Community grants open to local nonprofits until November 16
The Squamish Community Foundation is taking applications for 2027 Community Enhancement Grants on behalf of the District. Eligible projects include neighbourhood events, youth programs, reconciliation, recreation and climate action. Arts projects apply to Squamish Arts instead, and a group can receive one grant or the other.
What changesNonprofits and charities are eligible. Individuals and businesses are not.
What the grants are for
The District of Squamish runs a Community Enhancement Grant program. It gives money to nonprofit and charitable groups for projects that improve life for people in Squamish. The Squamish Community Foundation runs the program for council. Applications for 2027 grants are open now, and the deadline is November 16.
The program supports the District's Official Community Plan. The goal is a more liveable, healthy, engaged, connected and resilient community.
Projects can fit into any of these areas:
- Decolonization and reconciliation
- Community and neighbourhood events
- Programs that bring different generations together
- Better connections between neighbourhoods
- Caring for the environment, sustainability or climate action
- Diversity, equity and inclusion programs
- Physical health, mental health or social wellbeing
- Projects led by youth
- Social services for people in Squamish who are vulnerable
- Recreation programs
Who can apply
Nonprofits and charities can apply. Individuals and businesses cannot.
The District works with two local groups on its grants. Projects about arts or culture should apply to the Arts and Culture Grant from Squamish Arts instead. A group can get money from only one of the two programs. If a project could fit both, the group can email info@squamishartscouncil.com or info@squamishfoundation.com to find out which one to use.
How to apply
The 2027 application form and applicant guide can be downloaded from the Squamish Community Foundation website. Questions can go to info@squamishfoundation.com or 604-848-8683.
Groups that got a grant in 2026 must hand in a report by January 31, 2027. A report template is on the same page.
Who got money in 2026
In 2026, the program gave out a total of $115,900 to 32 organizations. Many groups got $2,000. Some of the larger amounts were:
- Squamish Helping Hands Society: $10,000
- PearlSpace Support Services Society: $8,000
- BIPOC Rocks: $5,700
- Squamish Climate Action Network: $5,500
- MakeWay Charitable Society, for the Átl'ka7tsem / Howe Sound Marine Stewardship Initiative: $5,000
- Sea to Sky Community Services, for Healthy Pregnancy Outreach: $5,000
- Squamish Search and Rescue: $5,000
- Bike Society of Squamish: $4,500
Other 2026 recipients included sports clubs, the Squamish 55+ Community Society, Sea to Sky Hospice Society, the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre and two projects at Howe Sound Secondary School.
Source: Squamish Community Foundation