Community Grants Program now includes arts, culture, and heritage streams – apply by Jan. 31

The City of Port Moody is accepting applications for the 2024 intake of the Community Grants Program, which now includes three different streams: general community grants; artist grants; and arts, culture, and heritage grants. The Community Grants Program provides financial assistance for projects that contribute to the general interest and benefit of Port Moody residents. Fill out an online application form at portmoody.ca/communitygrants. All forms must be submitted by Wednesday, January 31, 2024. 

While general community grants can be used for a wide range of projects, artist grants provide emerging Port Moody artists with financial assistance to help them grow their skills, experience, and art practice. Artists may apply for up to $1,000 in one-time funding to help with activities such as completing a project, preparing for an exhibition, or developing promotional materials.

Arts, culture, and heritage grants provide funding to Port Moody-based organizations that deliver arts, heritage, and/or cultural projects and initiatives in Port Moody. Groups may apply for up to $5,000 in one-time funding to support performances, projects, and initiatives that further enhance the cultural experience for residents and visitors. For large community festivals and special events, please refer to the City's Festival and Special Event Assistance Program. 

To be eligible for consideration, an application must meet the qualifications outlined in the City’s Community Grants Program policy. 

The following general principles may be used to determine funding allocations:

• availability of funds budgeted for grants and donations;
• extent to which a demonstrated need in the community will be addressed and to which the City’s corporate goals and objectives are met;
• degree to which the grant will promote the well-being and quality of life of Port Moody residents;
• degree to which funding will be used for the community as a whole;
• extent to which the organization has attempted to obtain other sources of funding (e.g. through corporate sponsorships or fundraising campaigns);
• extent to which the funds are spent in Port Moody;
• needs of the organization requesting funding;
• extent to which any benefits will be directed to support equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation initiatives;
• extent to which any benefits will be directed to support accessibility initiatives;
• extent to which volunteers are involved and community spirit is fostered; and
• contribution to arts, culture, and heritage in the community (for applications to the artist grants and arts, culture, and heritage grants streams). 

All eligible applications will be forwarded to a Council advisory group for their consideration. The Council advisory group will review eligible applications and make a recommendation to Council as to which applications should be approved. Council will approve all final awards. In the case of ties or excess funding, Council will use their discretion to allocate the funds. 

In 2024, there will be $35,000 available for grant awards:

• $20,000 for general community grants ($18,000 available for requests made by the January 31 deadline, and a 10 per cent hold-back – $2,000 – available for emergency requests) – individual grant requests are limited to 15 per cent of the total grant budget;
• $5,000 for artist grants (no hold-back – if funds remain, they will be available for use later in the year); and
• $10,000 for arts, culture, and heritage grants (no hold-back – if funds remain, they will be available for use later in the year).

The number of grants awarded will depend on the value of the requests. For example, if the City receives a number of high-value requests, fewer grants may be awarded.