Social gatherings, improvement projects or skill workshops.
Coquitlam is looking to support these types of neighbourhood events that aim to gather and connect local residents through an annual partnered funding program with the city and the Coquitlam Foundation among others.
Until April 18, interested applicants "of all ages" for Coquitlam's Neighbourhood Small Grants (NSG) initiative could receive up to $500 to host a gathering.
The cash is aimed to tackle social isolation and build stronger communities, according to NSG coordinators Cherie Layne and Ami Goshalia.
"Neighbourhood Small Grants remove financial barriers for projects that connect people, whether in a neighbourhood, building or group with a common interest," they said in a news release, noting successful residents never have to pay back the grant money.
"The aim is to make Coquitlam's neighbourhoods places where people know and help each other, celebrate together and work as a team to make their community a better place to live."
Previous grants have been used to host:
- workshops
- social events
- gardening and history projects
- book and game exchanges
- seniors outreach
The NSG program began in 1999 and is delivered alongside the Vancouver Foundation and the Association of Neighbourhood Houses of BC.
Funding to cover project expenses such as products, transportation and honorariums is for individuals or informal groups only as businesses and registered organizations are not eligible for this particular grant.
The events or activities organized must be free for the neighbourhood or offered with a small optional donation.
A grant committee will review applications after the April 18 deadline, the city said, and successful applicants will be informed in May and receive a cheque for the funding roughly two weeks later.
For more information and to apply for a $500 grant, you can visit the Coquitlam NSG website.
