Neighbourhood Matching Fund

The Neighbourhood Matching Fund supports neighbourhood-based groups that want to make creative improvements to local public lands. Eligible projects must actively involve the community and build neighbourhood connections.

The Neighbourhood Matching Fund is not a grant; community groups are provided funds based on demonstrated, equivalent contributions from volunteer labour, in-kind donations and other funding sources.

Funding requests can receive up to $10,000 and are based on need.

Application deadlines: April 15 and October 15

The Neighbourhood Matching Fund is available to neighbourhood-based, registered not-for-profit organizations including Community Centre Associations, Neighbourhood Houses or First Nations Organizations.

Informal neighbourhood-based groups must apply in partnership with a not-for-profit or charitable organization.

Project requirements

Projects must be on Park Board land or other public land trustee within Vancouver’s city limits.

Before proceeding with your project, the Park Board needs an agreement from the public land trustee for the requested land use (for example City of Vancouver Engineering, Vancouver Park Board, Vancouver Public Library, or Vancouver School Board).

Contact the Neighbourhood Matching Fund for support determining the eligibility of your project location:

Email: nmf@vancouver.ca

Phone: 604-257-8106

Examples of eligible projects

Building or expanding garden or greening projects such as seating, pollinator boxes, sharing or educational gardens, etc.
Find out how to get approval for garden projects on the Resources tab.
Building organic or arts-based fences such as structures that improve aesthetic while providing function
Co-designing and creating mosaics
Building creative benches with assistance from a ceramic artist
Developing a natural or historical interpretation such as a neighbourhood or park-specific tour or interpretive walk with associated maps or resources
Starting neighbourhood banner programs
Building an information kiosk
Creating a neighbourhood flower, bee, bird or other identification guide, booklet or map

All projects must involve the creation of a lasting physical legacy that expresses something unique about the neighbourhood and provides continued community use and enjoyment.

View previous Neighbourhood Matching Fund projects

Ineligible projects

Celebrations, parades, and performances that don’t have a lasting physical legacy
Items that are part of Park Board’s operation such as playgrounds, park benches, other manufactured equipment, or street trees.

Step 1: Consult a fund programmer

Before starting the application process, phone or email the Neighbourhood Matching Fund Programmer to ensure your project is eligible.

Email: nmf@vancouver.ca for all projects.
Phone: 604-257-8106

Step 2: Read the program guidelines

Get details on program criteria, project examples, and budget explanation in the program guidelines.

Neighbourhood Matching Fund program guidelines (575 KB)

Step 3: Complete the application form

Fill in the application two ways: on your computer or on paper.

Attach any support materials listed in the program guidelines.

Use the checklist on the last page of the application form to confirm you have completed all of the sections, and included all required support materials.

Do one of the following:

Complete this application form online to email (306 KB)
Print and complete this application form in writing to mail (105 KB)

Step 4: Submit your application

You can submit your application by email or postal mail.

Email your electronic form:

Save your completed application and attachments to your computer.
Click Email your application to open an email message window.
Type your project name in the subject of your email.
Attach your application and all support materials to the email.

Staff will send you an email confirming that we received your application within three business days.

Mail your printed form:

If you cannot complete the application form to send via email, print it and send it to:

Attn: Neighbourhood Matching Fund
2099 Beach Ave
Vancouver, BC V6G 1Z4

Previous projects

View previous Neighbourhood Matching Fund projects

Learn how to get approval for a garden project on:

Suggested artist fees

Artist fees vary from project to project and it is ultimately up to the artist you work with. Artists with different levels of experience may have different rates for service. Some may choose to waive their fee. We encourage you to support paying artists for their valuable services.