Deadline: 09-Feb-2026
The LEVEL BIPOC Grants Program offers multi-year, flexible operational funding to strengthen BIPOC-led and BIPOC youth-led or youth-engaging organizations in British Columbia. The program provides $150,000 over three years to support organizational sustainability, leadership capacity, and long-term community impact for organizations serving marginalized communities.
Overview
The LEVEL BIPOC Grants Program is a funding initiative designed to close persistent funding gaps faced by Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC)-led organizations in British Columbia.
The program prioritizes long-term stability over short-term project funding by offering unrestricted, multi-year operational support. This approach enables organizations to respond flexibly to community needs, strengthen internal capacity, and sustain essential programs and services.
The grants specifically support BIPOC-led organizations as well as BIPOC youth-led or youth-engaging non-profits working for community benefit across British Columbia.
Key Objectives of the Program
The LEVEL BIPOC Grants Program is structured around clear capacity-building and equity-focused goals.
Key objectives include:
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Increasing equitable access to funding for BIPOC-led and youth-led organizations
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Supporting long-term operational sustainability
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Strengthening leadership, governance, and organizational infrastructure
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Allowing organizations to focus on mission-driven work and community impact
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Reducing financial instability for organizations serving marginalized communities
Grant Amount and Funding Structure
LEVEL BIPOC Grants provide predictable, multi-year financial support.
Funding details:
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$50,000 per year
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Three-year funding term
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Total grant value of $150,000
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Flexible and unrestricted operational funding
This structure allows organizations to plan strategically rather than relying on short-term or project-specific grants.
Eligible Uses of Grant Funds
Organizations may allocate funds based on their unique priorities and operational needs.
Eligible uses include, but are not limited to:
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Core operating expenses
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Staff salaries and benefits
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Leadership and capacity-building initiatives
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Program and service delivery
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Employee assistance and wellness programs
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Technology upgrades and digital infrastructure
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Organizational development and systems improvement
The program intentionally avoids rigid spending categories to support adaptability and sustainability.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for a LEVEL BIPOC Grant, organizations must meet all eligibility criteria.
Organizational Requirements
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Be a registered charity or non-profit society
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Operate primarily for community benefit in British Columbia
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Have been operating in British Columbia since January 1, 2025
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Have formal incorporation or charitable registration in place, or planned, by April 30, 2026
Leadership and Governance Requirements
A BIPOC-led organization is defined as one where:
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At least two-thirds (66%) of leadership or board positions are held by individuals who self-identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Colour
For volunteer-run organizations:
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All board or governance roles are considered leadership positions for eligibility purposes
Why This Grant Matters
Many BIPOC-led organizations face systemic barriers to accessing consistent and adequate funding.
This program matters because it:
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Addresses long-standing funding inequities
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Supports organizational stability rather than short-term outputs
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Recognizes the importance of leadership development and governance strength
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Enables organizations to serve communities more effectively and sustainably
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Empowers BIPOC leaders to define priorities based on lived experience and community needs
How the LEVEL BIPOC Grants Program Works
Step-by-Step Overview
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Organizations confirm eligibility based on leadership, location, and registration status
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Applicants identify organizational priorities and funding needs
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Applications focus on sustainability, leadership capacity, and community impact
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Selected organizations receive $50,000 annually for three years
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Funds are used flexibly to strengthen operations and programs over time
Tips for a Strong Application
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Clearly demonstrate BIPOC leadership and governance composition
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Explain how multi-year funding will improve sustainability and impact
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Focus on organizational capacity, not just individual programs
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Show alignment between community needs and organizational mission
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Be specific about how flexible funding will be used strategically
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Focusing only on short-term project outcomes
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Providing unclear or inconsistent leadership information
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Underexplaining how funds support long-term sustainability
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Treating the grant as program-restricted rather than operational support
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Failing to connect funding needs to community impact
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the total value of the LEVEL BIPOC Grant?
The grant provides $150,000 in total, distributed as $50,000 per year over three years.
2. Is the funding restricted to specific activities?
No. The funding is flexible and can be used for a wide range of operational and capacity-building needs.
3. What qualifies an organization as BIPOC-led?
At least two-thirds of leadership or board members must self-identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Colour.
4. Can youth-led or youth-engaging organizations apply?
Yes. BIPOC youth-led and youth-engaging organizations are explicitly supported under this program.
5. Do organizations need to be fully registered at the time of application?
Organizations must be operating in British Columbia and must have, or plan to have, formal incorporation or charitable registration by April 30, 2026.
6. Is the grant available outside British Columbia?
No. Eligible organizations must operate primarily within British Columbia.
7. Can volunteer-run organizations apply?
Yes. For volunteer-run organizations, all governance roles are considered leadership positions for eligibility assessment.
Conclusion
The LEVEL BIPOC Grants Program delivers meaningful, long-term funding to BIPOC-led organizations working at the heart of British Columbia’s communities.
By offering flexible, multi-year operational support, the program strengthens leadership capacity, promotes sustainability, and enables organizations to focus on lasting community impact rather than short-term survival.
For more information, visit The Vancouver Foundation.