Community and Neighborhood Grants

The Community and Neighborhood Grants Program supports local efforts to:

• Build and strengthen community connections
• Encourage partnerships between groups
• Empower residents to take meaningful action in their community

Grant applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Grants will be awarded in March, June, August and October, or until funding runs out. Please submit your application with enough time for approval and planning. The City cannot award grant funds to events or programs that have already happened. Please review the eligibility criteria and information below before applying.

View an application workshop

Office of Neighborhoods staff is providing training and support to interested community members through a series of application workshops.

For questions or help filling out an application, please contact the Office of Neighborhoods at neighborhoods@cityofvancouver.us.

Grant Recipients

Grant recipients announced March 2024

• A Caring Closet: Electric Wheelchair Battery Replacement Fund – $9,000
• According to His Word Outreach: BIPOC Community Support Program – $10,000
• Burnt Bridge Creek Neighborhood Association: End of the Summer Neighborhood Picnic – $500
• Cambodian-American Community of Oregon (CACO): CACO Summer Community Picnic & Volunteer Training – $5,000
• Cascade Highlands Neighborhood Association: Park Benches – $1,000
• Chess for Success: Chess for Success Vancouver After School Programs – $10,000
• Emerald Landing Neighborhood Association: Neighborhood Ice Cream Social and Coffee or Smoothie gathering – $1,100
• First Place Neighborhood Association: 2024 First Place Neighborhood Association Summer Family Picnic – $500
• Foundation for Vancouver Public Schools: The Plaza – a hub to welcome new non-English speaking residents in Vancouver – $9,000
• Fourth Plain Forward: Unveiling of Mother Camas Celebration – $7,400
• Friends of the Children – SW Washington: Future in Focus: Youth Photo Exhibition for Career and Community Exploration – $5,000
• Greater Vancouver Chamber: Lemon University! Bringing Lemonade Day to our neighborhoods –$10,000
• Harney Heights Neighborhood Association: Harney Heights Summer BBQ – $1,500
• I.F. Robotics: I.F Robotics Team, FTC #21336 – $2,000
• Latino Leadership NW: The Power of Language – $8,150
• Lincoln Neighborhood Association: Lincoln Neighborhood Native Plant Giveaway – $500
• Meadow Homes Neighborhood Association: neighborhood cleanup/neighborhood social – $500
• Northfield Neighborhood Association: Northfield Neighborhood Annual Community Picnic – $500
• Police Activities League of Southwest Washington: Safety City 2024 – $7,140
• Queer Youth Resource Center: Vancouver’s Pride Block Party – $10,000
• River City Church: Supporting Under-Resourced Immigrant Moms, Foster Teens, and Refugee Families Through Serve Days – $10,000
• Shumway Neighborhood Association: Shumway Events Grant – $1,025
• Southwest Washington Victory Food Project: Southwest Washington Victory Food Project – $10,000
• Support For Early Learning and Families: Child Care Provider Appreciation Event – $500
• Support For Early Learning and Families: ECE Family Community Event – $500
• The Foundation WA Insight to Foresight: Youth Development Summer Workshop – $10,000
• The Salvation Army, a California Corporation DBA The Salvation Army Vancouver Corps: The Salvation Army Vancouver After School Program – $10,000
• Vancouver Ballet Folklorico: Dancing Together for a Joyful and Vibrant Community 2024-2025 – $10,000
• Vancouver Farmers Market: Farmers Market Tours: Increasing food security and inclusive spaces for diverse communities – $10,000
• Woodland Meadows Neighborhood Association: Woodland Meadows 2024 Events and Advocacy – $2,685

Grant recipients announced June 2024

• Arnada Neighborhood Association – A Day Out in the Park – $500
• Bagley Downs Neighborhood Association – Back to School Bash at Bagley Community Park – $500
• Bella Vista Neighborhood Association – Native Plant Hedgerow Demonstration and Give-away – $500
• Cloth + Foster – School Supply Stop By! Foster family & Caregiver Back to School Event – $500
• Cloth + Foster – Annual Foster Family and Caregiver Holiday Party – $500
• Community AME Zion Church – 2024 Summer Fun and Back to School Prep Program – $500
• COUNTRYSIDE WOODS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION – National Night Out – $500
• Eleanor Roosevelt Elementary School PTA – Back to School Neighbors Meet-Up – $500
• Family Rhythms – Summer Sensory Days – $500
• Furry friends – Free cat vaccination Clinic – $500
• Good Shepherd Lutheran Church – Parkway East Neighborhood Block Party – $500
• Harney Heights Neighborhood Association – Harney Heights Neighborhood Tree of Heaven Treatment Plan – $500
• Inner Beauty in U – PATHWAYS TO RESILIENCE AND EMPOWERMENT – $500
• Jeff Kessenich – Invasive Tree Eradication – $500
• Kaleidoscope Artist and Crafter Collective – Kaleidoscope Artist and Crafter Collective – $500
• Linda Albright-Campbell C/O Rose Village Neighborhood Association – Rose Village Cleanup Day and Native Plant Giveaway – $500
• Live Love Outreach – Community Resource Fair and BBQ – $500
• Marrion Neighborhood Association – Marrion Neighborhood Summer Gathering – $500
• Meals on Wheels People – Meals on Wheels People Vancouver Grocery Home Delivery – $500
• Metropolitan Performing Arts – Season Launch Party – $500
• Northcrest Neighborhood Association – Funding for Northcrest Neighborhood Clean-up – $500
• Northwest Association for Blind Athletes (NWABA) – NWABA’s Day of Paddle Sports & Picnicking in Vancouver – $500
• Parkway East Neighborhood Association – Event Announcement Street Signs – $500
• Riveridge Neighborhood Association – Riveridge Ice Cream Social – $500
• Riveridge Neighborhood Association – Entrance Sign Project – $500
• Slopoks – Uptown Village Show and Shine hosted by the Slopoks – $500
• Vancouver Bee Project – Native Plant Library – $500
• Vietnamese Community of Clark County – Viet Innovation Club Expansion – $500
• Woodland Meadows Neighborhood Association – Promote! Woodland Meadows N.A. – $500
• Youth and Family Link – Connecting Across Cultures – $500

Grant recipients announced August 2024

• Countryside Woods Neighborhood Associations, Countryside Woods Annual Neighborhood Picnic – $500
• Fort Vancouver High School Boosters, Back to School at Fort Vancouver High School – $500
• Fourth Plain Village Neighborhood Association, FPVNA Special Events- Neighborhood Picnic/Block Party, Litter Clean Up and Bike Rodeo – $500
• Hough Elementary PTSA, Monster Mash Bash for Under-Resourced Elementary Students – $500
• Paulie Villard, McKibbins Commons Father Blanchett Neighborhood Picnic – $500
• ALS Northwest, Vancouver ALS Support Group – $500
• The Historic Trust, Grant House 175th Birthday – $500

Eligibility

Groups that are working to support community-building within the Vancouver city limits or urban growth area are eligible to apply. Eligible organizations include:

• Nonprofits
• Community-based organizations
• Neighborhood associations
• Clubs
• Parent-teacher groups such as PTA, PTO and PTSA Groups
• Informal groups, partnerships or collaboratives

The following organizations are not eligible to apply:

• Government agencies (including county agencies, schools or special districts)
• For-profit businesses
• Political organizations

How Funds Can Be Used

Grant funds can be used to pay for:

• Materials, supplies or equipment used for an event, project or program
• Event rental fees
• Insurance policies
• Food or nonalcoholic beverages
• Professional services, such as translation, interpretation, facilitation, design, art, printing, advertising, etc.

Grant funds cannot be used to pay for:

• Purchase of real property or capital improvements
• Utility bills
• Salaries for staff
• Alcohol, marijuana or any illegal substances
• Political activities
• Fundraising events
• Events that cost money to attend

Application Process

Grant applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Grants will be awarded in March, June, August and October, or until funding runs out. Please submit your application with enough time for approval and planning. The City cannot award grant funds to events or programs that have already happened.

View a workshop recording for more information, including how to complete an application.

If you would like help filling out an application, please contact the Office of Neighborhoods at neighborhoods@cityofvancouver.us.

Funding Amounts

The grant program offers two levels of funding:

Level One Microgrants

Up to $500 to support smaller-scale projects and events such as block parties, picnics, carnivals, cultural and community celebrations, education events, or arts activities. Up to $40,000 is available for Level One Microgrants.

Level Two Grants

Up to $10,000 to support larger-scale projects and ongoing programs. These could include after-school, educational or youth sports programs, ongoing arts programs, neighborhood beautification, safety improvements, food assistance programs and any manner of programs aimed at improving equity, accessibility and inclusion in historically underserved parts of Vancouver. Up to $160,000 is available for Level Two Grants.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

Need

The project will address a community need that is not currently being met

Support for Priorities and Core Values:

The project aligns with:

• City Council priorities (Community Safety, Climate Action, Diversity Equity and Inclusion)
• Focus areas identified in the City’s Strategic Plan:
  • Transportation and Mobility
  • Economic Opportunity
  • Housing and Human Needs
  • Vibrant and Distinct Neighborhoods
  • Culture and Heritage
  • Safe and Prepared Community
  • Climate and Natural Systems
  • High Performing Government

  Equity and Inclusion

  The project will benefit or engage:

  • Historically underserved communities
  • Areas of our community identified by the City of Vancouver’s Equity Index
  • Neighborhoods with poor access to community spaces or services
  • A diverse group of community members across age, race, ethnicity, religion, income, language, sexual orientation or gender identity and expression

  Community Involvement

  The applicant will partner with community groups, organizations or other stakeholders to ensure project success.

  Community Impact

  The project will:

  • Build or strengthen community connections
  • Empower residents to take meaningful action in their community
  • Lead to community benefits for people who live or work in Vancouver

  Reporting and Accountability

  Grant recipients must complete an impact and outcome report within 30 days of their project’s conclusion. The report will include an evaluation of outcomes, the number of people engaged and describe how money was spent. Recipients who fail to submit an impact and outcome report may be ineligible to apply for future grants through the City of Vancouver.