COQUITLAM, B.C., August 22, 2024 – If you had $500 to spend, what small project or event could you dream up to bring people together?
From September 9 until October 15, Coquitlam residents are invited to apply for a Neighbourhood Small Grant (NSG) of up to $500 at coquitlam.ca/NeighbourhoodGrants. Grant funds can be used for projects that connect people socially or involve sharing skills or talents with each other. Ideas might include social gatherings, improvement projects or workshops to share skills.
Coquitlam’s Neighbourhood Small Grants are offered in partnership with the Coquitlam Foundation, Vancouver Foundation and the Association of Neighbourhood Houses of BC.
Plan Your Project
Neighbourhood Small Grants remove financial barriers for projects that connect people, whether in a neighbourhood, building or group with a common interest. The grants never have to be paid back, no matter how the project turns out.
Grant funding is only for individuals or informal groups – not businesses or registered organizations – and may be used for expenses such as products, services or honorariums of up to $100 for those sharing skills. Any grant-funded product, service or event must be offered for free.
A good place to start brainstorming is to view examples on the Neighbourhood Small Grant website, including:
- Lending library for your neighborhood
- Performances at senior or care centres
- Workshop on Indigenous language / painting / crafting
- Skill sharing / teaching carpentry, gardening, weaving, computers
- Pollinator garden at a co-op
- Recycling / Upcycling event
- Sports competition / instrumental performance
It’s Easy to Apply
Go to coquitlam.ca/NeighbourhoodGrants for information or to start the simple online application process.
A grant committee will review applications after October 15, 2024. Successful applicants will be informed by email, and cheques will be mailed once all applicant confirmations are made.
Grant recipients will be encouraged to complete their projects by December 31, 2024, and to share stories and photos of their activities on the Neighbourhood Small Grant website and social media. They will also be invited to a wrap-up celebration.
The next application intake for Coquitlam is anticipated to take place in the spring.
Creating Welcoming Neighbourhoods
The Small Neighbourhood Grant program dovetails with Coquitlam’s ongoing work to create welcoming, connected neighbourhoods through initiatives such as Neighbourhood Nights, grants for block parties and a variety of volunteer programs.
The aim is to make Coquitlam’s neighbourhoods places where people know and help each other, celebrate together and work as a team to make their community a better place to live. Coquitlam’s Welcoming Neighbourhoods webpage includes information about City supports and programs.
Other Grant Opportunities:
While the Neighbourhood Small Grants is intended for individuals or informal groups, registered non-profit organizations can apply for the Spirit of Coquitlam Grant. Learn more and apply at coquitlam.ca/grants.
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Media contacts:
Cherie Layne & Ami Goshalia
Neighbourhood Small Grant Coordinators
Neighbourhood Small Grants – Coquitlam
604-468-9598
NSGCoquitlam@gmail.com
Darryl Lal
Manager Policy & Business Services
City of Coquitlam
604-927-3587
dlal@coquitlam.ca
We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (HUN-kuh-MEE-num) word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-KWET-lum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the q̓ic̓əy̓ (kat-zee), and other Coast Salish Peoples.