We're excited to announce our 2020 grant streams: Social Connectedness and Healthy Community Engagement! Up to 15 Social Connectedness grants of $5,000 and up to five Healthy Community Engagement grants of $15,000 are available to communities across British Columbia. Applications close April 6, so apply now.

Looking for more information about the grant application process or the type of projects we fund? Join us for a live Q&A session on Tuesday, March 10 at 10am PDT. We'll be walking through common questions about the application process and explaining what we're looking for in proposed projects.

When the Township of Langley began creating their Social Sustainability Strategy, they knew they needed input from a variety of groups, including some that were hard to reach. By making a conscious effort to reach those populations, including youth and rural residents, the Township was able to develop a robust plan that accounted for everyone's needs. Learn more about their engagement strategy.

A 2012 Vancouver Foundation survey found that loneliness, disconnection and isolation were top issues impacting residents. The Hey Neighbour! program aims to build social connection among residents of high-rise buildings (who make up 45 per cent of Vancouver's population) through design improvements, social programs and events. Read the success story.

Last minute call: The ParticipACTION Community Better Challenge is from June 1st to 21st, 2020 and communities can apply for up to $1,000 to help with activities during the challenge. Eligible applicants include community organizations, municipalities, schools, and Indigenous communities. The application deadline is February 28, 2020. For full application details, visit their website.

Eligible charities, non-profits and community co-operatives can apply for up to $150,000 in funding through the Co-op Community Spaces Program. This year's funding categories are Recreation, Environmental Conservation and Urban Agriculture. The goal of the Community Spaces Program is to improve community health and well-being by creating places for people to come together and build social connections. Learn more about the funding program.

Researchers from the University of Toronto, McGill University and Simon Fraser University have compiled a new report measuring where cycling in Canada has increased. The report also addresses key barriers to increasing community participation in cycling and notes actionable steps under the categories of policy, the built environment and the natural environment. Read the report.