Community Grant Program

Eligible projects must be new initiatives and may focus on one or more of the following areas:

• Arts and culture
• Community engagement and local events
• Destination tourism events
• Environmental stewardship and sustainability
• Emergency preparedness and community resilience
• Place-based education
• Youth development and inclusion
• Health and wellness
• Reconciliation, diversity, and accessibility

Projects should demonstrate clear community benefit and align with District priorities.

You may be eligible to apply if you are:

• A community-based, non-profit organization, incorporated society, or registered charity, or
• A volunteer or unincorporated group with an eligible fiscal sponsor

Projects must primarily benefit Sooke residents and take place within District boundaries.

• Maximum financial grant: Up to $5,000 per organization per year
• In-kind support (subject to operational capacity):
  • Access to municipal parks or facilities
  • Associated permits
  • District-owned equipment
  • Limited event support
• Overtime and additional staffing costs are not eligible as in-kind support.
• Total funding available is determined annually through the District’s budget process.

The Community Grant Program supports new, project-based initiatives that benefit Sooke residents. The following are not eligible:

1. Core operating expenses

We do not fund ongoing, day-to-day organizational costs.

Examples of ineligible core operating costs:

• Regular office rent or mortgage payments
• Ongoing staff salaries or administrative wages
• Utilities, insurance, bookkeeping, or audit fees
• General website maintenance or annual software subscriptions
• Annual membership fees or routine program delivery costs

Tip: If you are requesting funding for a specific new event, workshop, or time-limited initiative, clearly separate those project costs from your regular operating expenses.

2. Political activities or advocacy

We do not fund activities intended to influence government policy, legislation, or elections.

Examples of ineligible political activities:

• Campaigns supporting or opposing a candidate or political party
• Lobbying efforts to change legislation or municipal bylaws
• Rallies, petitions, or advocacy campaigns focused on public policy change
• Production of materials primarily intended to influence voting outcomes

3. Religious worship or faith promotion

We do not fund activities whose primary purpose is religious worship, proselytizing, or faith-based instruction.

Examples of ineligible religious activities:

• Worship services or prayer gatherings
• Faith-based instruction or doctrinal teaching
• Events intended primarily to promote a specific religion

However, community events hosted by faith-based organizations may be eligible if they are:

• Open to the broader community
• Non-denominational in nature
• Focused on cultural, social, or community-building outcomes

4. Projects outside District priorities or boundaries

We do not fund projects that:

• Take place primarily outside the District of Sooke
• Do not clearly benefit Sooke residents
• Duplicate existing programs without demonstrating added community value

• Key Dates:
  • Applications open: March 1
  • Application deadline: April 8
• Applications must be submitted online and completed in full by the deadline. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Successful applicants will be notified following Council approval.

Applications are reviewed by District staff using Council-approved criteria and referred to Council for final approval.

Evaluation considers factors such as:

• Alignment with District priorities (20%)
• Community benefit & engagement (20%)
• Innovation & creativity (15%)
• Environmental/social/emergency preparedness value (15%)
• Feasibility & organizational capacity (10%)
• Collaboration & partnerships (10%)
• Financial need & budget clarity (10%)

Grant recipients must submit a brief final report within 60 days of completing their project. The report outlines:

• Project outcomes and participation
• Community impact
• How grant funds were used

Failure to submit a report may affect eligibility for future grants.

All recipients must acknowledge the District of Sooke’s support. Depending on the project, this may include:

• Displaying the District logo on promotional materials
• Acknowledging the District on social media or event announcements
• Verbal recognition at events, where appropriate

A new initiative is a project, event, or program that is being launched for the first time, or a meaningful evolution of an existing program that introduces something substantially new.

This may include:

• Launching a brand-new event, service, or pilot program
• Expanding an existing program to reach a new audience
• Introducing a new component, format, or creative approach
• Testing an innovative idea that responds to an emerging community need

The Community Grant Program is intended to provide seed funding to help organizations develop and launch new ideas. These grants are not designed to provide ongoing or standing financial support for regular operations or recurring annual costs.

If your initiative has received funding in previous years, your application should clearly demonstrate how this year’s proposal represents a new phase, expansion, or creative evolution — rather than continued delivery of the same program in the same format.

In general, grants are intended to help:

• Pilot a new concept
• Build capacity
• Leverage additional funding
• Create momentum for long-term sustainability

Ongoing operating expenses, routine program delivery, or annual events without meaningful change are not considered new initiatives.

If you’re unsure whether your project qualifies, please contact us before applying.

We do not fund:

• Core operating expenses (e.g., ongoing rent, regular staffing, utilities)
• Political campaigns or advocacy intended to influence elections or legislation
• Religious worship or faith-based instruction
• Projects outside Sooke or without clear benefit to Sooke residents
• Retroactive funding for projects already completed

See the “What We Can’t Fund” section above for more detailed examples.

Organizations may apply for up to $5,000 per calendar year.

The Community Grant Program is a competitive process, and funding is limited. In most years, the program is oversubscribed, with total requests exceeding the available budget.

For this reason, we encourage applicants to:

• Request only the amount needed to deliver the proposed initiative
• Ensure the request reflects good value for community benefit
• Identify other confirmed or potential funding sources where possible
• Demonstrate how the project can be sustainable beyond this initial seed funding

Applying for the maximum amount does not increase the likelihood of approval. Applications are evaluated based on community benefit, alignment with District priorities, feasibility, and overall impact relative to the funding requested.

All funding decisions are subject to Council approval and available budget.

Yes, but the total amount requested per organization cannot exceed $5,000 in a calendar year.

Strong applications clearly explain:

• Who will benefit and how many people you expect to reach
• How the project aligns with District priorities
• Your timeline and delivery plan
• Any partnerships or collaborations
• A clear, balanced budget
• How you will measure success

Be specific and concise. 

Applications are evaluated based on:

• Community benefit and engagement
• Alignment with District priorities
• Innovation or creativity
• Feasibility and organizational capacity
• Collaboration and partnerships
• Financial need and budget clarity

Clearly addressing these areas will strengthen your submission.

You may request in-kind support (such as use of municipal park rentals, permits, communications support, etc.), subject to operational capacity. Overtime costs are not eligible.

Please clearly indicate any in-kind requests in your application.

Applications open in March 1 and close April 8 each year.

Late submissions cannot be accepted.

1. Staff review applications for eligibility and completeness.
2. Applications are evaluated and brought forward for Council consideration.
3. Council makes final funding decisions.
4. Applicants are notified of the outcome.

Successful applicants will receive funding after Council approval and completion of any required documentation, typically by May 30.

Yes. A final report is required within 60 days of project completion.

The report must describe:

• What was delivered
• Participation levels
• Outcomes achieved
• How funds were used
• How the District was recognized

Failure to submit a final report may affect eligibility for future funding.

Successful applicants must acknowledge the District’s support. This may include:

• Displaying the District logo
• Verbal recognition at events
• Social media acknowledgment
• Inclusion in promotional materials