Neighbourhood Small Grants
About
The Neighbourhood Small Grants (NSG) program helps residents of any age, experience, or background take part in building community. NSG program was created to help build community and strengthen connections right where people live – in their neighbourhoods. This program supports project leaders who have small but powerful ideas to bring people together and make neighbourhoods vibrant. All three funding streams offer grant opportunities to local residents for amounts up to $500 (and occasionally $1000). Grants applications are reviewed and adjudicated by the Neighbourhood Grants Committee (NGC). Grants are awarded to project leaders for projects that meet the criteria to connect and engage residents, share residents’ skills and knowledge within the community, build sense of ownership and pride, and respect and celebrate diversity.
The best people to effect change in a community are the ones within it. And when we can make money less of an issue in doing so, it allows so many more kinds of ideas to shine!
The Westside Neighbourhood Small Grants have three funding streams:
NSG – Neighbourhood Small Grants
GCG – Greenest City Grants
Y NSG – Youth Neighbourhood Small Grants
Neighbourhood Small Grants (NSG) and Youth Neighbourhood Small Grants are funded by the Vancouver Foundation.
Greenest City Grants (GCG) program is funded by the City of Vancouver.
All three programs are administered through the NSG program by Kitsilano Neighbourhood House for the Westside catchment.
Visit the Neighbourhood Small Grants website to review the guidelines and criteria, and apply for a grant in these funding streams.
www.neighbourhoodsmallgrants.ca
Project Leaders must adhere to any public health orders that may be in effect when their project takes place.
Project leaders are encouraged to submit applications early, even if you are planning for a late summer or Fall 2022 project. This will help ensure there is funding available to support your application if it is accepted.
Details
Application Dates
Applications open March 15, 2022 and will close when funding is exhausted.
*In the 2021 grant cycle, funding was exhausted in July.
Grant Amounts
$50 – $500 (and occasionally $1,000)
Catchment Area
Kits House administers the Neighbourhood Small Grants program for the Westside > West Side – Neighbourhood Small Grant catchment area. If you live in an area other than the Westside of Vancouver click HERE to find your community
Apply
Resources
Logos
Kits House Logos
NSG Logo
Greenest City Logo (GCG Logo)
White Background 
Youth Neighbourhood Small Grant (Y-NSG)
Vancouver Foundation Logo (NSG Logo)
Transparent Background 
White Background 
Acknowledgement Blurbs
When promoting your project in print, on websites, or through other social media, use the blurb below and include the Kits House logo AND either the NSG logo or Greenest City Logo.
NSG Blurb
The Neighbourhood Small Grants (NSG) are funded by the Vancouver Foundation, and the program is administered by Kitsilano Neighbourhood House for the West Side community.
www.neighbourhoodsmallgrants.ca
Y NSG Blurb
The Youth Neighbourhood Small Grants (Y NSG) are funded by the Vancouver Foundation, and the program is administered by Kitsilano Neighbourhood House for the West Side community.
www.neighbourhoodsmallgrants.ca
GCG Blurb
The Greenest City Grants (GCG) are funded by the City of Vancouver, and are administered through the NSG program by Kitsilano Neighbourhood House for the West Side community.
www.neighbourhoodsmallgrants.ca
Land Acknowledgement
When hosting NSG/GCG/Y NSG events or projects begin by using this land acknowledgement:
I’d like to take a moment now to acknowledge and honour the fact that our community, now known as “the West Side” of Vancouver, lies on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh peoples. [pronounced: slay-wa-tooth]
Acknowledging territory shows recognition of and respect for Indigenous people – both past and present. Recognition and respect are essential elements of establishing healthy, reciprocal relations which are the key to reconciliation, a process to which Kits House and the Neighbourhood Small Grants program are committed.
Important Dates
March 15, 2022 | Applications Open
June 7 & 8, 2022 | Learning Day Summit
November 9, 2022 or until funding is exhausted | Applications Close
November 30, 2022 | All 2022 NSG & GCG Projects Completed
November 30, 2022 | NSG & GCG Project Leader Surveys to be completed
Late November/Early December | Westside NSG Celebration Date TBD
December 10, 2022 | Unused funds must be returned to Westside Coordinator
Reduced Rental / Free Space
Promoting your Project or Event
Here are some tips on how and where to advertise your projects:
Social Media
Create a Facebook page, group or event or use Twitter or Instagram to get the word out about your project. Make sure to tag Vancouver Foundation and Kits House in your Facebook and Twitter posts and your posts may get “re-tweeted”.
Twitter – @VancouverFdn | @KitsHouse | #vfnsg | #nsg
Facebook – VancouverFdn | KitsilanoCommunityProjects
Posters, Flyers & Photos
KnowAboutItWestside Google Group
When your NSG or GCG project is approved, your email address will be added to the “KnowAboutItWestside” google group. This is another way to get the word out about your project to Westside project leaders both past and present, and other members of the Westside Community.
Websites
Here are some websites where you could promote your project.
Resources for your Project
Guidelines for NSG Project Leaders: Listed are some guidelines to follow when carrying out your project
Info about Zoom, https://zoom.us/:
You can:
- host up to 100 people at a time
- have as many meetings as you like
- set up a Canadian (Ontario) phone number for people that don’t have access to computers/smart phone
There is a limit to the length of each meeting. It’s 40 minutes maximum. There are two ways around that:
- Buy a paid account (14.99 US/month, pay month by month)
- Those associated with schools can register to bypass the time limit – https://zoom.us/docs/ent/school-verification.html?zcid=1231&_ga=2.228851412.995105639.1583699918-735451631.1546545079
More about Zoom
- it works on smart phones and all computers (Mac, PC, Linux)
- you can schedule meetings and send invites
- you can share your screen and folks will see/hear whatever is on your screen
- there are a ton of videos and resources on Zooms website to help people learn the system (in a multitude of languages)
Cultural Awareness: First Peoples: A Guide to Newcomers to Vancouver was designed for immigrant communities, but can help create more awareness and understanding for all non-Indigenous people.
Greening an Event: The City of Vancouver Green Events Planing Guide will help you rethink the amount of waste, energy, and materials consumed during your event planning and activities
Promote Your Project: Use the Neighbourhood Small Grants blog to promote your event before it happens or share your story after your project takes place. Check out our step-by-step instruction page to learn more.
Photo Waiver: Media Release forms for your event,
Tips & Tricks: Tips & Tricks for your event.
Project Leader Toolkit
Please click on this link to view the Project Leader Toolkit PDF document
Virtual Meeting Links
Virtual Meeting links for NSG Project Leaders: Listed are some virtual meeting links you can use when carrying out your project
Info about Zoom, https://zoom.us/:
You can:
- host up to 100 people at a time
- have as many meetings as you like
- set up a Canadian (Ontario) phone number for people that don’t have access to computers/smart phone
There is a limit to the length of each meeting. It’s 40 minutes maximum. There are two ways around that:
- Buy a paid account (14.99 US/month, pay month by month)
- Those associated with schools can register to bypass the time limit – https://zoom.us/docs/ent/school-verification.html?zcid=1231&_ga=2.228851412.995105639.1583699918-735451631.1546545079
More about Zoom
- it works on smart phones and all computers (Mac, PC, Linux)
- you can schedule meetings and send invites
- you can share your screen and folks will see/hear whatever is on your screen
- there are a ton of videos and resources on Zooms website to help people learn the system (in a multitude of languages)
Big Blue Button: Click here for frequently asked questions regarding Big Blue Button
Google Hangouts: Click here to access Google Hangouts
Tech Support
Free friendly tech support is available through the YWCA Techlink:
YWCA TechLink will be offering free IT and tech support over the phone and virtually for vulnerable members of the community in Metro Vancouver.
Staffed by residents of the Lower Mainland who have a background in technology and a desire to build their Canadian work experience, TechLink will be able to help you with general IT and tech-related queries – these can include questions around:
- Setting up devices
- Making video calls
- Setting up email accounts
- How to access government services (limited details so as to not expose personal details such as passwords)
- Accessing the internet
If you’ve got general questions around IT and tech, get booked in for free, friendly tech support by calling 1-833-386-4129 or emailing help@techlink.ywcavan.org
Being Green & Zero Waste
Things to consider when organizing your event
Why have a green and zero waste event
- Protect our planet
- Educate and raise environmental awareness
- Conserve resources
- Save money
How to have a green and zero waste event
- Promote a green and zero waste event by talking about it at beginning of event
- Suggest that people bring their own plate, cups, cutlery, reusable water bottles, tablecloths, etc
- Provide pitchers of water, lemonade, etc. with reusable glasses not individual drink bottles
- No straws!
- Purchase food, decorations, and other materials that can be consumed, reused, or recycled
- Avoid styrofoam and unrecyclable plastic whenever possible
- Consider packaging and the transportation impact before buying or ordering food items
- Shop locally and eat locally grown food
- Use name tags made out of recyclable material
- Avoid balloons! They can be dangerous to wildlife and a choking hazard for kids.
- Make your own décor using items found in your recycle box or use up or repurpose items that you already have
- Provide clearly marked recycling, compost, and garbage bins (garbage should be the smallest!
Block Parties
Block parties are a great way to build community and connections!
You don’t have to live on a block of single-family homes to hold a block party; people in apartments and condos have them too!
You may decide to simply close your street to traffic and sip lemonade in the sun, or you may want to hold a parade, dance lessons and a fashion show…from the most simple to the most elaborate, it’s your call!
These two documents offer project leaders tips and suggestions on how to make your party a smooth running success and also how to host a “green” and zero waste event!
Block Party – Festival Planning and Ideas Toolkit
Equipment to Borrow
Tents
There are five green tents available to community members to reserve and use for events or projects.
Contact the Kits House front desk to reserve a tent. *Note that Kits House is not always open evening or on weekends – you will need to arrange a time with front desk to pick up and to drop off.
Folding Tables
There are 10 folding tables with carry handles (and some with wheels!) available to the community to reserve and use at their events or projects. These 6 foot tables fold in half and should easily fit into most types of vehicles. Please cover the table tops if you are doing crafts or art work so they remain nice and clean for the next person. Wipe down before returning to Kits House.
Contact the Kits House front desk to reserve a folding table. *Note that Kits House is not always open evening or on weekends – you will need to arrange a time with front desk to pick up and to drop off.
Easels
There are several different types of easels available (oil, water, table easels) that members of the community can reserve and borrow.
Contact Kits House front desk to reserve the easels. Please return the easels as soon as possible after you finish using them so that others have access to them. *Note that Kits House is not always open evening or on weekends – you will need to arrange a time with front desk to pick up and to drop off.
Featured 2022 Projects
2021 Projects
Featured R-NSG 2020 Projects
