Inspiring Community Grants

You are eligible to apply for an Inspiring Community Grant if you are:

• Student, faculty, staff at UBC Vancouver
• Resident (children and adults) from Musqueam, University Neighbourhood Association (UNA), or Acadia Park Residence.

This grant supports projects led by individuals or groups. Families or informal community groups (student or community clubs, PACs, etc.) are welcome to apply.

Businesses, registered organizations and non-profits are not eligible to apply.

If you are not eligible or are a member of the UBC Okanagan community, please look through the NSG network for a neighbourhood grant program in your community.

With the belief that small ideas can start a ripple to make big impacts, this grant is intended for small scale projects in UBC, Musqueam, UNA and Acadia Park communities that fulfil these objectives:

• Connect people socially in a meaningful way
• Facilitate community-led cultural, knowledge or skill exchange
• Inspire others to get involved in their community

With the idea that everyone is invited, projects must provide free participation, and be accessible and inclusive to members of the UBC Vancouver, Musqueam, UNA and Acadia Park communities.

All projects must have a total budget of $500 or less and adhere to the latest UBC and BC Government’s public health guidelines.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. It can take up to 15 business days for your application to be evaluated, plus more time to receive the grant funding.

Please submit your application with at least one month between your application date and the project date, otherwise the committee may not consider your application. Please note that we will not review or fund implemented project (i.e. projects that have already been publicly promoted or to retroactively grant funding).

Before applying, please review the guidelines to ensure this grant can fund your project:

• This grant will only fund small projects that fulfill the community-building objectives listed above (see What types of projects receive funding?).
• Projects awarded funding must be completed by March 1, 2027.
• Applicants should submit their application a minimum one month before the project launch date. The review process can take up to 15 business days, followed by more time to receive the funds from UBC Finance.
• In-person projects can only take place on UBC Vancouver campus, UNA or Musqueam.
• Projects must provide free, inclusive and accessible participation to members of the UBC Vancouver, Musqueam, UNA and Acadia Park communities.
• For groups that apply, including AMS clubs, the activities must be promoted and open to the community at large and not primarily serve the group membership.
• The project budget must be below $500. This grant does not fund large scale conferences, festivals or any initiatives with multiple funding sources.
• Funding priority will be given to new initiatives. Previously funded projects will only be considered for funding again if the project has a demonstrated community need and new components.
• An applicant may only apply for one project at a time and can receive up to one grant per cycle.
• A project may only apply for and be funded by one grant from UBC Inspired or NSG, and not both.
• Recipients must keep original receipts of all expenses and submit copies in a report upon completing the project.
• Any unused funds must be returned to Campus and Community Planning at the end of the grant cycle. Instructions will be provided.

To support the idea that small is beautiful, the budget of each application is expected to be under $500. Projects can ask for in-kind donations as long as the scale of the project remains within the $500 budget.

This grant can be used to fund these expenses for your project:

• Supplies, transportation, professional services, and acknowledging services provided by others in the form of an honorarium.
• An honorarium is a small payment for in-kind skills or expertise contributed to the project. Please note that project leaders are not eligible to receive an honorarium.
• There is no limit on the number of honorariums; however, each individual may receive up to $100. Exceptions may be requested, with final amounts determined at the discretion of the selection committee.
• Project leaders are encouraged to shop local and make sustainable purchases, as well as look for opportunities to reuse, rent, and borrow.

This grant can NOT be used for:

• Projects that are implemented before the grant decision is made. The project, including any promotions, can only start after the grant has been awarded.
• Costs that would be covered by other UBC departmental budgets
• Expenses that primarily serve the membership of a club and group
• Any on-going administrative or operational expenses
• Equipment and furniture purchases
• Donations or fundraising
• Applicants cannot profit financially from their projects or award themselves an honorarium

Gather inspiration for your project through our collection of grant spotlight stories and the list of recipients from past grant cycles. 

Check out what past community members have to say about hosting a project for the community:

“I am grateful for the approachable nature of the grant, as well as the quick responses from the committee. The work they do makes the grant feels highly approachable, accessible, and encourages beginners to apply and engage with UBC inspired.”

“Thank you so much for this initiative of funding ideas. I loved it and the people as well.  When can I apply again?”

“This was a really great opportunity and I was very glad to be able to share my skills with the community.”

“I truly enjoyed implementing this project and I appreciate the support from staff and the community gave me to make this project come to fruition. Thank you so much!”