On Thursday, representatives from various groups will gather at Howe Sound Inn & Brewing for the 2024 Neighbourhood Small Grants (NSG) Summit.
It is the first time the summit has been held in the district and will draw folks from as far as Bowen Island and the Sunshine Coast through Pemberton and Lillooet.
The summit is for those involved in the small grant program, such as project leaders and sponsoring organizations.
Karen Clarke executive director of the Squamish Community Foundation, explained that the event brings together the project leaders from the different regions, and they present on what their projects were about, especially if it was something unique that they were doing and they want to share.
"It's a get-together to share some skill building and also just to celebrate the projects that have taken place that year," she said.
Folks who are keen to attend can still register (Register here).
The Neighbourhood Small Grants program has been running in Squamish since 2017; it is a partnership of the Squamish Community Foundation, the Vancouver Foundation and the District of Squamish.
(Squamish Community Foundation is also nominated for the Community Builder Award as part of this year's Squamish Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards.)
"You can get grants from $50 to $500 to support projects that bring people together to share skills and knowledge and build a sense of belonging and responsibility and respect and celebrate diversity," said Clarke, adding that about $18,000 worth of programs were funded this year.
Block parties, community gardens, and little neighbourhood libraries are examples of grant requests that have been supported. There have also been health and wellness events, cleanups, group yoga, and support circle grant recipients.
Individuals of any age can apply for a neighbourhood grant.
Applications for the small grant program will be open again in the spring of 2025. Once the application period is over, an adjudication committee decides who receives the grants.
There were programs supported that ran in the summer and a few recently for Halloween, Clarke said.
"It's not for charities or nonprofit organizations. It's for small groups of people and neighbourhoods," Clarke said. "It's a unique grant in that way. It's pretty much open to any idea that anybody can come up with. We really encourage creativity."
Find out more about the Squamish Community Foundation and its grant programs on its website.
