My Philanthropy is Vancouver Foundation's secure, online portal that gives individual, agency and corporate fund holders access to fund information, investment updates and newsletters.
To help you assess whether your organization is eligible to apply to Vancouver Foundation, or whether your project is likely to be funded, just answer the questions below.
Question 1. Who are you?
A non-profit organization
A for-profit business
An individual
Okay, keep going!
Vancouver Foundation cannot make grants to businesses. Social Enterprises or Community Contribution Companies that are also listed as qualified donees by the Canada Revenue Agency may apply.
Vancouver Foundation cannot make grants to individuals; however, some of our partners' granting programs (such as Neighbourhood Small Grants or Downtown Eastside Small Arts Grants) can. Please refer to the grants section of our website for more details.
Question 2. Are you applying on behalf of a registered charity or other qualified organization?
Yes
No
Not Sure
Great, please continue!
Vancouver Foundation can only grant to a qualified donee listed by the Canada Revenue Agency. These are usually federally registered charities but many municipalities and First Nations are also listed. Not all non-profit organizations are registered charities. Please look up your organization if you are unsure. If your organization is not a qualified donee, you might consider developing an intermediary agreement with an organization that is a listed qualified donee. For example, you might want to approach an organization that works in the same sector, or one that you are already partnering with to develop this project. Be aware that this is a legal arrangement with financial responsibilities. Find out if an intermediary arrangement is right for your organization.
Vancouver Foundation can only grant to a qualified donee listed by the Canada Revenue Agency. These are usually federally registered charities but many municipalities and First Nations are also listed. Not all non-profit organizations are registered charities. Please look up your organization if you are unsure. If your organization is not a qualified donee, you might consider developing an intermediary agreement with an organization that is a registered charity or other listed qualified donee. For example, you might want to approach an organization that works in the same sector, or one that you are already partnering with to develop this project. Be aware that this is a legal arrangement with financial responsibilities. Find out if an intermediary arrangement is right for your organization.
Question 3. Does your organization have an existing grant with Vancouver Foundation?
Yes
No
Not Sure
Our practice is to award only one systems change grant to the same organization at a time; however, under certain circumstances, we may consider multiple applications for different projects submitted by the same organization. Generally, this exception is made for distinct project requests from:
Large community service organizations which have broad mandates and serve diverse populations.
Organizations which represent a coalition, partnership, or collaborative initiative.
Okay, keep going!
If you're not sure whether your organization has an existing grant with us, then please try the Grant Search feature on our website or contact one of our Grant Administrators.
Question 4. Are you planning to submit multiple applications?
Yes
No
Not Sure
Our practice is to consider only one application from the same organization at a time; however, we will review every application received and, under certain circumstances, we may consider multiple applications for different projects submitted by the same organization. Submitting more than one application at the same time will not increase the likelihood that your organization receives funding.
Okay, keep going!
Our practice is to consider only one application from the same organization at a time; however, we will review every application received and, under certain circumstances, we may consider multiple applications for different projects submitted by the same organization. Submitting more than one application at the same time will not increase the likelihood that your organization receives funding.
Question 5. Is your project trying to address the root cause of a pressing social, environmental or cultural issue?
Yes
No
Not Sure
Great, keep going!
Sorry, the Systems Change Grants Program only funds projects that try to address the root cause of complex, pressing issues.
The Systems Change Grants Program only funds projects that try to influence or change the systemic behaviours that have created a pressing issue, or are holding that issue in place. To learn more, please download our Systems Change Grant Guidelines, or speak with one of our Grant Managers.
Question 6. Will your project take place in BC?
Yes
No
Partially
Great, please continue!
Sorry, our grants are limited to projects that take place in BC.
Our grants are limited to projects that take place in BC. This may include:
Organizations based elsewhere in Canada that are working in BC.
Projects which cross provincial/territorial boundaries (e.g. taking place in BC and the Yukon). Note: Vancouver Foundation will only fund expenses related to the project's BC-related activities.
Question 7. When will your project take place?
It's already started
Within the next 3 months
In 3-6 months
In 6-12 months
No worries! We will consider applications for projects that have already begun, provided that the request does not include expenses that have been, will be, or that we feel should be covered by other funding sources. Vancouver Foundation does not provide retroactive funding, nor bridge funding to sustain projects between grants. Submitting an application for a project that is already running will not increase the likelihood that it will be funded.
Okay, that timing might work.
If you're applying for a Develop grant, then you can submit your application at any time, and we'll have our decision back to you by the end of the quarter. For example, if you submit by February 14, you'll have a response back from us by March 31.
If you're applying for a multi-year Test or Scale grant, then you can submit an application during either our spring or fall grant calls. It usually takes us about 5 months from the submission deadline to process applications, and so you will need to have or find funding from other sources in order to begin your project earlier than that.
Okay, that timing might work.
If you're applying for a Develop grant, then you may want to wait a bit longer until you have more information. That's because you can submit your application at any time, and we'll have our decision back to you by the end of the quarter. For example, if you submit by February 14, you'll have a response back from us by March 31.
If you're applying for a multi-year Test or Scale grant, then you can submit an application during either our spring or fall grant calls. It usually takes us about 5 months from the submission deadline to process applications, and so you will need to have or find funding from other sources in order to begin your project earlier than that.
You'll most likely want to wait until the next granting cycle (in 6 months) before applying. That way, you'll have a clearer project plan and more partners/funders to tell us about.
Question 8. What would you like to use the funding for?
To generate ideas and then to develop a project plan for a future systems change project that can then be submitted to funders.
These kinds of projects are a good match for DEVELOP funding through our Systems Change Grants Program.
To test our ability to influence or change the systemic behaviours that are creating a pressing issue in our community, or that are holding the issue in place.
These kinds of projects are a good match for TEST funding through our Systems Change Grants Program.
To extend the systemic influence we've had through an existing project to a different scale within the system.
These kinds of projects are a good match for SCALE funding through our Systems Change Grants Program.
To learn more about the root causes of pressing issues impacting the health of our community through a research project.
These kinds of projects are a better match for funding through our Participatory Action Research Grants Program.
To fund a program that meets the urgent, immediate needs of our constituents.
These kinds of projects are better aligned to external sources of funding, such as the direct service grants offered by many municipalities, foundations, services clubs, businesses and unions. Our Systems Change grants only fund direct service if it's part of a larger project that focuses primarily on influencing the systemic behaviours that are creating the pressing issue for your constituents, or that are holding the issue in place.
To travel to and/or attend conferences, competitions, symposia, or annual events.
These kinds of requests are not eligible unless they are part of a broader systems change project.
To sponsor an event.
These kinds of requests are not eligible unless they are part of a broader systems change project.
To fund bursaries, scholarships, and/or awards.
These kinds of requests are not eligible unless they are part of a broader systems change project.
To fund on-going operations
These kinds of requests are not eligible, unless your ongoing operations are primary focused upon a systems change project.
To support our fundraising initiatives
These kinds of requests are not eligible.
To fund small capital costs (e.g. equipment, renovations)
These kinds of requests are not eligible unless they are part of a broader systems change project.
To fund large capital and public infrastructure projects (libraries, schools, health care facilities)
These kinds of requests are not eligible.
To provide emergency, bridge, or debt-retirement funding
These kinds of requests are not eligible.
To increase our reserves, such as through endowment matching grants
These kinds of requests are not eligible.
Question 9. Will your project include activities that canada revenue agency considers "political activities"?
Yes
No
Not Sure
No problem! Vancouver Foundation understands that non-partisan political activities, as part of a larger systems change project, can be an effective way to address pressing issues.
No worries! Vancouver Foundation understands that not all systems change projects require political activities.
Question 10. Will your project generate knowledge and resources that can be shared with others?
Yes
No
Not Sure
Fantastic! Please refer to our Open Licensing Policy for more information about our expectation for you to apply a CC BY 4.0 license to these resources.
No worries! Vancouver Foundation understands that not all participatory action research projects generate resources that can be shared. If this situation changes, then please refer to our Open Licensing Policy for more information.
Under our Open Licensing Policy, materials and resources produced grantees using Vancouver Foundation funding are expected to be licensed as openly as possible. While the default open license is CC BY 4.0, in some situations an alternate license (e.g. CC BY SA, CC BY ND, CC BY NC) is more suitable and can be considered. This may be true in cases where:
the work contains sensitive information or would put privacy of individuals at risk,
revenue generated by the work is critical to a creator's or project's financial sustainability,
the work belongs to other rights holders, or
sharing the work would contravene Indigenous traditional knowledge and culture sharing practices.
When immediate release would negatively impact the success of a project, grantees can delay licensing (e.g. after campaign is complete, or a one-year delay).
Question 11. Will your project offer living wages to salaried positions?
Yes
No
Not Sure
Fantastic! Vancouver Foundation supports the inclusion of living wage-based salaries through its grants.
Okay! We hope you'll consider offering living wages in the future. Please refer to our Living Wage Statement for more information.
We hope you'll consider offering living wages to all paid positions within your project. Please refer to our Living Wage Statement for more information.
Your quiz results
Thank you for taking the eligibility quiz. Our responses to the answers you provided should indicate whether your organization and your project are eligible to apply for a Systems Change Grant from Vancouver Foundation. Please note - we do not store your quiz results, and you will not need them later.
