Apply for a grant up to $40,000
The Sunshine Coast Foundation will be offering grants of up to $40,000 to local organizations that contribute to community prosperity. The program will be called the Sunshine Coast Prosperity Fund, and it will distribute a total of $220,000 in funding in the first quarter of 2025.
The Sunshine Coast Prosperity Fund is funded by the Government of British Columbia through the Community Prosperity Fund, a $25 million investment announced on B.C. Nonprofit Day.
The Sunshine Coast Prosperity Fund will give local organizations the space to complete their best work by providing them with the financial stability to plan longer-term projects, making it easier to focus on impactful outcomes rather than short term fundraising.
KEY DATES
Applications Open
→ January 15, 2025 at 9:00 AM PST
Applications Close
→ February 5, 2025 at 5:00 PM PST
Applications Reviewed
→ Between February 5–24, 2025
Applicants Notified
→ No later than February 28, 2025
First 50% of Funding Distributed
→ By March 31, 2025*
Activities Can Begin
→ From April 1, 2025
Activities Must End
→ No later than June 30, 2027**
*See ‘Interim Check-In’ section below for more information about the payment of the second 50%.
**See ‘Timeline of Activities’ section below for more information on minimum and maximum length of activities.
ELIGIBILITY – ORGANIZATIONS
Eligible Organizations
Qualified Donees are eligible to apply for funding through the Sunshine Coast Prosperity Fund.
Non-Qualified Donees must partner with a Collaborating Organization to apply for funding.
Qualified Donees
Charities and Indigenous-serving organizations performing a function of government registered with the CRA are considered Qualified Donees.
A Qualified Donee can issue official donation receipts for gifts it receives from individuals and corporations. See CRA definition here.
Qualified Donees can apply directly to the Sunshine Coast Prosperity Fund.
Non-Qualified Donees
Incorporated non-profits registered with the Government of B.C. or federally incorporated.
Indigenous-serving organizations listed by the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations or the Government of B.C.
Non-Qualified Donees cannot apply directly to the Sunshine Coast Prosperity Fund. See ‘Your Application’ section below for more information.
Ineligible Organizations
The following organizations cannot apply, directly or indirectly, for funding through the Sunshine Coast Prosperity Fund:
✗ For-profit organizations
✗ Unincorporated nonprofits
✗ Recipients of the Lighthouse Organizations Fund or Recovery & Resilience Fund or Level BIPOC Grants
✗ Business non-profit institutions, including business associations, chambers of commerce and condominium associations
✗ Organizations that provide provincial services, including hospitals, medical centres, schools (both public and private), universities, colleges and regional health authorities***
✗ Local governments and regional districts, and organizations that are financially managed by them***
***These ineligible organizations can act as Collaborating Organizations for Non-Qualified Donees, if they themselves are a Qualified Donee. See ‘Your Application’ section below for more information.
ELIGIBILITY – ACTIVITIES
Eligible Activities
Funding can support operational expenses or project delivery that contribute to community prosperity.
You get to decide what would benefit your organization most so that you can advance your activities and the incredible work that benefits our community.
We’ve included some project examples below, but please know, the list is not exhaustive.
Activity Examples:
・A charity that supports youth with financial literacy is applying to improve its online platform and provide additional webinars on financial literacy.
・An Indigenous-serving organization is applying so that they can support language revitalization programs.
・A charity that focuses on local food security is applying to expand its food redistribution program.
・A charity that focuses on jobs for new immigrants is applying so they can continue to pay their rent and operate out of the same building.
・An Indigenous-serving organization is applying to develop a coalition on food security in their region.|
・A charity that provides mental health and addiction services is applying to create a branch-out program for new mothers experiencing addiction.
Ineligible Activities
✗ Activities that take place outside the Sunshine Coast, British Columbia
✗ Major capital activities, including building infrastructure, purchasing land or buildings
✗ Partisan, political or election-related activities
✗ Activities that generate a profit, including direct fundraising activities or events
✗ Activities that benefit only private interests
✗ Activities that undermine, restrict or infringe on human rights legally protected in Canada
✗ Sub-granting activities
✗ Sponsorship, endowment funds, and donations
ELIGIBILITY – EXPENSES
Eligible Expenses
✓ Expenses can begin April 1, 2025 and continue to June 30, 2027, when all activities must be completed
✓ Staff salaries and employment-related costs
✓ Contractors and fees for professional services
✓ Materials and supplies
✓ Equipment
✓ Travel expenses
✓ Training and events
✓ Rent
✓ Gift cards
✓ Honorariums
✓ Transit passes
✓ Administration
Ineligible Expenses
✗ Expenses incurred before April 1, 2025
✗ Expenses incurred after June 30, 2027
✗ Expenses that have already been paid for by another funding source (Organizations may receive funding from other sources, but those funds may not cover the same expenses)
✗ Purchasing land or buildings, real estate fees and related costs
✗ Setting aside funds for losses or potential future liabilities and contingencies
✗ Legal penalties, including fines and other punitive measures
✗ Taxes for which an organization is eligible for a tax rebate
✗ Individual membership fees for private clubs (e.g., golf clubs, gyms)
✗ Costs associated with profit-making activities, including fundraising activities
✗ The financing of deficits
✗ The purchase or sale of alcohol or cannabis, financing related licenses or permits, or capital renovations or repairs to facilities or spaces used to sell alcohol or cannabis
✗ Political activities supporting or opposing any political party, elected representative, or candidate for public office
✗ Activities which are religious or include a requirement to participate in any dimensions of faith (for example, a church running a community-based kitchen can apply for supplies and staffing costs are eligible but not primarily religious activities)
✗ Capital renovations or repairs of premises used exclusively for religious observance or practice
✗ Activities, projects or services carried out or provided outside of Canada
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Interim Check-in
Organizations approved for funding will sign a funding agreement outlining their responsibilities for participating in the Sunshine Coast Prosperity Fund, including an interim check-in. The interim check-in will occur at the halfway point of an approved organization’s project timeline, as outlined in their application. At the interim check-in, approved organizations will share how activities are progressing and reflect on the impact of the funding to-date. Payment of the remaining 50% of funding will be made upon completion of an interim check-in. More information about the interim check-in will be provided in the funding agreement.
Timeline of Activities
In your application, you will be asked to provide a high-level timeline of your activities, including a start date and an end date. Activities can begin anytime from April 1, 2025, until your expected end date. PLEASE NOTE: activities must continue for a minimum of 12 months, which makes April 1, 2026, the earliest end date possible (presuming your activities will start on April 1, 2025). You may, however, choose to continue your activities over a longer period. Funding can be used to support your activities for up to 27 months, until June 30, 2027, at which point all activities must end.
YOUR APPLICATION
How to Apply
Organizations may submit one application for funding to a maximum amount of $40,000. Applications are accepted through our online application portal. The portal will open on January 15, 2025 at 9:00 AM PST and will not be available before then. If you’d like to prepare before the portal opens, a sample version of the application is available now to view and download (see ‘Downloads’ section below). This PDF will support your preparation; however, all applications must be submitted through the online portal.
PLEASE NOTE: Applying to the Sunshine Coast Prosperity Fund does not prevent an organization from submitting a Letter of Intent through the Foundation’s Community Grants program (e.g., the upcoming 2025 Responsive Community Grants stream is open to Sunshine Coast Prosperity Fund applicants).
Any organization approved for funding through the Sunshine Coast Prosperity Fund is not prevented from applying and/or securing Community Grants from the Foundation while their Sunshine Coast Prosperity Fund remains active.
Are you a Non-Qualified Donee?
Your application process will be slightly different depending on whether you are a Qualified Donee or a Non-Qualified Donee. Qualified Donees can apply directly to the Sunshine Coast Prosperity Fund, whereas Non-Qualified Donees will need to work in partnership with a Collaborating Organization to apply (see ‘Key Terms’ section below for definition.)
What does this mean?
The application must be filled out and submitted by the Collaborating Organization. All questions on the application will relate to the Collaborating Organization itself and should be answered as such. There will be a section on the application for the Collaborating Organization to provide the contact details of the Non-Qualified Donee they intend to engage as their intermediary.
If the Collaborating Organization is approved for funding:
・They will need to provide a collaboration agreement between their organization the Non-Qualified Donee (template provided).
・The Collaborating Organization will sign the Foundation’s funding agreement and complete the interim check-in.
・Payments will be issued from the Foundation to the Collaborating Organization.
・The Collaborating Organization will be responsible for disbursing funds to the Non-Qualified Donee.
SELECTION PROCESS
Reviewer Rubric
All applications from eligible organizations will be reviewed by a local Ad Hoc Grants Committee established by the Foundation. All applicants will receive notification of the outcome of their applications no later than February 28, 2025. The Ad Hoc Grants Committee will use a Reviewer Rubric to assist with the adjudication process and make funding recommendations to the Foundation’s Board of Directors. The Reviewer Rubric is available now to view and download (see ‘Downloads’ section below).
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT
We’re here to help!
Please contact the Foundation’s Communications & Grants Administrator, Emily Schach, with any questions by email: eschach@sunshinecoastfoundation.org
DOWNLOADS
Sample Application Form – view & download here
Reviewer Rubric – view & download here
KEY TERMS
COLLABORATING ORGANIZATION: A collaborating organization is a Qualified Donee who works in partnership with a Non-Qualified Donee and agrees to take on an application and its activities as its own and engages a Non-Qualified Donee as an intermediary to carry out the activities. The agreement should be made between organizations with a mutual alignment of values and missions. If an application with an agreement is successful, payment will be made to the Collaborating Organization, which will be responsible for disbursing funds to the Non-Qualified Donee.
EQUITY-DESERVING GROUPS: Equity-deserving groups are communities that have been historically denied equal access to opportunities, such as employment and education. They experience collective barriers, lack of access, and less power and privilege in society.
INDIGENOUS-SERVING ORGANIZATIONS: Indigenous-serving organizations include qualified donees, non-qualified donees, charities and non-profit organizations serving Indigenous peoples.
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS: In B.C., not-for-profit/non-profit organizations are known as societies. Societies are independent, democratic organizations that are required to comply with the Societies Act and their own constitution and bylaws. Societies do not earn any profits for its members. All money is donated to the organization’s cause or goal.
OPERATIONAL EXPENSES: Operational expenses cover operating costs that organizations require to function, such as rent, insurance, staff salaries, technology, etc.
QUALIFIED DONEE: Qualified donees are all organizations that are listed in the CRA’s database of qualified donees, and this includes registered charities. A qualified donee can issue official donation receipts for gifts it receives from individuals and corporations.