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City Council approves $3.1 million in grants to support core community services, childcare programs and accessibility

July 24 2024 –

Yesterday, Vancouver City Council approved 105 community services and childcare grants totaling more than $3.1 million. The funds collectively help Vancouver’s communities, families, and children who face barriers accessing necessary support. 

The City of Vancouver’s social development granting programs are guided by Vibrant Vancouver: City Council’s Strategic Priorities (490 KB), 2023‐2026 (490 KB) and the Healthy City Strategy.

“Non-profit community organizations and childcare programs are crucial to reducing barriers and supporting the well-being of families, youth and seniors,” said Mayor Ken Sim. “City Council is proud to stand behind these impactful organizations, recognizing the dedicated efforts of their staff and volunteers whose hard work helps create healthier, happier and more inclusive communities for all.” 

Of the grants allocated, $1.2 million will be provided to community services, $1.7 million related to childcare programs, including operating costs for centres caring for vulnerable families, and $175,000 to support social development projects and research.

Of the childcare-related funding, $998,675 was approved for 40 licensed programs across the city that work with the highest-need families. These grants provide additional staffing to ensure program safety, support for food-insecure families, and neighbourhood program coordination. 

The grant funding will also be used to support a variety of meaningful initiatives such as:  

  • Seniors Services Society of BC - $32,888 was approved to provide one-on-one services to Vancouver seniors who are at risk of becoming homeless. 
  • Network of Inner City Community Services Society - $32,028 was approved to fund an inner city, community-based outreach program to support youth and their families.
  • Flavours of Hope Society - $40,000 was approved to scale up capacity for providing skill building and learning opportunities for newcomer women through food entrepreneurship and increasing the availability of locally produced and culturally preferred foods.   
  • M.O.S.A.I.C. Multi-Lingual Orientation Service Association for Immigrant Communities - $10,000 was approved to provide a safe space for all youth to engage in dialogues related to underlying factors of youth violence from the perspective of immigrant and refugee youth.

For full details – including the list of all grant recipients – read the Council report (363 KB).