Photo: City of Vancouver

VANCOUVER City Council approved the first round of community services and social grants for 2026. $5.1M will go to non-profit organizations delivering essential services across the city.

This funding supports a broad range of programs—from neighbourhood houses and childcare supports to youth programming and climate action initiatives—that advance City priorities for a vibrant, equitable, safe and healthy city where everyone can thrive.

“Non-profit organizations play an important role in supporting people and strengthening neighbourhoods across Vancouver,” said Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim. “The initiatives supported today reflect the wide range of work happening in our city, from helping families and youth to building more inclusive and connected communities.”

Funding highlights:

$1.3M in neighbourhood house grants providing core operational and service funding for neighbourhood houses across Vancouver. The grants support programs, activities and services that advance the goals of the City’s recently renewed Healthy City Strategy.
$1.6M in core support grants to organizations that deliver essential social services and help mitigate conditions that create vulnerabilities for Vancouver residents. Recipients include Atira Women’s Resources Society, East Side Family Place, Family Services of Greater Vancouver, Thunderbird Neighbourhood Association and QMUNITY.
$620,000 in grants to childcare organizations including the Vancouver Society of Children’s Centres and Westcoast Family Centres Society, supporting operations, capital expansions and capacity-building initiatives.
$290,000 in community climate action grants for place-based, community-driven initiatives that advance the City’s Climate Emergency Action Plan and Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, while promoting equity and local resilience.

The City’s community services grants continue to be in high demand and staff work to ensure funding is allocated where it can have the greatest impact. You can read more about how City grants are distributed and the impact they have at Vancouver.ca/grant-impact.

“This funding helps us create welcoming, supportive spaces where families and neighbours can connect, build meaningful relationships and access the resources they need. The City’s Core Support Grant strengthens our programs and helps build ‘villages’—safe places where parents and children feel a sense of belonging, find trusted supports and form lasting connections. We’re deeply grateful for this partnership and its impact on our community,”  says Clara Kim, Family Drop-in Supervisor, Thunderbird Neighbourhood Association.

“We are profoundly grateful for the City of Vancouver’s continued investment in the wellbeing of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. This Core Support Grant strengthens our ability to provide vital programs and supports that help queer, trans and Two-Spirit people feel seen, safe and connected. With this funding, we can continue advancing equity, uplifting community voices and ensuring that everyone has access to inclusive, affirming resources,” says Michael Robach, Executive Director, QMUNITY.

To learn more, read the full council report here: https://council.vancouver.ca/20260310/documents/r5.pdf