Phone: 604-683-2554 | Email: welcome@gordonhouse.org
Do you have a small project idea that could make a positive impact in our neighbourhood? Online applications are now open for Neighbourhood Small Grants, Youth Neighbourhood Small Grants and Greenest City Neighbourhood Small Grants.
The Neighbourhood Small Grants (NSG) program is a grassroots initiative that helps residents of any age, experience, or background take part in building community. We provide grants up to $500 to neighbours who have small but powerful ideas that will make our community better.
Grants are awarded to projects that: connect and engage residents, share residents’ skills and knowledge within the community, build a sense of ownership and pride, and respect and celebrate diversity.
These grants are available to everyone. We believe neighbours are the experts on their community, and we all have ideas on how we can make our community better and more resilient.
Gordon Neighbourhood House coordinates this program for all residents living on the Downtown Peninsula. This includes the neighbourhoods of: West End, Coal Harbour, Davie Village, Downtown, and Yaletown. If you apply in Downtown, you must live in Downtown, and your project must take place Downtown.
We have supported hundreds of neighbours who have taken steps to improve our neighbourhoods—people just like you. Please contact us if you have a specific question, need support completing the application form, require translation, or would like to learn more. This is a great opportunity to get involved in your community.
Contact Details: For more information, email Luc Desrochers luc@gordonhouse.org, Downtown Peninsula NSG Coordinator, or call the GNH front desk (604) 683-2554.
Examples of Previous Projects Have Included:
- Thai cooking lessons
- Block parties
- Reiki classes
- Seniors lunches
- Harry Potter wand-making workshops for kids
- Piñata workshops
- Outdoor concerts
- Russian-Ukrainian social clubs
- Games nights, film nights, and book clubs
- Drag queens storytime for kids
- Apartment building social events
- Rooftop, boulevard, and community gardens
- Soap-making workshops
- Bike maintenance sessions and communal apartment building tool kits
- Art shows
- Virtual Aquafit classes
- Sewing, embroidery, and screen printing tutorial
- Care package deliveries to Seniors
- These ideas are just a starting place.
Eligibility & Frequently Asked Questions
Because connected communities are stronger communities—even if we must be temporarily physically distanced. Interactions with our neighbours not only make the city a little friendlier, they make our community safer, more vibrant, and resilient too.
The NSG program is funded by Vancouver Foundation and operates in communities throughout British Columbia. Gordon Neighbourhood House is responsible for administering this grassroots program for everyone who lives on the downtown peninsula, including the West End, Yaletown, Coal Harbour, Downtown South, and the Central Business District.
We’ve funded projects led by residents as young as ten, in addition to neighbours well into their nineties. Some project Leaders have lived in our community for 30+ years, whereas others have moved here less than a year ago.
Neighbours can apply online, or request a paper copy of the application form. If you require assistance with the application we are more than happy to help every step of the way!
- Names of Project Leader (individuals or group coordinating the project)
- Contact details for Project Leader
- A brief description of your project describing what you plan on doing and what you hope to achieve (a few sentences is fine)
- A simple budget detailing what do you plan on using the money for (eg. Paint, $25.00)
- That’s it!
All applications are reviewed by a committee of local neighbours who provide helpful suggestions, and ensure the projects meet our program goals. Our committee will work with you to find ways to get your project approved and make it successful.
We have lots of helpful resources and tools to share to support your project planning and coordination. We can even connect you with a previous Project Leader with similar experience that may be able to provide advice and support.
We encourage neighbours to try something new, and believe that failure is not the opposite of achievement, but rather the path to success. While we hope that all projects succeed, we understand that sometimes not every project turns out as expected. We also understand that life circumstances can change. If a Project Leader is unable to complete their project before the end of the year, we simply ask that you return the funds before the end of the year?
Many Project Leaders tell us that by hosting a project they have met new neighbours and made new friends, experience pride and accomplishment, feel a stronger sense of belonging, and make a positive difference in their community.
