We offer two grants to help residents strengthen neighbourhood connections: the Strong Neighbourhood Grant and the Youth Development & Engagement Grant.
Strong Neighbourhood Grant
Funding: Up to $1500 (matching)
This grant supports small-scale, resident-led projects that foster social connections, enhance the neighbourhood through placemaking, or promote skill-sharing. Successful applicants must match the grant with volunteer labour, donated materials, or cash.
Eligibility:
- Groups of three or more neighbours from separate households.
- Neighbourhood-based projects (not city-wide and must be completed within the calendar year).
- Applicants must live within Kelowna's geographic boundaries.
Eligible activities and expenses:
- Neighbourhood gardens, alleyway enhancements, murals, and story walks, etc.
- Neighbourhood events like block parties, festivals, porch concerts, or movie nights, etc.
Neighbourhood projects can receive up to $1,500, while events are eligible for up to $500 in matching funds.
Funded by: Central Okanagan Foundation.
Youth Development and Engagement Grant
Funding: Up to $1000
The Youth Development and Engagement Grant is a matching grant of up to $1,000 designed to inspire youth (aged 13-24) to participate in civic engagement, receive mentorship and shape their community by leading neighbourhood* enhancement projects. By working with other youth, this grant provides the opportunity for youth to build community relationships, gain a greater sense of neighbourhood pride, develop leadership skills and have fun!
This grant is intended to foster the potential in youth by supporting the development and delivery of youth-led projects that enhance their neighbourhood environment and contribute to its vitality.
The desired outcomes of the Youth Development and Engagement Grant are as follows:
- Youth will be engaged and inspired to create the best community they can imagine.
- Youth will lead the development and delivery of neighbourhood enhancement projects.
- Youth will contribute to enhancing the quality of life at a neighbourhood level.
- Youth will build a strengthened connection to their community and the people in it.
- Youth will build confidence to become leaders in their community.
Eligibility:
Any group of three or more youth with an idea for a project or event that will enhance their community and foster community connections is eligible. To participate in this program, the applicant must:
- Be between the ages of 13 and 24.
- Demonstrate commitment from at least two other youth who will co-lead the proposed project.
- Live or gather in the neighbourhood where the proposed project would be implemented.
- Identify an adult project sponsor if all members of the project team are under 19 years of age.
*In the context of the Youth Development & Engagement Grant, “neighbourhood” pertains to the immediate area surrounding an individual’s residence or organizations gathering space (school, community centre, etc.). This is individually defined, typically within walking or biking distance.
Strong Neighbourhood Programs
We offer two grants to help residents strengthen neighbourhood connections: the Strong Neighbourhood Grant and the Youth Development & Engagement Grant.
Strong Neighbourhood Grant
Funding: Up to $1500 (matching)
This grant supports small-scale, resident-led projects that foster social connections, enhance the neighbourhood through placemaking, or promote skill-sharing. Successful applicants must match the grant with volunteer labour, donated materials, or cash.
Eligibility:
- Groups of three or more neighbours from separate households.
- Neighbourhood-based projects (not city-wide and must be completed within the calendar year).
- Applicants must live within Kelowna's geographic boundaries.
Eligible activities and expenses:
- Neighbourhood gardens, alleyway enhancements, murals, and story walks, etc.
- Neighbourhood events like block parties, festivals, porch concerts, or movie nights, etc.
Neighbourhood projects can receive up to $1,500, while events are eligible for up to $500 in matching funds.
Funded by: Central Okanagan Foundation.
Youth Development and Engagement Grant
Funding: Up to $1000
The Youth Development and Engagement Grant is a matching grant of up to $1,000 designed to inspire youth (aged 13-24) to participate in civic engagement, receive mentorship and shape their community by leading neighbourhood* enhancement projects. By working with other youth, this grant provides the opportunity for youth to build community relationships, gain a greater sense of neighbourhood pride, develop leadership skills and have fun!
This grant is intended to foster the potential in youth by supporting the development and delivery of youth-led projects that enhance their neighbourhood environment and contribute to its vitality.
The desired outcomes of the Youth Development and Engagement Grant are as follows:
- Youth will be engaged and inspired to create the best community they can imagine.
- Youth will lead the development and delivery of neighbourhood enhancement projects.
- Youth will contribute to enhancing the quality of life at a neighbourhood level.
- Youth will build a strengthened connection to their community and the people in it.
- Youth will build confidence to become leaders in their community.
Eligibility:
Any group of three or more youth with an idea for a project or event that will enhance their community and foster community connections is eligible. To participate in this program, the applicant must:
- Be between the ages of 13 and 24.
- Demonstrate commitment from at least two other youth who will co-lead the proposed project.
- Live or gather in the neighbourhood where the proposed project would be implemented.
- Identify an adult project sponsor if all members of the project team are under 19 years of age.
*In the context of the Youth Development & Engagement Grant, “neighbourhood” pertains to the immediate area surrounding an individual’s residence or organizations gathering space (school, community centre, etc.). This is individually defined, typically within walking or biking distance.