Social Planning Grants

The Social Planning Grant program strives to encourage "a caring, healthy, accessible, inclusive, and safe community that empowers its community to realize their aspirations." (City Plan 2022)

The purpose of the Social Planning Grant program is to assist organizations in responding to issues of a social nature with initiatives that enhance social cohesion, address the root causes and effects of poverty, contribute to the vitality of our community, and foster social inclusion and social equity.

The City of Nanaimo's strategic funding priorities for the Social Planning Grant program support the desired outcomes and policies in City Plan, in particular, the project should contribute to City Plan's goal for 'A Healthy Nanaimo: Community Wellbeing & Livability'.

"A Healthy Nanaimo is about the wellbeing of all our residents and the livability of our city. A healthy city means that all people have the opportunity to access and maintain a high standard of living - regardless of their life stage, family composition, abilities, or socio-economic status. Nanaimo envisions a city where a person can live an entire lifetime, finding comfort and happiness in a safe and secure community with access to affordable housing, recreation, culture, and wellness services, healthy food, parks, nature, and education. A Healthy Nanaimo is where people are securely housed, fed, and cared for. It is a city where we can all thrive."

For more information on the goals and policies under "A Heathy Nanaimo", see City Plan pages 66 to 89.

About the Application Process

Eligibility Criteria 

Organizations applying for funding must be based in Nanaimo and/or be proposing a project that serves Nanaimo residents.

The following types of organizations are eligible to apply:

• A non-profit society incorporated under the BC Provincial Societies Act or federally designated as a registered charity;
• A recognized religious group with ongoing activities and a congregation; or,
• A neighbourhood association recognized by the municipality.

Ineligible Projects

Funds from the Social Planning Grants may not be used for the following purposes:

• Ongoing operational or administrative expenses incurred during the normal course of business through existing programs & services;
• Projects occurring outside the City of Nanaimo boundary; or
• Payment of pre-existing debts.

Projects will not be funded for more than two consecutive years, however an organization may submit an application for a separate project.

Ineligible Organizations

• Groups or organizations with outstanding balances owed to the City of Nanaimo.
• Organizations may not be eligible for Social Planning Grant funding if they have received other funding assistance through the City of Nanaimo within the same grant year period.

Grant Categories

There are two categories of Social Planning Grants, which are allocated on an annual basis:

Social Response Grants

• Intended for initiatives and projects of a more significant scope. The total budget available for this category is $60,000.

Community Vitality Grant

• Intended for events or projects of a smaller scale. The total budget available for this category is $25,000.

Assessment Criteria

Merit (30%)

• Quality of proposed project.
• The degree to which the proposed project has community support.

Relevance/Feasibility (40%)

• The degree to which the project supports the desired outcomes and policies in City Plan, in particular, those that contribute to City Plan's goal for A Healthy Nanaimo: Community Wellbeing & Livability.
• Demonstrated capacity to plan, administer and deliver the proposed project.

Potential Impact (30%)

• Impact to the residents of the City.
• The issue being addressed is of critical importance.

Adjudication Process

Applications must be received by the deadline. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. All applications are screened to determine eligibility and evaluated according to the assessment criteria. Recommendations will be made to the Finance & Audit Committee and then to Council for approval and distribution of funds. Council decisions are final.

Timeline

(Right click and open image in new tab to enlarge)

Terms & Conditions of Funding

Once disbursed, funding must be spent within the next 12 months and a final report must be provided at project completion or at the end of the 12-month period, whichever comes first. If the applicant chooses to submit an application for the following year, a final report regarding the previous project must be received prior to the submission of a new grant application. Please note that grants falling under the Social Response stream will be subject to a service agreement that includes interim reporting requirements.

The City of Nanaimo retains the right to rescind or reduce any grant previously awarded. The circumstances for rescinding or reducing a grant include but are not limited to:

• Failure to meet the terms and conditions of the grant or service agreement, if applicable;
• Failure to comply with legal obligations;
• Failure to respect the commitment to provide a workplace free from harassment, discrimination and sexual misconduct;
• Unapproved changes to funded activities;
• Significant risk of insolvency or bankruptcy.

Final Reporting

Grant recipients must complete the Social Planning Grant Report Back form when submitting their final report. Final reports must detail the project or event goals & outcomes, and activities undertaken, successes, challenges and lessons learned, and include budget details. Failure to provide a final report may result in the rejection of future funding applications.

• Social Planning Grants - Report Back Form

Payment

The City of Nanaimo will deliver awarded funds by direct deposit. To receive the funds by electronic funds transfer (EFT), the recipient must fill out and return the EFT form, along with a void cheque or verified account information printout from the applicable banking institution.

If for any reason a grant recipient cannot use the grant at the expected time, decides not to carry out the plans described in the grant application or refuses the grant conditions, the recipient must notify socialplanning@nanaimo.ca immediately. If a recipient is unable to complete the project or event, any unspent funds must be returned to the City of Nanaimo. Unused grant funds will not be carried over to the next calendar year. 

• Electronic Funds Transfer Form (EFT)

City Acknowledgment

Public acknowledgment of City support is required for all grant recipients. Please ensure all materials (including copies of reports, advertising, oral presentations, and all publicity relating to project(s) or programming credit the support of the City. Please ensure proper use of the City's logo when crediting the City's support. Requests for the City's logo can be sent to socialplanning@nanaimo.ca.

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more by reading the Social Planning Grants FAQ.

Apply for a Social Planning Grant

Applications will be reviewed starting September 23, 2024 and will close October 21, 2024 at 4:30 pm. You can find the Social Planning Grants application online. Paper applications will continue to be accepted. For all paper applications, please submit by filling out the following form. Paper copies of the application form can be filled out and sent to 411 Dunsmuir Street, Nanaimo, B.C.

• Social Planning Grants - Application Form

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