Inspiring Community Grants

You are eligible to apply for an Inspiring Community Grant if you are:

• Students, faculty, staff at UBC Vancouver
• Residents (children and adults) from Musqueam, University Neighbourhood Association (UNA), or Acadia Park Residence.

This grant supports projects led by individuals or groups. Families or informal community groups (student or community clubs, PACs, etc.) are welcome to apply.

Businesses, registered organizations and non-profits are not eligible to apply.

If you are not eligible or are a member of the UBC Okanagan community, please look through the NSG network for a neighbourhood grant program in your community.

With the belief that small ideas can start a ripple to make big impacts, this grant is intended for small community-building projects.

Eligible projects are those that create a sense of community for UBC, UNA, Musqueam community members, and meet these objectives:

• Provide social connection opportunities for people to meet
• Facilitate community-led cultural, knowledge or skill exchange
• Inspire others to get involved in their community

All projects must adhere to the latest UBC and BC Government’s public health guidelines.

Before applying, please review the guidelines to ensure this grant can fund your project:

• This grant will only fund small projects that fulfill the community-building objectives listed above (see Eligible projects).
• Large projects (i.e. festival-style events) are expected to focus on a specific neighbourhood or community, and must demonstrate an activity within the event that helps community members to develop or strengthen relationships.
• Projects awarded funding must launch by December 31, 2023 and complete by March 1, 2024.
• Applicants should submit their application a minimum 3 of weeks before the project launch date. The review process can take up to 10 business days, followed by an additional week to register with UBC Finance to recieve the funds.
• In-person projects can only take place on UBC Vancouver campus, UNA or Musqueam.
• Projects must provide free participation to members of the UBC Vancouver, Musqueam, UNA and Acadia Park communities.
• For groups that apply, including AMS clubs, the activities must be open to the community at large and not primarily serve the group membership.
• A previously funded project may be considered for funding up to three times as along as new components are added to the project. This grant will priortize funding new projects over previously-funded initiatives.
• An applicant may only apply for one project at a time and can re-apply for a new project once the first project is complete.
• A project may only be awarded a grant from UTown@UBC or NSG, and not both.
• Recipients must keep original receipts of all expenses and submit copies in a report upon completing the project.
• Any unused funds must be returned to Campus and Community Planning at the end of the grant cycle. Instructions will be provided.

To support the idea that small is beautiful, the budget of each application is expected to be under $500. Projects can ask for in-kind donations or financial support from other sources, as long as the scale of the project remains within the grant guidelines.

This grant can be used to fund these expenses for your project:

• Supplies, transportation, professional services, and acknowledging services provided by others in the form of an honorarium.
• An honorarium is a small fee paid for a service, in which it is acknowledged that the fee does not cover what would formally be paid for such a service. Honoraria can also be paid as a gesture of acknowledgement of services that don’t have a formal price attached to them. There is no limit to the number of honoraria awarded, but the maximum amount awarded to each individual is $100 (exceptions can be requested). Please list the name(s) of the recipient(s) in your application.
• Project leaders are encouraged to shop local and make sustainable purchases, as well as look for opportunities to rent and borrow.

This grant can NOT be used for:

• Existing projects that have taken place or are happening. The project, including any promotions, can only start after the grant has been awarded.
• Costs that would be covered by other UBC departmental budgets
• Expenses that primarily serve the membership of a club and group
• Any on-going administrative or operational expenses
• Equipment and furniture purchases
• Donations or fundraising
• Applicants cannot profit financially from their projects or award themselves an honorarium

Gather inspiration for your project through stories with project leaders and the recipient lists from past grant cycles. 

Check out what past community members have to say about hosting a project for the community:

“Thank you so much for this initiative of funding ideas. I loved it and the people as well.  When can I apply again?”

“This was a really great opportunity and I was very glad to be able to share my skills with the community.”

“I truly enjoyed implementing this project and I appreciate the support from staff and the community gave me to make this project come to fruition. Thank you so much!”