When community members work together, remarkable things can happen. The same is true when organizations collaborate on shared goals B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·“ the impact can be so much greater that when groups work alone.

In response to the many community organizations seeking support for greater collaboration, Victoria Foundation launched its Collaboration Grant Stream in 2017, part of its  that earlier this year distributed $6.194 million to 252 organizations through its Vital Stream.

Continuing that work, this year's FoundationB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s Collaboration Stream is divided into two categories, reflecting the evolving ways community organizations look to overcome challenges and make positive change happen:

1. Collaborative Practice Innovation grants B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·“ developed in response to the growing number of collaboratives focused on strengthening the non-profit and charitable sector through strategic collaboration.
2. Collaborating for Systems Change grants B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·“ focusing on efforts to disrupt the status quo and address the underlying root causes that hold a complex community problem in place.

Approximately $700,000 total funding is available to support collaborations in the Greater Victoria region, available thanks to donor-advised funds, discretionary funds, Community Action Funds, and the B.C. Government's Community Prosperity Fund B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·“ a $25-million investment into the provinceB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s non-profit sector.

Application are open until Oct. 3 for the Community Grants ProgramB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s Collaboration Stream. Email grants@victoriafoundation.bc.ca to receive an access code before you apply.

Also open Oct. 1 through Nov. 4 is the grant call for the Indigenous Priorities Fund, with $675,000 available for granting in fall 2024.

This fund aims to benefit and support thriving social, cultural and legal infrastructure for Indigenous communities in the capital region. Last year, the Indigenous Granting Advisory, led by Indigenous community members, granted $506,000 to 17 Nations, organizations and programs.

Granting priority is given to the following applications (in this order):

1. Nations
2. Indigenous-led organizations
3. Organizations that are not Indigenous-led but that offer Indigenous-serving programs 

Applicants must be based within the capital region and the benefits of their proposed initiative must serve Indigenous people living in this region. Please review this map: .

Grant amounts for 2024 granting call will be:

1. Up to $50,000 for Nations.
2. Up to $25,000 for individual organizations.
3. Up to $50,000 for organizations collaborating with a Nation with a band council resolution (BCR) confirming support.
4. Up to $25,000 for organizations collaborating (one of which should be an Indigenous organization).

To learn more about granting opportunities through the Victoria Foundation, visit .

The Foundation has been connecting people who care with causes that matter since 1936. To explore how you can make a difference in your community, contact the Foundation about donor-advised funds, Community Action Funds, legacy giving or a variety of other opportunities B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·“ .