Library small grants

City Library’s Small Grants program supports community-led projects that help make our city a more connected, inclusive, and vibrant place to live.

Through these small grants, we invite residents to partner with NVCL to create public programs, events, and projects that reflect our community’s diverse voices and needs — connecting people to information, ideas, and one another. Whether you’re organizing a storytelling night, art workshop, cultural celebration, or neighbourhood skill-share, we want to hear about your idea!

The Library Small Grants program offers grants of up to $500 to City of North Vancouver residents who are excited to offer free programs that foster connection and belonging. Projects should align with the library’s commitment to equity, diversity, accessibility, and co-creation with community — and make creative use of the library’s spaces, resources, staff, books, technology, or Creation Stations.

Programs that build local capacity, encourage collaboration, or support learning and literacy in all its forms are especially welcome. All projects must be completed by the end of 2026.

If you have a great idea but need help shaping it, we’re here to support you.

Please review our Strategic Plan(7 MB) and Public Programming Policy before submitting your application. 

Eligibility

Our eligibility criteria are designed to ensure that grants support a diverse range of cross-culture-focused, inclusive community projects.

• Two applicants living in the same community and from different households are required on every application. Both applicants are responsible for managing the grant money.
• The main applicant must live in the City of North Vancouver. Use this map to find the City of North Vancouver boundary.
• Main applicants can apply for one library small grants project per year. Co-applicants can only be used on two applications.
• Your project must be free, accessible and welcoming to all. You may not charge entrance fees, request donations or fundraise for other projects and/or organizations.
• You may not profit financially from the project. Registered organizations and businesses are not eligible to apply.
• You must begin your project after the grant decision is made. Projects are not supported retroactively.

Planning your project

• Any equipment, materials or supplies purchased using grant money will remain the property of North Vancouver City Library
• Grant money may be used for honorariums with a maximum allowable amount of $50 per person, with total honorarium(s) not exceeding $100 or 50% of the project budget (whichever is less)
• When creating a project budget, determine the actual cost of items to be used, and think resourcefully about how to obtain materials through borrowing or donations
• Applicants are responsible for keeping expense receipts to account for project costs
• If your project is going to be on public space (e.g. neighbourhood street, public spaces or parks), please consider that projects taking place on neighbourhood streets or public spaces/parks are required to comply with municipal by-laws
• Applicants are required to know relevant information about permits and liability insurance they may require, and account for the time needed to process these requests at the municipal office
• Applicants must get appropriate permits and liability insurance prior to project start date
• All projects must follow current provincial health orders and health and safety protocols

The application deadline is Oct. 6, 2025

Apply for a grant