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Spirit of Coquitlam Grant
The Spirit of Coquitlam grant supports not-for-profit, community-based organizations that are based in and serving Coquitlam residents. The intent of the grant is to build community spirit by providing funds for public art, sport activities and programs, festivals and events, sport hosting, capital projects, and new initiatives that align with the City’s strategic goals.
Funding for the Spirit of Coquitlam Grant Program is derived from the Casino Host Agreement revenue. Since 2002, the City of Coquitlam has awarded grants to over 230 different organizations through the Spirit of Coquitlam Grant Program.
The 2023 Spring intake for the Spirit of Coquitlam Grant will be open March 1 to 31.
If you have questions about the grant or would like to speak to someone about your application, please email the Grant Coordinator.
Updates for Spring 2023
Based on the success of the spring and fall 2022 intakes and the feedback from City Council, staff and the public, the following updates have been made to the program:
- Continuation of project streams, with their own funding objectives, limits and eligibility requirements
- Online application form
- Applicants who prefer a fillable PDF form can request one by emailing the Grant Coordinator.
- New budget template (XLSX)
- Revised Information and Application Guide (PDF)
- Online sessions:
- Mar. 7 from 2 - 3 p.m. Register Here
- Mar. 8 from 6 - 7 p.m. Register Here
Note: The Playground Equipment stream is only available during the spring intake as it aligns with the Province of British Columbia's Playground Equipment (PEP) announcement.
- Review the Application Guide (PDF)
- Review the Project Streams & Eligibility Criteria below to determine which project stream is most appropriate for your application
- Complete the online Application Form
- Applicants are encouraged to create an account with the online application. Creating an account enables you to save your application and complete over multiple sessions. Without an account, you must submit the application in one session.
- Ensure all required fields indicated by an asterisk (*) are filled before submitting
- You are only required to complete the sections of the application form that relate to the project stream you are applying for
- Review the Grant Application Attachment Checklist to ensure all required attachments are included
If you'd prefer a fillable PDF Application Form, email the Grant Coordinator for a copy.
Questions?
Contact the Grant Coordinator by email or call 604-927-3571 for support. You are encouraged to schedule an appointment to discuss your application before completing.
- With respect to the City's ongoing commitment to reconciliation with local Indigenous communities, as well as a focus on other equity-deserving groups through Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion initiatives, applicants are encouraged to highlight how their applications will be in support of these conditions.
- Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible for their projects. Spring grant intakes are usually in March and grant recipients are usually announced in late June or early July. Fall grant intakes are usually in September and grant recipients are usually announced in December.
- Spirit of Coquitlam grant funds can be used to cover expenses that are incurred from the date the grant application is received by the City of Coquitlam.
- Applying for a grant does not guarantee funding. The Spirit of Coquitlam Grant is competitive and demand commonly exceeds the available funds. Grants may be approved for a lower amount than was requested to ensure that as many eligible groups and projects as possible can receive financial support. Applicants are advised to submit their best possible application.
- Applicants are encouraged to discuss their proposals with the Grant Coordinator before submitting an application.
- Priority may be given to projects taking place within Coquitlam. Priority may be given to projects that demonstrate a benefit to Coquitlam residents and/or local businesses through economic development. Priority may be given to proposals that demonstrate a partnership between two or more community organizations.
- Priority may be given to projects that are zero waste, provide a sustainability plan, are accessible via transit/active transportation, or demonstrate other commitments to environmentally sustainable practices.
- Applications should demonstrate financial need. Projects that have secured the required funding or that intend to fundraise beyond project cost-recovery may not be considered for Spirit of Coquitlam grant funds.
- Applicants must provide a proposed project budget that identifies other sources of funding. Other sources may be in-kind contributions or monetary support from other grants, levels of government, or the applicant organization.
- A budget template has been provided, and must be completed.
- Priority may be given to applicants that include proof of application to the BC Community Gaming grant for the proposed Spirit of Coquitlam project.
- The Spirit of Coquitlam Grant is not intended to be an ongoing source of funding for activities, projects, programs, equipment or events. Priority may be given to new applicants, or those who demonstrate reduced reliance on City funding from year-to-year.
- Applications should demonstrate how the proposed program or project helps to meet at least one of the City’s Strategic Goals:
- Safe and complete neighbourhoods
- Local economy and local jobs
- Healthy community and active citizens
- Sustainable services, environment and infrastructure
- Excellence in City governance
- Applicants may request funds for one project at each intake, and at a maximum will receive funds in a grant category once per calendar year. Priority may be given to organizations that have not received Spirit of Coquitlam grant funds in the two previous intake periods.
- Completed applications must be received before the posted deadline for each intake. Late or incomplete applications may not be considered for funding.
Eligible Applicants Must:
- Be not-for-profit organizations operating in a professional manner, incorporated under the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, or under the equivalent provincial or territorial legislation.
- Parent Advisory Councils may apply for playground equipment in line with the Playground Equipment guidelines found in the Project Streams tab below
- Demonstrate that their organization has been active in the execution of their mandate for at least the previous calendar year.
- Be in good financial standing with the City
- Follow all applicable City codes of conduct, bylaws and regulations.
Ineligible Applicants:
- Applicants that have not fulfilled the requirements of previously awarded Spirit of Coquitlam Grants, including the submission of a final activity report.
- Organizations that have an ongoing agreement in place with the City of Coquitlam.
Eligible Projects or Programs:
- Create benefits primarily for Coquitlam residents
- That require the use of City facilities/property must include endorsement from the relevant department, including estimated costs if they are to be covered by Spirit of Coquitlam grant funding.
- Will be subject to funding maximums determined using the Simon Fraser Formula (SFF) when applicable. Funding maximums may be lower for projects that serve groups outside of Coquitlam.
- The SFF may not be applied to Sport Hosting projects, or to Festivals/Events with a minimum of 500 attendees that can also provide details of anticipated economic benefits for the City.
- Please contact the Grant Coordinator for more information about the SFF.
Ineligible Projects:
- Applicants may request funds for one project at each intake, and at a maximum will receive funds in a grant category once per calendar year. Priority may be given to organizations that have not received Spirit of Coquitlam grant funds in the two previous intake periods.
- Projects, equipment, tournaments or events whose main purpose is fundraising are ineligible for the Spirit of Coquitlam Grant.
The following information can also be found in the Spirit of Coquitlam Grant Information and Application Guide.
Submit the following documentation with your application:
- Completed the Spirit of Coquitlam Grant Budget Template (XLSX)
- Evidence of Registered Not-for-Profit Status:
- Society Annual Report – current, filed with BC Registries and Online Services as required by the BC Registry Services Act. More information for registered societies can be found at bcregistry.ca/societies.
- Society Constitution – must include the Society’s purpose.
- Project Timeline – describe the process from planning to completion of the project/event/activity.
- Financial Documents (most recent completed fiscal year):
- Society Balance Sheet (or Statement of Financial Position)
- Society Statement of Revenues and Expenses (or Statement of Financial Activities) – Audited or Review Engagement, if available.
- Detailed Quotes for All Expenses Requested - Include quotes or proof of pricing to support grant request. Expenses listed without quotes may be eligible for reimbursement at the completion of the project. Please contact the grant coordinators at 604-927-3571, or email the Grant Coordinator to discuss options.
- Facility Use License – if renting a City of Coquitlam facility (room, pool, etc.). To obtain a Facility Use License, email the Special Event Office at or phone 604-927-6968.
- Letters of Support – from collaborating organizations, other funders and/or in-kind contributors (if applicable).
- Community Gaming Grant Proof – Please attach a copy of the letter you receive from the Province (Award or Decline), or other evidence of application to Community Gaming Grant for the related project.
- Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) Application - Please attach a completed EFT Application form (PDF) including a voided cheque. This will allow the Grant Coordinator to distribute funds more quickly to successful applicants.
Project Streams and Eligibility Criteria
The Spirit of Coquitlam Grant includes six project categories. Applicants should apply to the stream that best matches their project. All applications must meet the general eligibility criteria, as well as the category specific criteria below.
- Festivals and Events
- Capital Projects
- Sports Equipment
- Sport Hosting
- Playground Equipment
- Community Support Projects
The City of Coquitlam is excited to support festivals and events in Coquitlam.
- The grant will fund festivals and events for a maximumof five years.
- Year One: up to 90% of total project costs to a maximum of $15,000
- Year Two: up to 70% of total project costs to a maximum of $15,000
- Year Three: up to 50% of total project costs to a maximum of $15,000
- If mutually acceptable to the City and the applicant, years four and five may be funded on the same terms as year three, while the parties work to develop a longer term funding strategy.
- Applications for projects with a total cost of $5,000 or less are eligible for up to 90% each year.
- Sustainability and environmental impact: In addition to the above maximums, applicants who commit to providing any of the following and include the additional estimated costs in their budget template, may receive an additional $5,000 per service or equipment (up to a maximum total of $20,000) upfront:
- Professional waste management services, as evidenced by a third-party waste diversion report for the event
- Refillable water bottle stations
- Bicycle valet/secure bicycle parking
- Applicants are invited to submit evidence of other costs (e.g., quotes) for services or equipment that minimize the environmental impact of their festival or event for consideration
- Festivals and events that receive Spirit of Coquitlam grant funds must be open to the public, and may only charge participants a fee to recover costs attributable directly to the festival/event. Priority may be given to free or low cost events.
- Funding for festivals and events that anticipate fewer than 500 participants will be subject to the Simon Fraser Formula, to ensure that Spirit of Coquitlam grant funds are used primarily to benefit Coquitlam residents.
- Festivals & Events applicants are encouraged to apply at least six months before their anticipated event date to improve the application’s chance of success.
- Festivals and events that anticipate over 500 participants may be exempt from the Simon Fraser Formula if evidence is provided of anticipated substantial economic benefit to Coquitlam businesses. Contact the Grant Coordinator if you would like your festival/event to be considered for this exemption.
Evaluation Criteria
- Applications for Festival and Event funding that meet all eligibility requirements will be evaluated on the following criteria. Applicants are encouraged to include information that is relevant to their project:
- A clear explanation of what the event will be
- Logistical details confirmed (dates, venue confirmed or on hold, evidence of other sources of funding, acts/entertainers/vendors etc.)
- Quantitative evidence of the benefits to the City and its residents (number of attendees, $ value of economic activity such as vendors, artists, hotel nights, local purchases, etc.)
- Description of cultural and community significance (demonstrated consideration of diversity, equity and inclusion, opportunities for cross-cultural sharing and learning, connecting residents to each other, encouraging active participation, training and learning for volunteers, youth-focused, etc.)
- Incorporation of environmental sustainability initiatives (highlighting sustainable transportation options to the event, reducing/separating waste, minimizing/eliminating single-use plastic items from food services, etc.)
Capital projects include the purchase of goods or infrastructure in support of programming and projects that align with the stated mission and mandate of an applicant.
- Capital project funding is available for projects with a minimum cost of $5,000.
- Organizations may receive up to 50% of total project cost to a maximum grant of $25,000 in this category once every three years, from the date the last grant was received.
- Requests to build or install infrastructure on City property are not eligible for Spirit of Coquitlam grant funding.
Evaluation Criteria
- Applications for capital project funding that meet all eligibility requirements will be evaluated on the following criteria. Applicants are encouraged to include information that is relevant to their project:
- A clear explanation of what the project includes
- Logistical details confirmed (location on private property confirmed, authorization to use the property for the project, evidence of other sources of funding, etc.)
- A clear explanation of how the proposed project benefits Coquitlam residents, and not only current members of the applicant organization
- Evidence that equipment or infrastructure is intended to be used primarily in Coquitlam and/or by Coquitlam residents
- A clear maintenance and storage plan for proposed purchases, including authorization from City staff if equipment is intended to be stored on City property
Through the Sports Equipment stream, the City of Coquitlam strives to increase participation and to support unique sporting opportunities for residents. This stream is not intended to subsidize the purchase of regularly used equipment that has reached end-of-life (e.g., replacing worn-out nets, sticks, bats, gloves, balls, uniforms, etc.), but the purchase of additional equipment is eligible. The City provides no cost and low-cost access to facilities and playing fields to minimize ongoing costs for local sports organizations, and the Sports Equipment stream is not intended to offset operating costs for sports organizations.
- Organizations may receive 90% of total project cost to a maximum of $5,000 in this category once every three years, from the date the last grant was received.
- In order to be eligible for funding in this stream, applicants must demonstrate that equipment will improve access to sport, or will increase participation.
- Final reporting in this stream must include data on actual changes to participation and access that result from the project access or increased participation.
- Participant feedback will be required before further funding will be provided to the same organization.
- Equipment purchased with the Spirit of Coquitlam grant must be for general use of players (e.g. uniforms, nets, balls, sticks and bats that remain in the control of the applicant and are usable in subsequent seasons, preferably by new participants).
- Applications must indicate how the organization intends to pay for replacement equipment in the future.
- Requests for funds to purchase equipment that will become the property of the participant are not eligible for funding.
- Requests for support for equipment required to host a tournament should apply through the Sport Hosting stream.
- Groups whose primary mission/mandate is to reduce financial or other barriers to sports participation may wish to apply through the Community Support Projects stream.
Evaluation Criteria
- Applications for Sports Equipment funding that meet all eligibility requirements will be evaluated on the following criteria. Applicants are encouraged to include information that is relevant to their project:
- A clear description of how the equipment improves access or increases participation in the respective sport
- A clear plan to replace equipment as needed without additional funding through the Spirit of Coquitlam grant
- Evidence that the applicant has a reasonable plan for secure storage of the equipment, including support from City staff if equipment is intended to be stored on City property
- A clear description of benefits to the broader community (beyond those who will use the equipment)
The Sport Hosting stream encourages local sports groups to host competitive tournaments or events that bring in participants from outside of Coquitlam and the Tri-Cities area. Annual tournaments held to raise funds that support ongoing club operations, or those that are not sanctioned by a recognized sporting body are not eligible for Spirit of Coquitlam grant funding.
- Funds for Sport Hosting are available at three different levels:
- Regional: Competitions with a regional draw may receive up to $10,000. Regional tournaments are those that include participants from the South Coast of British Columbia, including Metro Vancouver, Vancouver Island and the Fraser Valley. In order to be considered for this level of funding, applicants are required to confirm participation of a minimum of three teams or clubs from outside of Coquitlam and the bordering communities of Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Burnaby and New Westminster.
- Provincial: Competitions with a provincial draw may receive up to $15,000. In order to be considered for this level of funding, applicants are required to provide a letter of support from the provincially recognized sport governing body, or confirm participation of a minimum of three teams or clubs from outside of the South Coast of British Columbia.
- Interprovincial/National/International: Competitions with a national or international draw may receive up to $25,000. In order to be considered for this level of funding, applicants must provide a letter of support from a nationally or internationally recognized sport governing body, or confirm participation of a minimum of three teams or clubs from outside of British Columbia.
- Local tournaments, jamborees, playoffs and league games are not eligible for funding.
- Sport Hosting applicants are encouraged to apply at least six months before their anticipated event date to improve the application’s chance of success.
- Spirit of Coquitlam grant funds cannot be used for operational costs of a non-profit organization.
- The competition venue must be located in the City of Coquitlam.
- Costs related to bidding on tournament hosting rights are ineligible.
- Spirit of Coquitlam grant funds will not be released before the applicant has been confirmed as the tournament host.
- Groups whose primary mission/mandate is to reduce financial or other barriers to sports participation may wish to apply through the Community Support Projects stream.
Evaluation Criteria
- Applications for Sport Hosting funding that meet all eligibility requirements will be evaluated on the following criteria. Applicants are encouraged to include information that is relevant to their project:
- Logistical details confirmed (dates, venue confirmed or on hold, evidence of other sources of funding, invited and/or confirmed teams/competitors/participants etc.)
- A clear explanation of what the competition will be
- Quantitative evidence of the economic benefits to the City and its residents of hosting the competition (e.g. measured in estimated hotel room nights, number of visitors from out-of-town, etc.)
- Sponsorships or partnerships with local businesses, as evidenced through letters of agreement/support.
- Ability to leave a legacy in Coquitlam (e.g. purchase of event equipment being left to Coquitlam club/facility, coaching/officiating clinic, volunteer experience, school/team visitations by event participants, use of event to expand local sport membership, etc.)
- Frequency of hosting; priority may be given to teams or sports that have not received Sport Hosting funds in the year prior.
The Playground Equipment stream is only available during the spring intake as it aligns with the Province of British Columbia’s Playground Equipment (PEP) announcement.
The Playground Equipment stream aims to complement the Province of British Columbia’s Playground Equipment Program (PEP) or other similar programs which may be introduced. Parent Advisory Councils may apply on behalf of schools that have been identified as a priority for playground replacement or upgrade by School District 43 (SD43) under PEP but have not been selected for provincial support in the previous five years.
- Only SD43 schools are eligible for Playground Equipment funding.
- Applications for playground equipment will only be accepted during the spring intake, to align with the PEP announcement.
- Applicants may receive 90% of total project cost to a maximum of $25,000 for playground equipment on SD43 property that is open to the public during non-school hours. Priority may be given to playgrounds in neighbourhoods identified as having greater need, or that do not have playgrounds on City-owned land.
- Applicants must demonstrate that their school has been identified by SD43 as a priority candidate for PEP but has NOT been selected for provincial funding.
- SD43 must provide a letter of support of the playground equipment funding application to the Spirit of Coquitlam Grant.
- In cases where the Spirit of Coquitlam Grant will not cover the total cost, other sources of funding or a modified project that is achievable with the funds available must be identified.
- Funding for playground equipment for schools with lower than a 70% population of Coquitlam residents will be subject to the Simon Fraser Formula, which ensure that Spirit of Coquitlam grant funds are used primarily to benefit Coquitlam residents.
- Priority may be given to projects that include playground equipment that is climate adaptive, made of sustainable materials or reduce physical accessibility barriers.
Evaluation Criteria
- Applications for Playground Equipment funding that meet all eligibility requirements will be evaluated on the following criteria. Applicants are encouraged to include information that is relevant to their project:
- Clear demonstration of priority designation from SD43 and approval for installation
- Evidence of other funding sources
- Percentage of student population that is Coquitlam residents
- Inclusion of environmental sustainability elements (materials used, climate adaptations, etc.)
- Highlighting aspects that reduce physical accessibility barriers.
The Community Support Projects stream is intended for programming and projects that do not fit into one of the other categories but provide a tangible benefit to Coquitlam residents and meet the general eligibility requirements of the Spirit of Coquitlam Grant.
- Although all projects will be considered, priority for this category will go to projects that:
- improve the wellbeing of residents,
- incorporate environmental sustainability or stewardship,
- support equity, diversity, inclusion and reconciliation,
- encourage neighbourhood engagement and community building, and/or
- provide innovative services and programming.
- Applicants may receive 90% of the total project budget
- to a maximum of $10,000 in this category in three of any five-year period.
- Priority may be given to one-time programs and projects, or those that demonstrate a reduced reliance on City funding in following years.
Evaluation Criteria
- Applications for Community Support Projects funding that meet the eligibility requirements will be evaluated on the following criteria. Applicants are encouraged to include information that is relevant to their project:
- A clear description of the project, including start and end dates, population served, the issue that is addressed by the project and community benefit
- Evidence of partnership with other organizations
- Other sources of funding, and a clear description of how the project will be able to continue without additional Spirit of Coquitlam grant funding
- A clear understanding of how the proposed project connects to the applicant’s mission/mandate
- Details about how the project promotes diversity, equity and inclusion in the community.