Up to $15,000 for Pilot Projects and up to $25,000 for Capital Projects

We will be accepting letters of intent via our online portal from February 9th – March 23rd, 2026.

Give Where You Live Fund recipient organizations must:

• Be a registered charity or other qualified done defined under the Income Tax Act;
• Operate within the geographical boundaries of Nanaimo-Ladysmith School District 68, which includes the communities of Nanaimo, Ladysmith, Cedar,
• Gabriola Island and Lantzville;
• Demonstrate fiscal responsibility and effective management;
• Demonstrate inclusiveness and respect for diversity and equity.

Our Approach: Trust-Based Philanthropy

The Give Where You Live Grant Program is grounded in a partnership approach to grantmaking. We recognize the expertise, lived experience, and leadership of community organizations and aim to reduce barriers to accessing funding.

Our commitments include:

• Mutual trust and respect
  We value community knowledge and leadership.

• Flexibility
  Funding can support project, staffing, and administrative costs essential to success.

• Reduced burden
  Application and reporting requirements are proportionate and focused on learning.

• Transparency and partnership
  We prioritize open dialogue, shared learning, and accountability.

• Equity and inclusion
  We seek to address systemic barriers and support organizations serving equity-deserving communities.

Funding Streams

GWYL grants are available through two streams:

Capital Projects

Capital projects help maintain, improve, or acquire tangible assets that provide long-term community benefit.

Examples include:

• Construction, expansion, renovation, or replacement of facilities

• Purchase of equipment or assets with a useful life of at least 10 years

• Major maintenance or rehabilitation that extends the life or value of an asset

Eligible costs may include professional fees (e.g., architectural, engineering, project management), staffing, and administrative expenses directly related to project delivery.

Maximum grant: $25,000

Pilot Projects

Pilot projects are time-limited initiatives designed to test, learn, and refine an approach before potential scaling or long-term investment.

Pilot projects:

• Explore new or innovative responses to community needs

• Allow for learning, adaptation, and iteration

• Include appropriate evaluation and reflection

Eligible costs may include program delivery, staffing, coordination, evaluation, and reasonable administrative overhead.

Maximum grant: $15,000

What Funding Can Support

GWYL grants recognize that effective community work requires more than just direct program expenses. Funding may be used for:

• Direct project or program costs

• Staffing and contractor costs essential to delivery

• Administrative and operational expenses related to the funded work

• Evaluation and learning activities

• Accessibility, inclusion, and community engagement costs

We acknowledge that staffing and administrative costs are legitimate and necessary components of sustainable community impact.

Eligibility

Applicant organizations must:

• Be a registered charity or other qualified donee under the Income Tax Act, or be sponsored by an eligible organization

• Operate within Nanaimo–Ladysmith School District 68 (Nanaimo, Ladysmith, Cedar, Gabriola Island, and Lantzville)

• Demonstrate sound governance and financial stewardship

• Demonstrate inclusiveness and respect for diversity, equity, and reconciliation

Funding Conditions & Reporting

Grants are awarded for clearly defined purposes and timeframes. We understand that projects evolve, and we encourage open communication if plans change — flexibility will be exercised wherever possible.

Multi-year funding (up to 24 months) may be considered. Capital projects are encouraged, but not required, to demonstrate leveraged funding, and traditional matching requirements may be adjusted.

Reporting is designed to support learning rather than compliance. Grantees will share brief reflections on progress, challenges, and learnings, along with confirmation that funds were used as intended. Conversational or narrative formats may be accepted.

Our Commitment

Nanaimo Foundation is committed to ongoing learning and partnership with the organizations we fund. We welcome feedback from applicants and grantees to ensure the Give Where You Live Grant Program continues to evolve and remain responsive to community needs.

Apply via our online portal. You will be asked to create an account. If you have any trouble or questions, please contact Chelsea Pope, Grants Coordinator: chelsea@nanaimofoundation.com or 250-816-9723.