Grant Seekers

Funding opportunities that help strengthen the North Okanagan.

Community Foundation North Okanagan offers grant opportunities and partnership programs that support charities, non-profits, and individuals working to strengthen our communities. Some programs are annual, some are offered through partners, and others arise in response to urgent needs or emerging opportunities. We encourage you to review the options below and reach out if you are unsure which program may be the best fit.

Not sure which program fits your project? Reach out before applying, we’re happy to help.

Contact us at 250-542-8677 or info@cfno.org.

Recent Grants List

Recognition guidelines

If your organization receives funding from CFNO, we appreciate public recognition wherever possible. We understand that the type of recognition you are able to provide will depend on the nature of how you handle recognition at your organization, and we would not expect you to do anything that doesn’t align with your organization’s values.

Logo Use and Recognition Guidelines

Current and recurring grant programs:

Smart & Caring Community Grants Program

Our responsive annual grant program supports a wide range of health, social, cultural, educational, and environmental initiatives that address priorities in the North Okanagan. This program is designed for organizations serving local residents.

Who it’s for:
Registered charities, other CRA-recognised qualified donees, and organisations applying through a charitable partner that provide direct service to people living in the North Okanagan.

Timeline: Applications open annually on March 1 and close March 31.

Learn more & Apply

Neighbourhood Small Grants

Neighbourhood Small Grants support small-scale community-building projects led by local residents. Individuals can apply for up to $500 to bring people together, strengthen neighbourhood connections, and reduce social isolation through creative, community-led projects.

Who it’s for: Individuals and small volunteer-based neighbourhood or community groups/clubs.
Timeline: Updated for 2026 — applications open Tuesday, April 7, 2026 and close Friday, May 15, 2026. (annually this program opens in April for approximately one month)
Partners: Vancouver Foundation, Regional District of North Okanagan, and Community Foundation South Okanagan Similkameen

Learn more & Apply

Partner-administered opportunities:

Impact and Leadership Development Program

A grant-supported coaching program for emerging social entrepreneurs and impact leaders seeking support to build sustainable revenue and long-term impact.

Who it’s for:
Emerging social entrepreneurs and impact leaders — primarily charities and nonprofits in the Thompson-Okanagan region, and in some cases for-profit social enterprises — who are ready to strengthen their impact, sustainability, and leadership capacity through coaching.

Timeline: Applications are accepted annually and administered by Purppl.
Partners: United Way BC, Interior Savings (a trade name of Beem Credit Union), Community Foundation North Okanagan, Community Foundation of the South Okanagan-Similkameen, Central Okanagan Foundation, Valley First, a Division of First West Credit Union, Prince George Community Foundation, and Purppl as coaching provider.

View partner application dates

Strategic and flexible funding:

Impact Fund

The Impact Fund is CFNO’s flexible and strategic funding pool. It allows the Foundation to respond quickly when urgent community needs arise, strengthen the reach of Smart & Caring Community Grants, and support high-impact opportunities that emerge between regular granting cycles.

Timeline: This fund is not presented like a standard annual intake. Instead, it helps CFNO act where timely, responsive, or especially high-value opportunities arise, including emergency response, strategic top-ups to community grants, and emerging opportunities between cycles.

Have a timely or emerging opportunity to discuss? We encourage you to reach out to us to explore whether there may be alignment.

Learn more about the Impact Fund

Past grant programs and one-time opportunities

These programs represent past partnerships or one-time opportunities and are not currently accepting applications.

  • A one-time funding opportunity for charities and non-profits working to address poverty reduction and social inclusion in British Columbia.

    Status: Applications closed November 2024; this was not an annual program.
    Partners: Community Foundation North Okanagan, Central Okanagan Foundation, and Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen

  • Support for charities and non-profits adapting to the long-term impacts of the pandemic.

    Partners: Canadian Red Cross, Community Foundations of Canada, and United Way Centraide Canada

  • Grants for young people up to age 25 partnering with a charitable organisation to create positive change in their local community.

    Partners: United Way, Gennext Kelowna, Central Okanagan Foundation, Community Foundation South Okanagan Similkameen

  • A capacity-building program designed to help social purpose organizations prepare for and access social finance investment.

    Partners: Community Foundations of Canada, the Government of Canada, and partner organizations

  • Rapid funding for charities and non-profits serving populations experiencing vulnerability during COVID-19.

    Partners: Community Foundations of Canada, United Way, the Canadian Red Cross, and the Government of Canada

  • Support for communities adapting public spaces in response to the realities of COVID-19.

    Partners: Community Foundations of Canada, the Government of Canada, and other BC community foundations in Southern BC