Public Health Association of BC Public Health Association of BC

Rapid Stimulus Grant

Watch the webinar above to learn more about the Rapid Stimulus Grant.

 

Overview

The Rapid Stimulus Grant for Food Systems Transformation (RSG) is a grant made possible through the Government of BC through the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction to distribute one-time grants for non-profits in Northern BC to advance transformation in the food system. Applicants will be asked to describe how their projects improve community food security. See resources below for more information.

 

Congratulations to RSG Recipients!

The Public Health Association of British Columbia (PHABC) and Food Banks BC (FBBC) are proud to announce that the Rapid Stimulus Grants for Food Systems Transformation have been awarded to 36 innovative projects across Northern BC, totaling $800,000 in funding. The projects through this grant will be inspiring and transformational for local and regional food systems resilience, equity, and capacity-building. We look forward to the evolution of these initiatives and remain committed to supporting the communities undertaking this vital work. We gratefully acknowledge the Province of BC for making this grant possible.

Below is a map of the grantees across the Northern Region.

 

Criteria

PHABC and FBBC are committed to supporting a wide range of Food Security initiatives in Northern British Columbia. Eligible organizations are located within the Northern Health Authority Region. We will prioritize organizations that can demonstrate the following:

  • Systems-design approach
  • Sustainable design (project can continue after funding ends)
  • Demographics (serves equity-deserving groups)
  • Financial need and resilience
  • Organizational strength and resilience

 

Key Dates

  • March 1 – grant portal opens
  • March 12 – virtual grant info session
  • April 19 – grant portal closes
  • May – funding decisions and disbursement

 

How to Apply

This grant is a low-barrier and inclusive grant, with a focus on trust-based philanthropy, and serving equity-deserving communities and projects. Therefore, we accept various forms of submission, including the completion of the application questions, or submission by phone call or video. Please contact Julia Gellman, Manager of Community Food Development at PHABC, to make alternative application arrangements:

Julia Gellman (she/her)
Manager of Community Food Development
Public Health Association of BC
FoodSystems.Manager@phabc.org

The grant portal will open on March 1 2024, and close on April 19 2024 at 4pm.

 

Available Grants

With funding of $5,000 to $25,000 available per project, we aim to fund approximately 40 projects.

 

Examples of Projects

  • Shopping model at a food bank
  • Fresh food supplement for hampers
  • Volunteer recruitment/ retention strategy
  • Staff professional development and training, etc.
  • Analysis of assets/ programs
  • Fundraising plan
  • Communications strategy
  • Research projects
  • Shared infrastructure/ tools with other organizations
  • Community engagement plan
  • Collaboration/ relationship building
  • Advocacy and policy work
  • Systems re-design projects
    • Streamlining access to local growers
    • Increasing purchasing power
    • Food recapture
    • Diversifying models and markets

 

Eligible Organizations

  • Non-profit organizations
  • First Nations
  • Other qualified donees

 

Eligible Expenses

  • Staffing costs
  • Projects, programs or initiatives
  • Organizational capacity building (e.g. staff professional development/training, collaborations and resource creation/sharing)
  • Strategic Improvements (e.g. analysis of assets/programs, plans for communications, fundraising, volunteer recruitment etc.)
  • General operating costs (rent, utilities, insurance, etc.)
  • Technology adaptation/upgrading

 

Exceptions

The following expenses are ineligible for funding unless they are clearly linked to systems re-design. Please reach out to us if you need to clarify if food or capital costs are eligible expenses for your application.

  • Food Purchasing
  • Capital costs (physical assets)

 

Ineligible Expenses

  • Sponsorships
  • Political activities that are prohibited by the CRA
  • Deficit reduction
  • Retroactive expenses (any expenses incurred before March 2024)

 

Application Resources

 

Contact

Julia Gellman (she/her)
Manager of Community Food Development
Public Health Association of BC
Foodsystems.manager@phabc.org