By Times Chronicle Staff
Grant funding to help bring neighbours and neighbourhoods together returns this year offering up to $500 to help residents turn “small ideas into big community impact”.
Offered by the Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen (CFSOS), the Neighbourhood Small Grants (NSG) program supports grassroots, resident-led projects that connect neighbours, celebrate diversity, and strengthen communities.
NSG is based on a simple but powerful idea: that small acts of community-building create lasting change, reducing isolation, fostering a sense of belonging, and making neighbourhoods more vibrant, welcoming, and safe.
Since 2016, NSG has funded over 700 projects, engaging thousands of residents across the region. In 2024 alone, more than 1,500 people participated in 70 community-led events, with many applicants applying for the first time or returning to build on a successful past gathering the Foundation said.
“From block parties and cultural celebrations to community gardens, wellness workshops, and sustainability projects, NSG helps bring creative ideas to life,” it said adding that no experience or organization is required, only an idea and a passion for community.
The application is simple, asking for your idea, how you will engage your neighbours, and how the $500 grant will make an impact.
“These small grants empower everyday residents to take action and make a difference,” says Kim English, NSG Coordinator at CFSOS. “When neighbours come together to create something meaningful, it strengthens our entire region.”
Applications are open until April 18 and interested residents can attend one of seven in-person NSG Info Sessions across the region or join an online session to learn more. To apply or get more information, visit cfso.net or contact Kim English at [email protected] for guidance and support.
