Ideas that connect neighbours
We offer grants of up to $500 to help bring your community project to life. With a Neighbourhood Small Grant, you become part of a network of hundreds of project leaders who have taken steps to strengthen their neighbourhoods—just like you.
Why do we do this? Because magic happens when neighbours connect. It builds friendships, creates safer, more vibrant communities, and fosters a stronger sense of belonging.
With over $25,000 in NSG funding available, there are countless opportunities to bring your ideas to life and make a lasting impact in your community.
The 2025 NSG cycle is now closed. Applicants will be notified in early May.
Neighbourhood Small Grants (NSG) is a funding initiative that supports small-scale community projects in neighbourhoods and smaller communities across the South Okanagan and Similkameen. It empowers residents of all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels to actively engage in community building.
What NSG Supports
Neighbourhood Small Grants fund creative projects led by individuals or small groups that:
- Enhance community strength and resilience
- Nurture creativity and well-being
- Increase connections between neighbours
Projects often include workshops to share skills or gatherings with a specific purpose, but many unique initiatives go beyond these categories.
How NSG Works
A grant provides funding to help bring your project to life. While you must apply to receive funding, NSG grants do not need to be repaid.
If you live outside the South Okanagan and would like to apply for an NSG, please visit the provincial NSG website.
At NSG, we believe everyone has something valuable to contribute. Even small actions can create meaningful change—strengthening relationships, building confidence, and fostering local traditions. By working together, neighbours can bring ideas to life and make a real difference in their communities.
Core Principles
- Everyone has gifts – Every person has something to offer—ideas, talents, skills, experiences, and connections—that can help build a stronger community.
- Small is powerful – Even modest funding can create lasting impact by fostering new relationships, increasing confidence, developing leadership, and strengthening a sense of belonging.
- Local decisions are best – Community members from diverse backgrounds and experiences decide how grants are allocated, ensuring projects reflect local needs.
- Where we live matters – NSG grants empower neighbours to collaborate on projects that make a difference in their own communities.
- We learn together – There is no single right way to build community. NSG encourages learning, sharing, and exchanging ideas so participants can grow their skills and knowledge.
- Everyone is invited – NSG is accessible and inclusive to all, regardless of age, ethnicity, income, cultural background, gender, ability, or sexual orientation.
These principles guide NSG in fostering strong, connected, and thriving neighbourhoods.
The NSG program supports a diverse range of community projects that align with the Principles of Grassroots Grantmaking.
Funding and Eligibility
- Grants of up to $500 are available for small, community-building projects.
- Only individuals or small volunteer groups may apply. Registered organizations and businesses are not eligible.
Residency and Project Location
- Applicants must live in the community where they apply.
- Projects must take place within the neighbourhood or community where the application is processed.
- To ensure inclusivity, events cannot be held at businesses, school grounds, places of worship, or private membership venues.
Cost and Participation
- Any product, service, or event funded by NSG must be free or by optional donation—participation must never be dependent on a fee.
- Applicants must create a realistic budget based on actual costs and use resourceful approaches (such as borrowing or donations) for materials. All expense receipts must be retained.
- As a place-based program, NSG funds should be spent as locally as possible to support local businesses, artisans, and growers.
- Budget Considerations: Food is an important part of bringing people together. When planning, consider a variety of options to accommodate different dietary needs, ensuring an inclusive and welcoming environment.
Ineligible Projects
The following projects are not eligible for NSG funding:
- Projects involving infrastructure building, major upgrades, or large equipment purchases (e.g., computers), except community gardens.
- Projects focused on therapy or counselling support.
- Projects designed for financial profit, though honorariums are permitted.
- Political activities, including advocacy, campaigning, endorsements of political agendas, or political fundraising.
Project Preference
Priority will be given to:
- Student-led, Indigenous-led, and ReconciliACTION projects.
- New projects or those that have been funded for fewer than three consecutive years.
- Festival-style events that focus on a specific neighbourhood or community (100–300 attendees) and include activities that strengthen neighbourly connections.
Permits and Compliance
- Projects held on neighbourhood streets, public spaces, or parks must comply with municipal by-laws, obtain necessary permits, and secure liability insurance before starting.
Application Limits
- Applicants may apply for only one NSG grant at a time, but they are welcome to collaborate with other project leaders or participate in multiple NSG projects.
Your project will be evaluated based on the following goals:
- Community Connections and Engagement: How will your project cultivate relationships, deepen connections, and encourage interactions?
- Fostering Belonging and Community Responsibility: How does your project inspire a sense of ownership, agency, and care among neighbours?
- Skill Sharing and Knowledge Exchange: How does your project create opportunities for neighbours to share skills, talents, or stories, helping everyone learn and grow together?
- Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility: How does your project ensure everyone feels welcomed, reduce barriers to participation, and connect people from different backgrounds and experiences?
- Budget Feasibility and Responsibility: Is your budget clear, realistic and and aligned with funding guidelines to make the most of the grant and benefit the community?
Each section is scored on a scale of up to five points.
Application Review
The NSG Advisory Committee, made up of former project leaders and community champions, plays a key role in reviewing applications. Everyone is welcome to join their local advisory committee and help shape the program—even current applicants can get involved!
Key Dates
Get inspired by past NSG projects—explore their stories and photos!
2024 South Okanagan Similkameen Stories
Neighbourhood Small Grants is co-funded by the Community Foundation of South Okanagan Similkameen and the Vancouver Foundation, with the City of Penticton also contributing to support local residents. Additionally, CFSOS serves as a provincial lead partner in expanding the NSG program.
For any questions about the program, please email your inquiries to kimenglish@cfso.net
