Deadline nears to apply for Neighbourhood Small Grants in the North Okanagan

A small chunk of change can go a long way in a community that knows what to do with it, and for those communities in the North Okanagan, there’s still time to apply for the Neighbourhood Small Grant (NSG) program.

The Community Foundation North Okanagan is leading the NSG program for the region, which offers small grants up to $500 to individuals for projects that connect people socially or involve sharing skills or talents.

Lisa Deargle, communications director at the Community Foundation, says $500 can be enough to spark a great idea that neighbours will want to be a part of.

“In a year where so many of our local citizens experienced hardships and all of us saw divisive topics driving wedges between our relationships, we’re hoping this program will start bringing neighbours together through their common desire to make the world a better place,” she said. “A small grant has the potential to be a beautiful start to something huge.”

The Community Foundation has $20,000 to give away this year, and the grants can be used for all sorts of initiatives, such as organizing a block party or setting up a community library.

Last year, more than half of the projects were held remotely due to the pandemic, while other projects were held outdoors on farms, trails, public parks, parking lots and on neighbourhood streets.

“I think the most memorable part of this experience was just seeing the looks on everyone’s faces as they worked on their projects, and the big smiles at the end of the class. It is amazing how you can connect with people you don’t know through the power of creativity and a shared project,” one NSG project leader said, describing the most memorable experience of leading a project.

For more information on Neighbourhood Small Grants, or to apply online, visit www.cfno.org/nsg