Updated January 20, 2023

Community Grants Program

The District of Sooke offers a Community Grants Program to contribute funding to local non-profit organizations that contribute to the well-being of the community.

Related documents:

Application deadline: March 15th each year


Eligibility

To be eligible, applicants must be a not-for-profit organization (incorporated under Society Act of BC) or an unincorporated group with demonstrated objectives that are not-for-profit or charitable in nature and be located primarily within the District of Sooke or offer programs or events within the District of Sooke.

Applications must demonstrate a benefit to the District of Sooke community in one or more of the following areas:

  • Sports and recreation
  • Fine Arts and culture
  • Heritage
  • Public safety
  • Community development, including promotion and economic development
  • Community beautification
  • Environmental sustainability

Funding Limitations

Community grants may be awarded for any amount up to, but not exceeding $7,000 annually. A community grant exceeding $7,000 in any given year may only be awarded by a unanimous resolution of Council.


Application Procedure

  1. Review the Community Grant & Sponsorship Policy in full before applying
  2. Submit your completed application form with any supporting information by the March 15, 2022 deadline. Applications can be received:
    1. By email to finance@sooke.ca with the subject COMMUNITY GRANT APPLICATION and the name of your organization
    2. In-person at the District of Sooke Municipal Hall, located at 2205 Otter Point Road (hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, excluding statutory holidays). As per current health orders, persons who enter the hall must be wearing a mask and complete a health declaration.
  3. Community grant applicants will be invited to appear before Council to speak to their application. Each presentation will be limited to 5 minutes, not including Council questions for the applicant. A presentation to Council is not required for an application to be considered. All community grant decisions by Council are final and not subject to appeal.

Results of community grant applications will be made known to the public through the issuance of a press release, following approval by Council.


Contact

Questions regarding the Community Grants Program can be directed to Finance at finance@sooke.ca or 250.642.1634


Recipients

  • Note: Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, 2020 community grants were not issued.
2022 (total disbursed: $83,440)

2022 contributions were allocated from a combination of Community Grants and the COVID Safe Restart Reserve Fund.  This Fund is available to aid programs supporting vulnerable populations, persons living with disabilities, mental illness and addictions, and persons experiencing homelessness.

2019 (total disbursed: $63,320)
  • Amber Academy Youth Fine Arts Society
  • EMCS Society
  • Fred Milne Park Society
  • Harmony Project Society of BC
  • Intermunicipal Advisory Committee on Disability
  • Juan de Fuca Park Watch Society
  • Kids Sport Greater Victoria
  • NEED 2- Suicide Prevention Education
  • Sooke Community Choir Society
  • Sooke Crisis Centre Association
  • Sooke Family Resource Society
  • Sooke Festival Society
  • Sooke Food Bank Society
  • Sooke Harbour Players Society
  • Sooke Minor Fastball Association
  • Sooke Sailing Association
  • Sooke Shelter
  • Sooke Tennis and Pickleball Group
  • Sooke Region Community Health Initiative

2018 (total disbursed: $45,572)
  • Amber Academy Youth Fine Arts Society
  • Caravan Stage Society
  • J Mayers Group- Productions
  • NEED 2- Suicide Prevention
  • Sooke Canada Day Society
  • Sooke Community Arts Council
  • Sooke River Bluegrass Festival Society
  • Vancouver Island South Film and Media Commission
  • Sooke Crisis Centre Association
  • Sooke Philharmonic Society

2017 (total disbursed: $50,061)
  • Journey Middle School PAC-Youth Summit
  • Harmony Project Society of BC
  • Juan de Fuca Ground Search & Rescue
  • Juan de Fuca Marine Rescue Society
  • Meals on Wheels
  • Royal Canadian Legion- Branch #54
  • EMCS Arts Dept- Bus Shelter Project
  • Sooke Elderly Citizen’s Housing Society
  • Sooke Philharmonic Society
  • Sooke Fall Fair
  • Sooke Music Festival
  • Sooke Baptist Church
  • Sooke Community Choir Society
  • Sooke Harbour Players Society
  • Sooke Transition Town Society- Zero Waste

2016 (total disbursed: $57,437)
  • Citizens on Patrol Sooke
  • EMCS Society for the Sooke Youth Council
  • JDF Regional Park Watch Society
  • NEED2 – Suicide Prevention, Education and Awareness
  • Sooke Community Arts Council
  • Sooke Family Resource Society
  • Sooke Fine Arts Society
  • Sooke Food Bank Society
  • Sooke Lions Club
  • Sooke Region Food Community Health Initiative
  • Sooke Residents in Need Society—Crisis Centre Program
  • Sooke Transition Town Society—Wild Wise Sooke
  • Vancouver Island South Film and Media Commission


Additional Historical Information