If you had $500 to spend, what small project or event could you dream up to bring people together?
COQUITLAM, B.C., Aug. 31, 2023 – If you had $500 to spend, what small project or event could you dream up to bring people together?
Until Oct. 24, Coquitlam residents of all ages can apply for a Neighbourhood Small Grant (NSG) of up to $500 at coquitlam.ca/NeighbourhoodGrants for projects that connect neighbours and build a more welcoming, engaged community. Ideas could include social gatherings, neighbourhood improvement projects or interactive workshops to share skills.
The City offers the grants 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. Best of all, they never need to be repaid.
Here are the details: grant funding is only available for individuals, one member of a household or informal groups – not businesses or registered organizations – and may be used for expenses such as supplies, promotions, permits and services or honorariums of up to $100 for those sharing skills. Any grant-funded product, service or event must be offered for free to Coquitlam residents.
A great place to start brainstorming is with the examples on the Neighbourhood Small Grants website, including:
- Plant-based zero-waste cooking classes;
- An outdoor community movie night;
- Performances at seniors’ centres;
- A wildfire prevention work party barbecue;
- A workshop on Indigenous language and painting;
- Craft and woodworking classes;
- A pollinator garden at a co-op;
- A party celebrating student volunteers;
- A chili cook-off and more.
It’s Easy to Apply
Ready to get started? Go to coquitlam.ca/NeighbourhoodGrants for information or to start the simple online application process.
A grant committee will review the applications after the Oct. 24 deadline. Successful applicants will be informed in November and receive funds by cheque within about two weeks. Then it’s time to start planning!
Grant recipients will be encouraged to complete their projects by Feb. 26, 2024. Share the magic –in the form of stories and photos – on the Neighbourhood Small Grant website and on social media. And get ready for a wrap up celebration.
If you’re not ready to apply this time around, the next intake for Coquitlam is anticipated to take place in spring 2024.
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/SpiritGrant.
Media contacts:
Darryl Lal
Manager Policy & Business Services
City of Coquitlam
604-927-3587
dlal@coquitlam.ca
Cherie Layne and Ami Goshalia
Neighbourhood Small Grant Coordinators
Neighbourhood Small Grants – Coquitlam
604-468-9598
NSGCoquitlam@gmail.com
We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-kwuh-tlum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the sq̓əc̓iy̓aɁɬ təməxʷ (Katzie), and other Coast Salish Peoples.