Grants
We offer a variety of grant opportunities each year focusing on areas such as arts and culture, social development and park and neighbourhood improvement initiatives. Explore the programs below to learn more.
2021-2022 Commitment to Community Impact Report
We aim to foster the development of a strong and resilient community. Check out the 2021-2022 Commitment to Community Impact Report to see how we invest in the non-profit sectors that serve the sport, event, arts, culture, heritage and social interests of Kelowna residents.
We’re launching our new online grant platform on SurveyMonkey Apply. Some programs are currently available on our platform and others are on their way!
Online platform support
We know these transitions can be challenging. We’ve ensured there are plenty of resources available to support you in navigating our new online system.
SurveyMonkey Apply has a detailed FAQ & Troubleshooting website page with information on how to use the software. Some of the popular categories are listed below along with a summary of the information they cover. Click on a category title to go directly to that SurveyMonkey Apply FAQ & Troubleshooting section.
- Register as an applicant
- Setting up my organization
- Reset or change my password
- Changing notification sections
- Adding people to assist with the application
- Joining an existing organization
- Registration errors
- Editing the organization profile
- Creating a new application
- Deleting an application
- Finding my previous applications
- Errors in uploading files
- Submitting my application
- Printing and downloading my application
- Editing my application
- Signing my application
- Additional questions about a grant program
- Having technical issues with the site
We want to make sure that you’re successful in using our new grant portal. If you’re having difficulty navigating the site and can’t find the answer to your question on SurveyMonkey Apply's FAQ & Troubleshooting website page, please reach out to your program staff directly.
| Art, culture and heritage programs | culture@kelowna.ca |
| Festival and event programs | ssemeniuk@kelowna.ca |
| Organization development programs | culture@kelowna.ca |
| Social development programs | socialwellness@kelowna.ca |
| Sport-based programs | bduquette@kelowna.ca |
| Strong neighbourhoods programs | neighbourhoods@kelowna.ca |
Council has approved the criteria for the 2024 one-time property tax grant program. Properties that qualify will have an amount credited to their property tax accounts. The deadline to apply is July 2, 2024.
For more information on this funding program, please visit the 2024 Property Tax webpage.
We offer six categories of arts & culture grants:
- General operating grants
- Project grants
- Organization development grants
- Community art grants
- Core operating grants
- Advancing equity micro grants
For more information on Arts & Culture grants, guidelines and how to apply, visit our Cultural grants page.
Grants are available to registered non-profit, Kelowna-based organizations that make an impact on the social well-being and resiliency of the community. The purpose of the Community Social Development Grant is to make funding available to organizations offering services or programs with the goal of generating, promoting or accelerating socially beneficial services or programs in Kelowna. The application deadline is 3:30 p.m. on the last Friday of February.
For a copy of the application form, guidelines and applicable policies, please visit the Central Okanagan Foundation grants information page.
2024 grant recipients
| Organization | Amount |
| Autism Okanagan | $10,000 |
| Bridges to New Life | $10,000 |
| Central Okanagan Community Food Bank | $20,000 |
| Central Okanagan Elizabeth Fry Society | $20,000 |
| Childhood Connections | $10,000 |
| Community Recreational Initiatives Society | $5,000 |
| Elevation Outdoors Experiential Society | $7,000 |
| Freedom’s Door | $15,000 |
| Hands in Service | $6,000 |
| Karis Support Society | $10,000 |
| Kelowna Women's Shelter | $17,500 |
| Metis Community Services | $13,620 |
| Niteo Africa Society | $4,480 |
| OCCA Communities Association | $6,000 |
| Okanagan Fruit Tree Project Society | $12,500 |
| Senior's Outreach Society | $10,000 |
| Kelowna and District SHARE Society | $9,000 |
| Third Space Life Charity | $10,000 |
For more information contact Abbie Norrish, Manager, Grants & Community Initiatives at 250-861-6160 or abbie@centralokanaganfoundation.org
Emergency grants may be available to assist registered non-profit organizations offering social programs in Kelowna experiencing a financial crisis. Grants provide 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.
For more information contact Abbie Norrish, Manager, Grants & Community Initiatives at 250-861-6160 or abbie@centralokanaganfoundation.org
Kelowna has a long history of hosting a variety of events and supporting their continued growth, success and sustainability. Our Event Hosting Program was established in recognition of the benefits that events bring to the community and the associated costs to organizers in hosting.
The intent of the Event Hosting Program is to recognize and support events that reflect Kelowna’s principles and values, and enrich the community. This program will contribute to an event’s health and sustainability so it can remain an integral part of our vibrant community. The Event Hosting Program is application-based and consists of three categories, each having their own set of objectives and criteria.
Contact staff to discuss eligibility for this program or to obtain more information.
Sarah Semeniuk
Event Services Coordinator
250-469-8853
ssemeniuk@kelowna.ca
Brad Duquette
Sport Development Coordinator
250-469-8696
bduquette@kelowna.ca
The Heritage Grants Program, administered by the Central Okanagan Heritage Society, is designed to promote conservation of residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural heritage buildings by assisting owners with grants for a portion of the costs incurred in conservation work. The program is limited to exterior work.
Eligible work may include reroofing, window and door conservation, siding and porch conservation, work on foundation and repainting. Approximately $35,000 is available for distribution annually, with buildings with a Heritage Designation eligible for a maximum of $12,500 per three-year period and buildings listed on the Kelowna Heritage Register eligible for a maximum of $7,500 per three-year period.
Any owner with a property listed on the Kelowna Heritage Register is eligible to apply for this program. Interested applicants should visit the Central Okanagan Heritage Society's website for more information.
Kelowna is an ideal destination for hosting major, significant events due to its location, setting, amenities, international airport and other factors. Events bring a unique opportunity for the public to share and enjoy special experiences, resulting in significant community development and economic spinoffs that otherwise wouldn’t be realized.
The intent of the Major Events Program is to foster event development and assist in the procurement of new large-scale participant-based or spectator events through components such as identification, bid/hosting fees, creation of bid packages and leverage to obtain additional funding.
Contact staff to discuss eligibility for this program or to obtain more information.
Chris Babcock
Event Development Supervisor
250-469-8780
cbabcock@kelowna.ca
This program aims to assist non‐profit sport, event, social service and cultural organizations for the purpose of undertaking activities or initiatives that develop the organization’s capacity and sustainability.
Applicants will be asked to use our online platform to complete a screening tool to determine project eligibility. An application form will be provided for projects determined to be eligible.
Contact staff to discuss eligibility for this program or to obtain more information.
Cultural Organizations:
Christine McWillis
250-470-0640
cmcwillis@kelowna.ca
Sport and Event Organizations:
Doug Nicholas
250-469-8859
dnicholas@kelowna.ca
Social Service Organizations:
Stephanie Martin
250-470-0687
smartin@kelowna.ca
The Partners in Parks program is an initiative intended to strengthen neighbourhoods through partnerships with community groups that want to refresh and enhance local parks throughout Kelowna.
The maximum Partners in Parks grant per project is $10,000. Approved projects should:
- Foster a shared sense of park stewardship within the community
- Leverage community groups’ resources, interests and passion
- Increase community pride and involvement of residents in parks
Visit our Partners in Parks page to learn more.
Property tax exemptions are available for qualifying registered non-profit Kelowna based organizations using property for municipal recreation, religious, cultural or charitable purposes.
The intent of the Housing Opportunities Reserve Fund is to encourage the development of affordable housing. The fund relies on taxation, land sales, revenues and other resources. The money is used to acquire lands suited to development opportunities that would include affordable housing.
There are also grants available to encourage the construction of rental housing units. Funds are distributed based on the number of dwellings that qualify.
Learn more about the grants and applications under the Rental Housing Grant on our Developer incentives page.
We offer six categories of sport & event grants. Categories include:
- Community Sport Delivery Grant
- Sport Education Grant
- Event Hosting Program
- Major Events Program
- Athletic Excellence Grant
- Organizational Development Grant
Visit our Sports & event grants page for more information.
The purpose of the Strong Neighbourhood grants are to provide the opportunity for neighbours to build relationships, gain a greater sense of neighbourhood pride and provide resources to address each neighbourhood's unique interests and needs – which, in turn, enhances the quality of life for Kelowna residents. There are two grants available: Neighbourhood Grant and Youth Development and Engagement Grant.
