Grant criteria guidelines

Vision: To see resilient community-based neighbourhood houses that support and advocate for community capacity building, social development, and systemic change.

Mission: The Foundation advances the development of the neighbourhood house movement in B.C. by supporting projects developed by neighbourhood houses and by championing the start-up phase for new neighbourhood houses.

What is a Neighbourhood House?

To qualify for funding from the Alexandra Foundation as a neighbourhood house, an organization must:

• be a qualified donee of charitable funds as defined by Canada Revenue Agency;
• be able to demonstrate that it operates by the values and principles of the neighbourhood house movement:
  • Is governed by an active community advisory group;
  • Demonstrates responsiveness to local culture and needs;
  • Welcomes, encourages and champions diversity in all facets of the organization;
  • Provides or intends to provide a welcoming “open-door” environment for neighbours to gather.

Two grant streams:

1. New Neighbourhood House Initiatives
2. Projects for Existing Neighbourhood House

1. New Neighbourhood House Initiatives

The purpose of this grant is to support initiatives that are in the process of establishing, developing or building a new neighbourhood house in BC. The Foundation’s funding goal is to increase the number of neighbourhood houses in BC by providing funding support during the start-up phase. A new neighbourhood house may be:

• a new organization or
• a new program location within an existing organization.

Before applying, a new initiative must be able to demonstrate solid preliminary interest in and work on the development of the neighbourhood house such as:

• An active working group
• Partners who demonstrate support for the initiative
• A survey of local residents indicating need and interest
• An analysis of neighbourhood assets and gaps showing the need for this kind of amenity

Activities and costs may include:

• Feasibility studies
• Business plans
• Startup salaries for leadership staff
• Rental/lease of initial facilities
• Capital costs including:
  • furnishings and equipment
  • leasehold improvements
  • renovations of existing facilities
  • land purchase
  • new construction

Grant maximums:

The maximum allowable grant in this category is $50,000 per year for a maximum of two consecutive years.

Where applicable, applications must include a plan for transitioning from Alexandra Foundation funding to another sustainable funding source.

Here is a link to a valuable resource known as the “Toolkit”.

2. Projects for Existing Neighbourhood Houses

For this grant, the Foundation’s funding goal is to contribute to the continuance, development and expansion of neighbourhood houses and to help build capacity and improve infrastructure. The purpose of this grant is to provide short-term support for projects of existing neighbourhood houses in BC.

This granting stream is focused on two areas of support:

• Flexible funds that contribute to the sustainability of neighbourhood houses, including enhancing infrastructure, core operations, governance and community or organizational capacity building; and
• Sector building activities that build awareness of neighbourhood houses and their impact, such as joint publicity campaigns, employee and volunteer development, neighbourhood house sector organizing for policy development or to address a broad community issue.

Before applying, an existing neighbourhood house should ensure that the proposed project:

• aligns with their own organization’s goals and
• addresses a demonstrated need.

Activities and costs may include:

• Soft costs like project staffing, administration or overhead
• Consultation fees
• Capital costs including:
  • furnishings and equipment
  • leasehold improvements
  • renovations or repair of existing facilities
  • land purchase
  • new construction

Please note that program costs, ongoing staff positions, and operating expenses will not be considered.

For examples of projects the Foundation has previously funded, please visit our Grant Project History page.

Grant maximums:

The maximum allowable grant in this category is $50,000 per year for a maximum of two consecutive years. Where applicable, applications must include a plan for transitioning from Alexandra Foundation funding to another suitable funding source.

Grant Application Procedure for New Neighbourhood House Initiatives or Projects for Existing Neighbourhood House

Please use the forms provided to apply for funding. Your application will be reviewed at a scheduled meeting of the Foundation Board of Directors.

Please note that the Alexandra Foundation for Neighbourhood Houses has limited funding and not all applications that meet the grant criteria will receive financial assistance.

Reporting Procedure for New Neighbourhood House Initiatives or Projects for Existing Neighbourhood House

Please use the forms provided for your report.

You must use the funds received from the Alexandra Foundation of Neighbourhood Houses only for the purpose for which they have been requested and granted. Any unused portion of the grant amount received should be reported to the Alexandra Foundation.

If there is any interruption on a project that has been granted, your organization must notify to the Alexandra Foundation immediately and request an extension.

For multi-year projects, you will provide an interim narrative and a budget report at the end of the first year. Once this report is reviewed and approved, the second year’s funding will be released.

A final report is due 90 days after the completion date of your approved project. This report will include:

• a discussion of results and benefits you anticipated achieving in your application
• a tabular report on outputs and outcomes as proposed in your application
• a budget report for the full initiative, including explanations of variances from your proposed budget.

To be considered for a new grant, your organization must be in good standing with the Alexandra Foundation for Neighbourhood Houses, with no outstanding reports or funds owing.