The City of Abbotsford is committed to helping our community build strong, healthy, and cohesive neighbourhoods. We want to invite residents to be a part of building relationships, promoting neighbourhood safety and creating a sense of community, while getting out to meet their neighbours and have fun!
Neighbourhood Grants
The regular Neighbourhood Small Grants (NSG) Program is currently closed due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. Please contact our Community and Special Events Coordinator with questions regarding the status of your project.
The City of Abbotsford has partnered up with the Vancouver Foundation and the Abbotsford Community Foundation to launch the Responsive Neighbourhood Small Grants (R-NSG) which will fund small-scale projects that reduce social isolation. R-NSG projects must adhere to physical distancing guidelines in response to the COVID-19 global pandemic and invite individuals to dream up creative projects that address the following areas:
- tackle and address social isolation,
- build community strength and resilience, and
- foster community creativity and wellbeing
R-NSG grants range from $50 to $1000 and are intended to help you bring your project to life. If you plan to host skill-sharing projects, you can also spend up to $350 of the project budget providing honorariums – this includes yourself.
Any resident of Abbotsford may apply.
How to Apply
The application deadline for 2020 is now closed. Please check back April 2021 for details on the upcoming grant cycle.
Need some ideas?
R-NSG is encouraging new ways to connect, but the principles of NSG remain the same. Small is beautiful, everyone has something to offer, it's your project, and you create your chosen family.
R-NSG project leaders may choose to address social isolation for vulnerable community members through activities like dropping-off care package, sewing and distributing masks. Other R-NSG projects may involve sharing skills and talents through online platforms. Examples may include hosting a webinar on a topic you are passionate about, cooking demonstrations, storytelling, or mindfulness workshops.
Get Creative!
Physical distancing may keep us apart, but we also know that this is a catalytic opportunity to explore new, innovative ways to build community together. So, how can you get creative in quarantine? Your community will thank you.
Magic happens when neighbours cross the street and team up with each other to bring an idea to life. It forms friendships, makes our streets safer, and keeps us connected to others. The City of Abbotsford is pleased to partner with the Abbotsford Community Foundation and the Vancouver Foundation to offer Neighbourhood Spirit Grants for projects with a focus on improving an Abbotsford neighbourhood.
The Neighbourhood Small Grants program help residents of any age, experience, or background take part in building community. In addition, the City of Abbotsford also has a free Community Event Tool-Kit available for residents to borrow for their neighbourhood events.
If you are a City of Abbotsford resident and would like to increase the vibrancy of your neighbourhood, while getting to know your neighbours, below are the types of grants you should apply for:
Sponsors
Thank you to the sponsors of the Neighbourhood Spirit Small Grants:
Neighbourhood Connection
This category is for projects that enhance the connections in a community. These projects could include “Neighborhood Night” block parties, sport & culture activities, and workshops. Activities where residents share their knowledge and skills with other community members are encouraged; as well as projects that inspire the participation of children and youth.
Neighbourhood Beautification
This category is for projects that have the goal of refreshing or making a public space more beautiful and inviting. Some examples include park or neighborhood clean-ups, fence painting, gardening, trail and sign refurbishing.
Neighbourhood Safety
This category is for residents who want to improve the safety of their neighbourhood environment. Examples of eligible projects could include landscaping for visibility and surveillance, street lighting, graffiti clean-ups, and the re-design of public space to deter crime. Block watch activities and emergency planning can also be included in this category.
Who can apply? Abbotsford residents and students in groups of two or more. Please note, applications are not accepted from registered organizations or associations.
Projects must be held in Abbotsford, be inclusive to all, and free to attend!
Check out the Neighbourhood Small Grants: How it works video for more details and ideas.
The Community Event Tool-Kit is a resource of equipment available for residents hosting an approved Neighbourhood Block-Party or Outdoor Public Event. Included in the Event-Kit are tables, chairs, tents, and outdoor games.
Neighbourhoood Associations & Resources
Some neighbourhoods have neighbourhood associations. A neighbourhood association is a group of neighbours that want improve their neighbourhood, or just get to know their neighbours better. Neighbourhood associations give residents a forum to discuss common concerns and to brainstorm possible solutions.
- Abbotsford’s neighbourhood and community associations
- Map of Abbotsford’s communities (many communities have multiple neighbourhoods)
Neighbourhoods have gathered around:
- Block parties
- Neighbourhood clean-ups
- Beautification projects
- Safety such as Block Watch or Seniors Watch
If you are interested in starting a neighbourhood association or holding a neighbourhood gathering in your neighbourhood email the Community Developer or call 604-557-1464.
To learn more about how you can become involved in building a vibrant and healthy neighbourhood, contact the Community Developer at 604-557-1464.