Open Call for Grow Forward Grant 2026 (Canada)

Deadline: 16-Jul-2026

The Grow Forward Grant supports arts organizations in British Columbia’s Capital Region by funding strategic capacity-building and organizational development initiatives. The program provides up to $15,000 to help eligible not-for-profit arts organizations improve sustainability through planning, leadership development, restructuring, partnerships, and operational transformation.

The grant does not fund artistic programming directly. Instead, it focuses on strengthening internal systems, governance, and long-term organizational resilience.

Program Overview

The Grow Forward Grant is designed to help arts organizations adapt to changing sector conditions and build stronger long-term foundations.

It supports strategic work that improves how organizations operate, collaborate, and plan for the future. The emphasis is on organizational development rather than artistic output.

The program enables arts organizations to:

• Strengthen governance and leadership.
• Improve financial and operational sustainability.
• Plan for leadership transitions.
• Build partnerships and collaborations.
• Explore new organizational models.

Program Objectives

The Grow Forward Grant aims to:

• Strengthen arts organizational capacity.
• Support long-term strategic planning.
• Encourage leadership development and mentorship.
• Enable business model transformation.
• Support organizational restructuring and adaptation.
• Promote collaboration within and beyond the arts sector.
• Improve sustainability and resilience of arts organizations.
• Support succession planning and lifecycle transitions.

Key Focus Areas

Organizational Capacity-Building

The program supports initiatives that strengthen internal systems and capabilities.

This includes:

• Governance improvements
• Staff development
• Operational restructuring
• Financial planning systems
• Strategic planning processes

Strategic Planning and Future Development

Organizations are encouraged to plan for long-term sustainability.

Activities may include:

• Multi-year strategic plans
• Business model redesign
• Risk management frameworks
• Organizational assessments
• Future growth strategies

Leadership Development and Mentorship

The grant supports leadership strengthening within arts organizations.

Examples include:

• Executive leadership coaching
• Board development training
• Mentorship programs for leaders
• Skills development for management teams

Organizational Transformation

Funding may support structural or operational change initiatives such as:

• Organizational restructuring
• Mergers or partnerships
• Resource-sharing models
• Operational redesign

Cross-Sector and Sectoral Collaboration

The program encourages collaboration across organizations and industries.

This includes:

• Joint initiatives between arts organizations
• Partnerships with non-arts sectors
• Shared service models
• Regional capacity-building initiatives

Succession Planning and Lifecycle Management

The grant supports organizations undergoing leadership transitions or structural changes.

Examples include:

• Succession planning for founders or long-term leaders
• Transition planning for governance changes
• Organizational lifecycle assessments
• Closure planning where applicable

Funding Information

Maximum Grant Amount

The maximum funding available is:

$15,000

Funding is intended to support strategic and organizational development work, not artistic production.

Eligible Organizations

Applicants must meet strict eligibility criteria.

Eligible organizations must be:

• Not-for-profit societies registered in British Columbia.
• Arts-focused organizations with a primary arts mandate.
• Organizations with an active Board of Directors.
• Located within jurisdictions contributing to the Arts Development Service.
• Operating within eligible Capital Region jurisdictions.
• Organizations that have received at least one CRD Arts grant within the past three years.

Eligibility Requirements Explained

To qualify, organizations must demonstrate:

Legal and Governance Status

• Registered not-for-profit society status in British Columbia.
• Active governance through a Board of Directors.

Arts Mandate

• Arts must be the primary organizational focus.
• Activities must support the arts sector.

Regional Eligibility

• Must operate within designated Capital Region jurisdictions.
• Must conduct project activities within eligible areas.

Prior Funding Requirement

• Must have received at least one CRD Arts grant in the past three years.

Ineligible Activities

The grant does NOT support the following:

Artistic Programming

• Development of artistic works
• Delivery of performances or exhibitions
• Touring productions

Individual Artist Support

• Scholarships
• Residencies
• Mentorship programs for individual artists
• Contests or awards for individuals

Capital or Infrastructure Costs

• Major capital expenditures
• Infrastructure upgrades
• Basic website or app development

Financial Recovery

• Debt or deficit reduction
• Retrospective funding for completed activities

Fundraising Activities

• Fundraising campaigns or events
• Revenue-generation activities unrelated to capacity building

Examples of Eligible Projects

The following types of projects may be funded:

Strategic Organizational Planning

• Development of a 3–5 year strategic plan
• Organizational health assessments
• Governance restructuring plans

Leadership and Governance Development

• Board training programs
• Executive coaching
• Leadership transition frameworks

Structural Change Initiatives

• Merging with another arts organization
• Developing shared service agreements
• Restructuring departments or teams

Sector Collaboration Projects

• Regional arts consortium development
• Cross-sector partnerships with education or business
• Shared infrastructure planning

Succession and Transition Planning

• Leadership succession frameworks
• Transition planning for retiring executives
• Organizational lifecycle strategy development

Why This Grant Matters

Arts organizations often face structural and financial challenges that limit long-term sustainability.

The Grow Forward Grant addresses these challenges by supporting:

• Stronger governance systems.
• More resilient organizational structures.
• Better long-term planning capacity.
• Improved collaboration across the arts sector.
• Sustainable leadership transitions.

By focusing on internal development rather than programming, the grant helps organizations build the foundation needed for future artistic success.

How to Apply

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Ensure your organization:

• Is a registered not-for-profit society in British Columbia.
• Has an arts-focused mandate.
• Operates within eligible Capital Region jurisdictions.
• Has prior CRD Arts funding experience.

Step 2: Identify Organizational Needs

Determine areas where capacity-building is needed, such as:

• Leadership development
• Strategic planning
• Governance improvement
• Structural change
• Partnerships or collaborations

Step 3: Develop a Strategic Proposal

Clearly outline:

• Organizational challenges or opportunities.
• Proposed strategic changes.
• Expected outcomes.
• External expertise required.

Step 4: Engage External Experts (if needed)

Funding may be used to hire:

• Consultants
• Facilitators
• Strategic advisors
• Organizational development specialists

Step 5: Submit Application

Provide a structured proposal aligned with program objectives and eligibility criteria.

Assessment Criteria

Applications are evaluated based on:

Strategic Impact

• Strength of proposed organizational change.
• Long-term sustainability benefits.

Organizational Need

• Evidence of capacity gaps or transition needs.

Feasibility

• Practicality of implementation plan.
• Realistic timelines and resources.

Sector Impact

• Benefits to the wider arts community.
• Potential for collaboration or knowledge sharing.

Alignment with Program Goals

• Focus on capacity-building rather than programming.
• Contribution to organizational resilience.

Tips for a Strong Application

To improve competitiveness:

• Focus on long-term organizational transformation.
• Clearly explain why change is needed.
• Demonstrate strong governance involvement.
• Show measurable capacity-building outcomes.
• Use external expertise strategically.
• Avoid framing the project as artistic production.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Proposing artistic programming projects.
• Requesting funding for performances or exhibitions.
• Focusing on individual artist development.
• Submitting unclear organizational goals.
• Ignoring eligibility requirements.
• Treating the grant as operational or deficit funding.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Grow Forward Grant?

It is a capacity-building grant for arts organizations in British Columbia focused on strategic development and organizational sustainability.

How much funding is available?

Eligible organizations can receive up to $15,000.

Can the grant fund artistic projects?

No. The program does not fund artistic programming, performances, or exhibitions.

Who can apply?

Registered not-for-profit arts organizations in British Columbia’s Capital Region that meet eligibility criteria.

What types of activities are supported?

Activities include strategic planning, leadership development, restructuring, partnerships, and succession planning.

Can individual artists apply?

No. The grant is for organizations only and does not support individual artists.

Can funding be used for websites or capital costs?

No. Basic website development and capital expenditures are not eligible.

Conclusion

The Grow Forward Grant is a strategic funding program designed to strengthen the long-term capacity and sustainability of arts organizations in British Columbia’s Capital Region. By supporting leadership development, organizational restructuring, partnerships, and strategic planning, the program enables arts organizations to adapt, grow, and remain resilient in a changing cultural landscape.

Rather than funding artistic output, the grant focuses on building stronger institutions that can better support future creative work and community impact.

For more information, visit Capital Regional District.