Since 2005 the COF has been administering the following granting programs on behalf of the City of Kelowna:
Starting in 2010, COF also began administering the following City of Kelowna Arts granting programs:
These are open to not-for-profit organizations and registered not-for-profits. Click below for more on:
Community Social Development Grants
Grants are available to registered non-profit Kelowna based organizations offering primary prevention programs to reduce the incidence of social breakdown. Programs must be orientated towards groups, preventative in nature and not funded by a senior government. The application deadline is 3:30 p.m. on the last Friday of February.
Emergency Grants
Emergency grants may be available to registered non-profit organizations offering social programs in Kelowna, for the purpose of assisting the organizations through a financial crisis. Any monies granted will be short-term bridging funding only and will depend on the availability of funds in the Social Development Grant Reserve. Grants will not exceed $5,000.
Grants to Address the Sexual Exploitation of Youth
The Planning and Corporate Services Department administers Grants to Address the Sexual Exploitation of Youth. Annual allocations for these grants are based on business license revenues. Handled by Community Planning, the grants are available to agencies developing programs to combat the sexual exploitation of those under 19 years of age within Kelowna city boundaries. The application deadline is 3:30 p.m. on the last Friday of February.
Arts, Culture and Heritage (ACH) Operating Grants
Operating Grants are available to arts. culture and heritage organizations that carry out the majority of their work in Kelowna. These grants support the operations of the organization, but are not to be used for startup, events, or capital projects.
This grant acknowledges the work these organizations do and how they positively contribute to Kelowna's quality of life, identity and economy. Grants are extended to recipients who demonstrate vision, accountability and spirit of community service in their operations.
Community Festivals, Events and Project (CFEP) Grants
Project grants are available to community organizations, which provide a festival, event or project featuring arts, culture and/or heritage based elements for the benefit of Kelowna residents. Eligible organizations are not required to be from the arts, culture or heritage sector.
Project grants are new in 2010. The program acknowledges that new initiatives need seed money and existing projects may need support to help them grow.
All festivals, events and projects must be accessible to the public, offering a unique experience, and feature arts, culture or heritage content. Funding is provided for up to 3 consecutive years on a matching 50/50 basis.
For all categories of grants, grant applications, checklists for completion, and terms of reference are posted on the City of Kelowna Website.
City of Kelowna - Official Community Plan
To view the City's latest Official Community Plan click on the following link:
For Policy 360 of the Official Community Plan click here:
For Chapter 10 of the Official Community Plan click here:
Registered non-profit organizations or community organizations offering social programs in the municipality of Kelowna interested in applying for a grant should contact: Cheryl Miller at the Central Okanagan Foundation at (250) 861–6160 or cheryl@centralokanaganfoundation.org
| 2010 Arts Culture & Heritage (ACH) Grants (Spring Cycle) | |
| Kiwanis Music Festival Society of Kelowna | $ 7,500 |
| Central Okanagan Heritage Society | $ 10,000 |
| Ponderosa Spinners, Weavers and | $ 1,000 |
| Kelowna Folk Club | $ 4,000 |
| Theatre Kelowna Society | $ 10,000 |
| Okanagan Film Festival | $ 7,500 |
| Viva Musica Society | $ 14,500 |
| Okanagan Jazz and Blues Society | $ 4,000 |
| Okanagan Festival Singers | $ 2,000 |
| Chamber Music Society | $ 8,000 |
| Cool Arts Society | $ 4,000 |
| Kelowna City Band | $ 5,000 |
| Total | $ 77,500 |
| Community Festivals, Events and Projects (CFEP) Grants | |
| (Spring Cycle) | |
| BC Old Time Fiddlers, Branch 7 | $ 2,500 |
| British Columbia Dragoons Whizzbang Association | $ 4,000 |
| Canadian Mental Health Association | $ 2,500 |
| Farmers Market | $ 1,500 |
| Okanagan Pride | $ 7,000 |
| Kelowna Community Music School | $ 1,500 |
| Okanagan Jazz and Blues Society | $ 7,000 |
| Uptown Rutland Business Association | $ 5,750 |
| Okanagan Historical Society | $ 5,000 |
| Kelowna Pipe Band | $ 2,500 |
| Okanagan Greens Society | $ 2,500 |
| Rutland Park Society | $ 4,000 |
| Kelowna City Band | $ 1,750 |
| Rotary Centre for the Arts | $ 10,000 |
| Kelowna Ballet Society – Ballet Kelowna | $ 10,000 |
| Total | $ 67,500 |
| 2010 Community Social Development Grants and | |
| Grants to Address the Sexual Exploitation of Youth (Spring Cycle) | |
| Seniors Outreach Services Society | $ 4,000 |
| Resurrection Recovery Resource Society | $ 6,750 |
| Reach Out Youth Counselling & Family Services Society | $ 10,000 |
| Project Literacy Kelowna Society | $ 7,000 |
| Church Serve Canada | $ 10,000 |
| Kelowna Community Food Bank | $ 5,000 |
| Central Okanagan Elizabeth Fry Society | $ 10,000 |
| Society of St Vincent de Paul | $ 1,000 |
| Arion Therapeutic Riding Association | $ 5,000 |
| Living Positive Resource Centre | $ 2,500 |
| Kelowna Family Services Centre Society | $ 5,250 |
| PLAN Okanagan | $ 5,000 |
| Kari’s Support Society | $ 2,500 |
| Mennonite Central Committee | $ 6,000 |
| Community Against Sexual Exploitation of Youth | $ 7,000 |
| New Opportunities for Women | $ 4,800 |
| YMCA-YWCA of the Central Okanagan | $ 2,700 |
| Central Okanagan Elizabeth Fry Society | $ 7,500 |
| Total | $ 102,000 |
Yes. The funds come from different sources and applying for a COF grant does not affect your application for a City grant.
A separate advisory committee was established to review the applications and make the recommendations for City of Kelowna grants. This committee is made up of two COF Board representatives, two City of Kelowna appointees, and two community members. The recommendations from this committee are presented to City Council who give their final approval.
Our Conflict of Interest Policy is very explicit about the need for Advisory Committee members to absent themselves from discussion pertaining to applications when they are on the board of, or employed by, the applicant organizations. In situations where the involvement is less direct, conflict of interest is most effectively avoided by declaring the bias and asking for guidance in terms of participation in the discussion. A Committee member can do this by contacting the Grants Coordinator prior to the meeting, discussing the potential conflict with the Chair, or by declaring the potential conflict to the whole Committee during the meeting.
Please note the deadline for upcoming City of Kelowna Grant Applications for Community Social Development Grants and Grants to Address the Sexual Exploitation of Youth is: Friday, February 24, 2012 - 3:30 pm
Completed applications should be delivered to Central Okanagan Foundation at 217, 1889 Springfield Rd, Kelowna.
Grant applications, checklists for completion, and terms of reference are posted on the City of Kelowna Website.
Central Okanagan Foundation
217-1889 Springfield Road., Kelowna, B.C. V1Y 5V5
Tel 250-861-6160 Fax 250-861-6156
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