Neighbourhood Associations
Neighbourhood Associations
Neighbourhood associations are not-for-profit organizations that consist of dedicated volunteers who reside within the same neighbourhood and bring neighbours together to foster a sense of belonging and connectedness. They organize grassroots initiatives, identify opportunities to enhance their neighbourhood and collectively work together to enact their ideas.
The City of Kelowna values neighbourhood associations that actively foster resident connection and engagement through neighbourhood programs, events and services that benefit and increase the quality of life of Kelowna’s residents. The Neighbourhood Association Affiliation Pilot Program (NAAPP) is a two-year (2024-2026) pilot program that aims to create a formal relationship between the City of Kelowna and eligible associations who are committed to building Strong Neighbourhoods in partnership with the City.
Affiliating with the City of Kelowna provides neighbourhood associations with a range of benefits including access to funding to support ongoing operations, community events and initiatives, as well as capacity building opportunities to enhance resident reach and improved visibility within the neighbourhood.
Affiliated neighbourhood associations can expect the following benefits:
Increased visibility
- Being affiliated with the City can increase the visibility of the neighbourhood association, making it easier to attract volunteers, sponsors, and community support. This, in turn, strengthens the association's ability to carry out projects and initiatives.
Enhanced sense of belonging
- Affiliating with the City can contribute to a greater sense of belonging and civic pride among residents. Knowing that their neighbourhood is actively engaged with the broader municipal framework can instill a positive community spirit.
Networking opportunities
- Affiliation provides opportunities for networking with other neighbourhood associations and community groups. Sharing experiences, best practices, and challenges with fellow associations can contribute to a more vibrant and connected local environment.
Increased capacity
- Affiliation with the City can provide opportunities for workshops and training programs, enhancing the capacity of the neighbourhood association. Workshops can cover various topics such as board governance, community development, and effective communication, enabling association members to develop valuable skills for better community leadership and engagement.
General operating funding
- Up to a maximum of $5,000 in General Operating grants are available to support the operational needs of neighbourhood associations and the direct delivery of events, programs and services benefiting the residents of Kelowna.
To be recognized as an affiliated organization, the neighbourhood association must meet all the following criteria, as well as enter into an Affiliation Agreement with the City of Kelowna:
- Be physically located within the City of Kelowna boundaries.
- Be registered as a not-for-profit organization in accordance with the BC Societies Act at the time of application.
- Operate under the governance principles of a not-for-profit organization.
- Have a mission or purpose statement that aligns with the promotion of community well-being and the enhancement of the quality of life for residents within the neighbourhood.
- Demonstrate a commitment to enhancing the neighbourhood with an asset-based community development mindset.
- Operate in an inclusive manner that is welcoming to all people regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, or socio-economic status.
- Demonstrate a commitment to fostering community engagement by having an active membership base consisting of residents within their direct neighbourhood.
Groups ineligible for affiliation include:
- Unincorporated committees, groups, or individuals.
- Public or private educational institutions (public schools, universities, colleges, training organizations).
- Faith based groups.
- For profit businesses.
- Political parties.
- Organizations whose mandates, operations and activities are not consistent with the program objectives, description and/or eligibility requirements.
- Neighbourhood associations whose primary purpose, goals and objectives directly oppose or conflict with the City of Kelowna's community vision, Imagine Kelowna.
- Organizations that have outstanding reporting requirements for any previous grants from the City of Kelowna.
Neighbourhood associations in Kelowna seeking support from the City must complete the Neighbourhood Association Affiliation Program application online through the Strong Neighbourhoods webpage.
Deadline to apply for 2025 affiliation is December 2, 2024.
Upon submission of the application for affiliation with the City, neighbourhood associations can anticipate the following process:
- City staff will review applications for eligibility and completeness.
- If there are questions or clarifications needed, staff will promptly contact applicants.
- Applicants will be notified of a decision via email within four weeks of the application deadline.
- Neighbourhood associations selected for affiliation will receive a letter of confirmation, an affiliation agreement and next steps.
- Successful applicants will be invited to sign an affiliation agreement, which will formalize the affiliation.
- Once signed, the Affiliation Agreement serves as official confirmation of the organization's affiliated status and outlines the shared responsibilities and advantages of affiliation.
Year 1 Intake
| Information session | February 22, 2024 |
| Application for affiliation deadline | April 19, 2024 |
| Decisions announced | May 3, 2024 |
| Baseline survey session | May 2024 |
| Workshop 1 - community safety & emergency preparedness | June 2024 |
| Workshop 2 - Toolbox for Community Building: Finding and Using the Assets in your Neighbourhood | November 5, 2024 |
| Workshop 3 - REIMAGINE conference | April 2025 |
| Final report due | December 18, 2024 |
Year 2 Intake
| Information session | October 9, 2024 |
| Application for affiliation deadline | December 2, 2024 |
| Decisions announced | December 20, 2024 |
| Baseline survey session | January 2025 |
| Workshop 1 - community safety & emergency preparedness | Spring 2025 |
| Workshop 2 - REIMAGINE Conference | April 2025 |
| Workshop 3 - Toolbox for Community Building: Finding and Using the Assets in your Neighbourhood | Fall 2025 |
| Workshop 4 - topic TBD, pending input from neighbourhood associations | 2025 |
| Final report due | December 2025 |
Please note: it is the responsibility of the neighbourhood association to contact Strong Neighbourhoods regarding changes to contact information. Please email neighbourhoods@kelowna.ca.
Hall Road Neighbourhood Association
President: Vanessa Bell
Email: info@hallroad.ca
Website: hallroad.ca
Clifton Highlands Community Association
President: Tracy Rullkotter
Email: cliftonhigh123@gmail.com
Facebook: Clifton Highlands Community Association
Kelowna Downtown Knox Mountain Neighbourhood Association (KDKM)
President: Ray Lewis
Email: KDKMNeighbourhood@gmail.com
Website: kdkm.org
Facebook: KDKM – Kelowna Downtown Knox Mountain Neighbourhood Association
Kelowna South-Central Association of Neighbourhoods (KSAN)
Email: info@ksan-kelowna.ca
Website: ksan-kelowna.ca
Facebook: @KSAN
Kettle Valley Neighbourhood Association
President: Dave Cartwright
Email: dgckelowna@gmail.com
Facebook: @KettleValleyNeighbourhood
Instagram: instagram.com/kvneighbourhoodassociation/
Website: kvneighbourhood.com
Phone: 778-392-6677
Okanagan Mission Residents Association
President: David Jenkins
Email: dmjylw@mac.com
Secretary: Mary Broadland
Email: marybroadland@gmail.com
Website: omra.ca
Facebook: Okanagan Mission Residents Association
Pandosy Neighbourhood Association
President: Paul Clark
Email: info@imaginepandosy.org
Website: imaginepandosy.org
Facebook: KLO Neighbourhood Association
Quail Ridge Residents Association
Communications: Laura
Email: qrraexec@gmail.com
Website: qrra.org
Rutland Residents Association
President: Lynn Jack
Email: president@rutlandresidentsassociation.ca
Vice President: Lorena Mead
Email: vicepresident@rutlandresidentsassociation.ca
Secretary: Sharlene Drohomereski
Email: secretary@rutlandresidentsassociation.ca
Website: rutlandresidentsassociation.ca
Facebook: Rutland Resident Association
Please note: it is the responsibility of the neighbourhood association to contact Strong Neighbourhoods regarding changes to contact information. Please email neighbourhoods@kelowna.ca.
Check out some of the projects and events put on by Kelowna's affiliated associations
Kelowna South-Central Association of Neighbours (KSAN) proposed to work with a local neighbourhood school to plant seedlings together in the spring. Children took care of the seedlings in their classrooms until June. A plant day was then organized where seedlings were distributed to neighbours to plant in their yards and attract butterflies and other pollinators. This neighbourhood project brought together a diverse group of people with a common goal to work together as a community and create an environmentally sustainable future.
In British Columbia, not-for-profit organizations are commonly referred to as societies. These societies operate as independent, democratic entities and are required to adhere to the regulations outlined in the Societies Act, as well as their own constitution and bylaws.
Unlike for-profit entities, societies do not generate profits for their members. Instead, all funds are directed towards furthering the organization's cause of mission. Societies may qualify for various opportunities, including:
- Eligibility to apply for the Neighbourhood Association Affiliation Pilot Program that includes a Foundational Grant of up to $5,000.
- Registration as a charitable organization with the Canada Revenue Agency, enabling them to receive tax-deductible donations and access other benefits related to charitable status.
- Utilizing funds to support the organization's objectives, including operational expenses such as employee salaries and administrative needs.
Visit Start a Society to learn more.
