LEVEL BIPOC Grants

Geographic Scope: British Columbia

Focus Areas:

• Racial justice and equity work
• BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour) led initiatives
• Arts and culture as platforms for advocacy, healing, and storytelling
• Culturally relevant supports for racialized newcomers
• Indigenous leadership and governance in environmental stewardship
• Equitable access and healing in Black communities

Eligibility:

• Organizations must be BIPOC-led
• Focus on pursuing hopes and aspirations in service of justice and equity

Funding Approach:

• Flexible, core/general operating grants
• Multi-year funding supported
• Relational grantmaking approach
• No final reports required; instead collective learning and reflection opportunities

Program Features:

• Application via recorded one-hour oral conversations with staff and advisors (not written application forms)
• Focus on trust-based and relational grantmaking
• Total of $1.5 million awarded in 2021, plus additional $500,000 from anonymous donor
• 42 organizations awarded funding in first cycle

Application Process

Original Application Method (2020-2021 cycle):

1. Applicants invited to participate in recorded one-hour conversation instead of written application form
2. Conversation held with Vancouver Foundation staff and 1-2 advisors
3. Discussion topics include:
   • Organization and its leadership
   • How grant would contribute to pursuing hopes and dreams for effecting change
   • Organization's aspirations, needs, and priorities
4. No budget submission required in traditional format

Reporting:

• No final reports required
• Grantees invited to participate in collective learning and reflection opportunities
• Focus on sharing learnings, challenges, and resources among grantee community

Note: This program is no longer active as of the provided information date (April 3, 2026). The last cycle was in 2020-2021.