Grants to our community:
Environment
Purpose
Environment grants support the health and resilience of British Columbia’s environment in a changing world.
The Types of Projects We Support
In general, Vancouver Foundation supports growth and innovation through project-based grants for new initiatives. (See here for a full description.)
Through Environment, we support projects that:
- advance innovative policy and practice which address root causes of environmental issues
- increase public awareness, understanding and engagement in key environmental issues
- ensure that people and communities closest to environmental challenges are included in the development of solutions
Priority Areas
Through 2011 to 2014, there will be a particular focus on two priority areas. Multi-year requests are encouraged, but we will likely only be able to support two or three multi-year projects in each area.
- Freshwater – we are interested in strategies that strive for the long-term sustainability, protection and resilience of water quality and flows.
- Habitat Protection and Conservation – we are interested in strategies that offer opportunities for broad community participation and engagement in development of solutions, whether in marine or land-based ecosystems.
Criteria for evaluating requests to each of our priority areas includes the potential to result in measurable change over the next two to three years; addresses root causes of threats to the environment; creates opportunities for grassroots community engagement; and demonstrates strong project collaboration.
Typical Grant Amounts
In 2012, the Environment Committee grants budget is approximately $500,000. Approximately one-third of the budget will be targeted towards each of the two priority areas. The remaining third is available for requests that meet our general environmental goals.
Vancouver Foundation usually funds no more than 50% of the budget for a proposal. Both cash contributions and in-kind donations of services or goods are considered valid matching components. Generally, grant sizes are based on grant amounts for past proposals of a similar nature, the size of the total proposed budget, availability of funds and the importance of the proposal relative to the priorities described in this document.
Eligibility
Vancouver Foundation’s general eligibility guidelines apply.
How to Apply
Vancouver Foundation has a two-stage application process. The first stage is a Letter of Intent, which is a brief proposal assessed against the priorities and criteria of the Field of Interest you selected. If your proposal aligns well with the Field of Interest, then the second stage is to submit a full grant application upon request. A full description of the process can be found here.
Advisory Committee
Vancouver Foundation works with Advisory Committees to assess applications and to make funding recommendations. Advisory Committee members bring relevant expertise from across British Columbia and generously volunteer their time and energy to help shape our work and to ensure that we remain in touch with the communities we serve. Lists of Advisory Committee members can be found here.
Vancouver Foundation Contacts
Assistant, Grants & Community Initiatives
Tel: 604.688.2204
pegah.pourkarimi@vancouverfoundation.ca
Trina Prior
Manager, Grants & Community Initiatives
Tel: 604.629.2710
trina.prior@vancouverfoundation.ca
Mark Gifford
Director, Grants & Community Initiatives
Tel: 604.629.5362
mark.gifford@vancouverfoundation.ca
Letter of Intent: submit here
UPCOMING DEADLINES
Spring 2012 Deadlines
Letters of Intent:
January 27Applications: March 16
Final Decision: mid June
Fall 2012 Deadlines
Letters of Intent: July 27
Applications: September 14
Final Decision:
mid December
