Overview

The Community Wellness Grant program is now open to applications for 2024/2025 funding.

Island Health's Community Wellness Grants provide the opportunity for not-for-profit organizations, local government organizations and Indigenous Nations and organizations to apply for one-time funding for community-led wellness projects that reduce barriers and increase supports, enabling all members of the community to enjoy health and wellness.

Criteria and eligibility

The focus of the 2024/2025 funding cycle is community resilience, promoting connected, diverse, safe, active, and nourished communities. Projects must address one or more of the following community resilience goals:

  • Advancing diversity in your community
    • Promoting dignity and human rights
    • Addressing discrimination, racism and stigma
    • Decolonizing and Indigenizing community wellness
  • Advancing connectedness in your community
    • Social connectedness
    • Building intergenerational connections
    • Supportive and welcoming communities
  • Advancing safety in your community
    • Injury prevention
    • Violence and domestic abuse prevention
    • Active transportation
  • Advancing nourishment in your community
    • Community gardens
    • Food security
    • Nutrition
  • Advancing active living in your community
    • Physical activity for all, including people with different abilities
    • Mindful movement
    • Connection and access to nature

Community wellness grants can be used to fund a new project or a continuing project in need of one-time funding. In both categories, the project cannot have previously received Island Health funding and will not be eligible for future Community Wellness Grant funding. All projects must be based in and primarily serve communities in the Island Health region (Vancouver Island, the islands in the Salish Sea and the Johnstone Strait, and mainland communities north of Powell River).

Funding

Organizations may apply in either the individual grants category (up to $12,000 per project) or the partnership grants category (must be a collaboration amongst a minimum of 3 partner organizations, up to $50,000 per project).

Please note that approximately $600,000 total is available in the individual grants category and approximately $200,000 is available in the partnership grants category. The Community Wellness Grant program is highly competitive and always receives far more applications than we can fund.

Timeline

March 12, 2024Applications open
April 12, 2024, 4pmApplications close
By early May, 2024Results communicated to all applicants
By early June, 2024Funds distributed to grantees
June 30, 2025All funds must be spent and projects complete

Community Wellness Grant projects should run from June 2024 to June 30, 2025, although the timeframe for some projects may be shorter.

How to Apply

Applications for 2024/2025 funding are now open.

The completed application must be submitted by 4:00 p.m., Friday April 12th, 2024. Applications received after the deadline will NOT be accepted.

Should you have any questions please contact communitygrants@islandhealth.ca. We look forward to working with you.

Frequently asked questions

Can my organization apply for multiple grants?
Yes, you may apply for multiple grants for different projects.

Can my organization apply for both an individual grant and as a partner on a partnership grant?
Yes.

Are there any restrictions on how the grant funds can be spent?
Yes. Administrative overhead must not exceed 10% of the total grant requested. The purchase of equipment or infrastructure must not exceed 20% of the total grant requested. Community Wellness Grants cannot be used for the direct provision of health care.

What are the reporting requirements for this grant?
You will be required to submit a short end of project report at the project’s conclusion, using a template provided by Island Health.

I am not part of an organization, but I have a great idea. Can I apply for this grant?
No. Only the organizations listed above are eligible to apply for Community Wellness Grant funding.

What counts as a project?
A project has a defined beginning and end in time. It has a timeline and set of activities that is built to achieve a specific purpose or set of objectives. Examples of projects for the purposes of this grant program may include but are not limited to:

  • A workshop series
  • An event
  • An educational initiative
  • A service improvement or expansion
  • Building a new community group

If your question is not addressed here or you need support completing your application, please contact communitygrants@islandhealth.ca and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

News & Updates

Read Island Health's article from May 26, 2022: Community Wellness Grant Program Call for Applications.

Read Island Health's news release from November 25, 2019: Community Wellness Granting Program call for applications.

Read Island Health's news release from March 26, 2019: Island Health announces Community Wellness Grant Recipients.

Read Island Health's news release from April 30, 2018: Island Health announces Community Wellness Grant Recipients.

Check out this article about Community Wellness Grants in the summer 2017 issue of IslandHealth Magazine.

Island Health Magazine - Summer 2017

Grant Updates - Videos

Grant Updates - Photos

Island Health Community Wellness Grant Recipients

Check back for updates on how these grants are making a difference in your community.

Grant Recipients 2023

North Island

Campbell River & District Public Art Gallery
CRAG Art Hive - a community art studio for peers with lived experience

Comox Valley Family Services Association
Family Nutrition Project

Cortes Community Health Association
Connection, Creativity and Mentorship - Youth Program

Discovery Coast Greenways Land Trust
Zeballos Ehattis Good Food Box

Hardy Bay Senior Citizens Society
Garden upgrades and wellness

LUSH Valley Food Action Society
Youth in Food Systems

North Island Metis Association
Miitsho: Feeding Our Métis Youth

Robron Centre, SD72
Robron After School

Sointula Resource Centre Society
Community Pantry and Garden Market Stand

Denman Island Community Education Society
The Eyrie - Teen Support Space

Strathcona Regional District
Enhancing Social Capital Through Water Lifesaving Training and Education

U'mista Cultural Society
Ha'mi'ksila (cooking, preparing food)


Central Island

1st Cobble Hill Scout Group
New tents for Dry Scouts - Camping Opportunities for Youth

Cowichan Brain Injury Society
Project Leisure

Cowichan Family Caregivers Support Society
Caregiver Community Resource Library

Cowichan Green
Community Resiliency Project

Cowichan Social Planning Society
Poverty Challenge

Cowichan Valley Arts Council
Art Sharing Connections

Cowichan Women Against Violence Society
Healthy Relationships, Youth Summer Program

Gabriola Community Bus Foundation
GERTIE free rides project

Gabriola Health Care Foundation
MamaMood/PapaMood

Growing Opportunities Farm Community Co-op
Preserving for the Future

Ladysmith Resources Centre Association
Healthy Food for All

Nanaimo Association for Community Living
Club Wellness

Nanaimo Brain Injury Society
Getting to Tomorrow - Ending the Overdose Crisis - The Anti-Stigma Project

Nourish Cowichan Society
Growing Good Food for Healthy Kids

Qualicum First Nation
Eat and Learn!

Regional District of Nanaimo
Area A Youth Social

School District 68 Community Schools
Community Schools Programming

The Men's Centre
Male Domestic Violence Prevention Toolkit

Thetis Island Community Association
Let’s Talk about Burning

Uchucklesaht Tribe Government
Uchucklesaht Community Garden

Volunteer Cowichan
Seniors Supported Volunteer Driving Program

Warmland Restorative Justice Society
Restorative Justice School Program

Warmland Women's Support Services Society
Calling Ourselves Home - Indigenous Outreach

Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government Ucluelet First Nation
Community Harm Reduction Project


South Island

BGC South Vancouver Island (previously Boys and Girls Club of Greater Victoria)
Fostering Fathering Connections

Canadian Earth Institute
Q'ushintul / Walking Together Peacemakers Gathering & Ancestor Walk

Edward Milne Community School Society
Community Cultural Kitchen

Home is Where We Live - LifeCycles Project Society
Active Outdoor Learning Project

Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria
Bystander Intervention Training for Youth: Practical Anti-Racist Tools

James Bay United Church
James Bay Community Lunch

Saanich School District #63 - Saanich Schools
Connect-ED Community Wellness Partnership

Sooke Family Resource Society
Women's Support Groups

Sooke Region Communities Health Network
Increasing access to food in the Sooke Region

Take a Hike Youth Mental Health Foundation
Take a Hike Cowichan Program

The Chuan Community Arts Society
Gabriel's Kitchen

The Galiano Club
Good Food Box Galiano Pilot Project

Umbrella Society for Addictions and Mental Health
Umbrella Cooking Academy

Victoria Community Food Hub Society
Nourish: a Food Equity Project

Victoria Disability Resource Centre
Lived Experiences Around Disability (LEAD)

Victoria Native Friendship Centre
Nourish and Network

Victoria Women's Transition House Society
50+ Support Group Project


View previous recipients