Greenest City Neighbourhood Small Grants (Mount Pleasant)

While I knew about the City of Vancouver Neighbourhood Small Grants, I do not think I had heard about the Greenest City Neighbourhood Small Grants until a friend (who, like me, lives in Mount Pleasant) sent me this information, which I am reproducing below. [UPDATE – After doing a little research, and realizing that I should know more about this program since the folks at the Vancouver Foundation are actually my friends and I have sat on advisory committees for the Foundation itself, here is some more information that I garnered about the programme].

The City of Vancouver and Vancouver Foundation have teamed up to help make Vancouver the greenest city by 2020. We’ve created the Greenest City Fund – a four-year, $2 million fund that will support community-led green projects. We want to go right into the heart of the community for ideas, and that’s why we’ve dedicated a portion of the Fund to support Neighbourhood Small Grants (NSG) that have a green focus. Our aim is to encourage local initiatives, designed and undertaken by residents, right in their community. We’re looking for fabulous ideas from you, Vancouver residents, which will make your neighbourhood greener. Your proposal needs to meet the criteria on the left and must benefit your Vancouver neighbourhood.

This project offers up to $1000 to groups of people living in Mount Pleasant and Little Mountain, who want to work together on a small event, program or project that enhances their neighbourhood through a green focus. We’re looking for fabulous ideas from you, Vancouver residents, which will make your neighbourhood greener. Your proposal needs to meet the criteria and must benefit your Vancouver neighbourhood.

What Kinds of Projects Receive Funding?

All kinds of projects! Here are some other Greenest City NSG ideas you could develop:

1. Making businesses greener or creating green jobs.
2. Growing and eating local food.
3. Making buildings more energy efficient.
4. Promoting greener forms of transportation.
5. Creating zero waste.
6. Mitigating climate change and breathing clean air.
7. Improving access to nature and planting trees.
8. Conserving drinking water.
9. Reducing our ecological footprint.

Where can I get Information about City Guidelines?

Links to relevant City of Vancouver guidelines visit their website.

Who can apply for a Grant?

Applicants must live in the Mount Pleasant and Little Mountain Neighbourhoods, see map here. The grants are for projects by neighbours or small groups of residents only; organizations cannot apply. All projects must take place in Vancouver.

Application Deadline

The Greenest City Neighbourhood Small Grant application deadline is May 25, 2012, and if your grant is approved the Steering Committee will inform you in June. The projects, events and programs will take place in 2012, followed by a celebration in November which gives grant recipients the opportunity to display photographs, tell stories, mingle with other project organizers, and meet the NSGP Steering Committee.

Please Submit Your Application:

Online and click on “Apply for a Grant”.

In person or by mail at:
Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House
800 East Broadway, Vancouver BC V5T 1Y1

Little Mountain Neighbourhood House
3981 Main Street, Vancouver BC V5V 3P3

For More Information:
Please visit this website or here.

Hopefully residents of Mount Pleasant will be able and willing to submit an application for a Neighbourhood Small Grant.