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Deadline: October 13, 2026.

Vital Community Grants 

About the Program 

Vital Community Grants are the Foundation’s small grants for local charities. These grants address immediate community needs, strengthen the non-profit sector, and help build a vital community for everyone.

This year’s theme, Building Equitable Impact, will prioritize grants to charities undertaking equity related initiatives such as improving accessibility, building community spaces that are welcoming, or creating a sense of belonging for equity deserving groups through their programs.

Participatory Grant Making

We expect up to eight eligible applicants will be invited to participate in a participatory grantmaking process that will meet as a granting circle over two half-day sessions, with a third session if necessary.

Additionally, those invited to participate in the granting circle will convene in the spring of 2027 to report back to each other on progress, successes, and lessons learned.

This year the Vital Community Grants will be a two-year commitment, as such, granting circle members will convene again in late 2027 or early 2028 to share needs and allocate a second round of funding.

This process requires time, energy, a willingness to listen and learn from others and the ability to participate collaboratively with diverse community partners.

Size of Grant

Over the past three years, the average Vital Community Grant was $8,560. Given the nature of participatory grantmaking, the amounts granted this year may vary according to the decision of the granting circle participants themselves. Grants are unrestricted and not project-specific although applicants may choose to focus their application on a particular program.

All charities participating in the granting circle will be guaranteed a grant of $1,000.

Eligibility

Eligible charities are invited to submit an expression of interest. Before you apply, please read the full eligibility details here. Applicants must meet all of the eligibility criteria in order for their expressions of interest to be considered.

How to Apply

Expressions of interest are only accepted through the Foundation’s online portal. If you do not already have an account, you can set up your login here.

Please find a tutorial for GLM here.

Expressions of interest must be submitted by October 13 at 5 pm.

Answers provided in the expression of interest may be shared with other applicants, the Foundation’s board, donors and the broader community.

 Please contact the Community Foundation at simal.iftikhar@cfgp.ca if you need any assistance or accommodations.