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Deadline: April 19, 2026
Program Summary:
Vancouver Status of Women (VSW) has a long history of supporting marginalized communities within the Vancouver Lower Mainland. Given recent shifts in funding allocation, VSW has transitioned from delivering programming to offering an annual grant designed to assist grassroots community initiatives. By investing in the community, VSW hopes to continue their legacy of transformation towards a more equitable future. The Community Action Grants accepted applications for the first time in 2022.
These grants are available to any women or gender diverse person seeking funding for a project/initiative that will benefit community in the Vancouver Lower Mainland. In 2024, we are expanding the grant program to include applications for projects based anywhere in Canada. This grant is designed specifically for grassroots projects, small businesses, and community organizations led by individuals or small groups that are underserved by mainstream grants and wealth distribution. Those with underrepresented and marginalized positionalities are encouraged to self-identify in their application.
What Projects/Initiatives are Eligible for Funding?:
As this grant is intended to support grassroots organizing and new/ongoing community initiatives. Applications are accepted from individuals or small groups.
Vancouver Status of Women encourages applications that centre grassroots organising focused on resisting and responding to the multiple genocides currently taking place in the world including Falastine, Lebanon, Sudan, Congo, Kashmir as well as initiatives that focus on building community and the wellbeing of Indigenous, Black, racialised cis/trans women and gender diverse individuals on Turtle Island. We also look forward to supporting projects and initiatives that directly challenge Western imperialism including the sovereignty of Cuba and Venezuela.
Listed below is a sample of projects/initiatives that could be considered for funding. This list is non-exhaustive, and merely reflects the potential initiatives that would be considered for this grant. All applicants that believe their project fits within the VSW mandate are encouraged to apply.
- Seed funding for a small business
- Academic mentorship and empowerment of racialized youth
- Translation of health resources into non-official languages of Canada
- Developing a community network to support international students
- Organizing a conference on environmental racism / justice
- Initiatives aimed at improving community health and disability justice
- Healthy relationship programming for teens of all genders
- Seed funding for a community garden to address food insecurity
- Establishing a daycare for low-income parents
- Community art project for queer / trans seniors
Grant Amount:
The total amount of annual funding available is approximately $50,000 with $35,000 for the Vancouver Lower Mainland and BC area and $15,000 nationally. There are two funding streams applicants may apply for: larger grants of $5,000, and small grants of $2,000 – 3,000.
Eligible Applicants:
Any individual, group, or community organization engaged in grassroots work in the Vancouver Lower Mainland, is eligible for a grant valued up to $5,000. We are excited to be able to expand this grant to other parts of Canada, however, the majority of funding will still be allocated to the Vancouver Lower Mainland. Charitable status or connection to an incorporated non-profit organization is not a requirement. Only applications from self-identified Indigenous, Black, and racialized women, trans, or non-binary will be considered. Past recipients of the Community Action Grant are not eligible for funding.
Applications from racialized individuals/groups from the following are welcomed:
- First Nations, Métis, or Inuit / Indigenous
- Black / African
- 2SLGBTQ+
- With disabilities
- Racialized / Mixed race
- Refugee, immigrant, or non-status
- Living on low incomes
- Older/senior
- Youth
Vancouver Status of Women (VSW) is committed to being accountable to the communities it serves. Successful and unsuccessful applicants are invited to share their feedback on the grant process with the goal of community building, learning, responsibility, and accountability. Through this discussion, VSW hopes to learn more about the impact of this grant, including the ways in which the organization can adapt to meet community needs.