Deadline: 15-Aug-2024
The LEVEL BIPOC Grants Program invests in the leadership capacity of BIPOC-led and BIPOC youth-led and/or youth-engaging organizations operating in B.C.
LEVEL BIPOC grants provide flexible, multi-year operational funding to BIPOC-led and BIPOC youth-led and/or youth-engaging organizations in B.C. These grants support BIPOC leaders by investing in the leadership capacity of Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (POC), acknowledging the barriers and inequitable access to reliable funding faced by BIPOC charities and registered non-profits in B.C.
This year, LEVEL BIPOC Grants will be distributed through two grant streams: BIPOC Leadership grant stream and BIPOC Youth Leadership grant stream. Both grant streams seek to distribute funding equitably amongst:
- Black-led and Indigenous-led organizations that continue to be disproportionately impacted by institutional and systemic racism.
- BIPOC-led organizations operating primarily within smaller population centres, rural and/or remote communities.
- BIPOC-led organizations operating primarily within large urban population centres; specifically, one or more of the municipalities within Metro Vancouver, the Capital Regional District and/or the Regional District of Central Okanagan.
Funding Information
- This year’s funding commitment is $9 million, with at least 60 grants available. Each award will be $150,000, divided into equal payments of $50,000 to be distributed over three years.
- These grants will be distributed through two grant streams: BIPOC Leadership and BIPOC Youth Leadership
- Within each grant stream:
- 40 grants are available through the BIPOC Leadership stream for BIPOC-led organizations who meet the eligibility criteria.
- 20 grants are available through the BIPOC Youth Leadership stream for BIPOC youth-led and/or youth-engaging organizations that meet the BIPOC Leadership eligibility criteria AND have a record and representation of Black, Indigenous and/or other POC youth in their decision-making.
Eligibility Criteria
- To be eligible for a LEVEL BIPOC grant through the BIPOC Leadership stream, organizations must identify as “BIPOC-led” and must ensure the following criteria are met:
- You are either a registered charity OR registered non-profit society (including community service co-operatives) operating in B.C. since January 1, 2024, and has (or will have) society incorporation or charitable registration by November 30, 2024,
- Your organization’s primary purpose is to operate for community benefit,
- Your organization is BIPOC-led, meaning at least two-thirds (67%) of your organization’s leadership team and/or board/non-conventional governance structures are held by individuals who self-identify as Black, Indigenous or People of Colour;
- Your organization provides benefit to BIPOC communities in B.C. in ways that recognize the multiple, intersectional forms of systemic oppression that these communities face; and,
- Your organization has governance, sustainability, and community accountability practices in place.
- To be eligible for a LEVEL BIPOC grant through the BIPOC Youth Leadership stream, organizations must meet the following criteria:
- At least two-thirds (67%) of its leadership positions (Board of Directors and/or leadership team if staff are employed and/or any other unconventional governance structure that influences operational and strategic decision-making) are held by people who self-identify as Black, Indigenous or People of Colour AND are aged 19-30 years old and,
- Your organization’s governance structure actively empowers BIPOC youth to significantly influence the organization’s policies, practices, strategies and decision-making processes (beyond advisory or consulting roles).
Ineligible
- Non-BIPOC-led organizations
- Funded activities and/or initiatives that do not benefit the populations of BIPOC communities in BC.
- Endowment funds or capital campaigns
- Activities and programs that take place primarily outside of BC
- Operating deficits or after-the-fact support
- Debt retirement
- Monetary reserves
- Mortgage pay-downs
- Large public infrastructure project
For more information, visit Vancouver Foundation.