C. Multi-Lingual Orientation Service Association for Immigrant Communities received grants totalling $141,000 for their programs supporting vulnerable children and youth at risk of violence, and their Accessibility for Newcomers Program which connects refugees and immigrants with disabilities to crucial settlement, employment and disability support services.  
  • The Writers’ Exchange Society received a grant of $25,500 for its free, out-of-school literacy programs that support under-resourced kids and youth. 
  • Neighbourhood Houses in Vancouver collectively received funding of $1.3 million to support a wide range of programs, activities and services that address the goals of the City’s Healthy City Strategy. This year, an additional $10,000 is being earmarked to allow neighbourhood houses to continue their extreme heat preparedness activities to serve residents of Vancouver.  
  • The City approved a total of $180,000 in Indigenous Healing and Wellness Grants to fund programs that provide traditional, spiritual and cultural healing and wellness activities to support Elders and Traditional Knowledge Keepers in Vancouver’s urban Indigenous community. 

For full details – including the list of all grant recipients – read the 2024 Community Services and Other Social Grants report (751 KB).