Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Grants

Under the BC Multiculturalism Act, annual Multicultural and Anti-Racism Grants are offered to registered non-profit and other eligible organizations.

Last updated: November 2, 2022

On this page

• How the program works
• Program funding
• Determine your eligibility
• How to use the grant
• Application requirements
• Reporting requirements

How the program works

Under the annual multiculturalism and anti-racism grant program, funds are available to support projects that build intercultural interaction, trust and understanding, or challenge racism, hate and systemic barriers. 

In 2022-23, the program focus is on projects that seek to reduce systemic racism, hate incidents, and build capacity in racialized communities. Preference will be given to applications submitted by racialized and marginalized groups.

Applicants seeking funding for festivals or cultural celebrations should email multiculturalism@gov.bc.ca prior to submitting an application to discuss the eligibility of their proposal.

Projects must start on or after March 1, 2023 and end by March 31, 2024. 

Program funding

In the 2022-23 grants cycle, eligible organizations can apply for grants up to $5,000. 

Determine your eligibility

Organizations eligible to apply:

• Registered non-profits, incorporated, and in good standing under the Societies Act [SBC2015], or a British Columbia-based, federally registered charity, also in good standing
• Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit or Métis) governments, tribal councils, band councils, or organizations
• Provincial public institutions such as boards of education, schools, colleges and universities, libraries, chambers of commerce, hospitals and other health-care institutions with at least one BIPOC-led non-profit society as a partner
• Municipal and regional district governments with at least one BIPOC-led non-profit society as a partner
• Private sector organizations with at least one BIPOC-led non-profit society as a partner

Eligible organizations must have a British Columbia address.

How to use the grant

Eligible grant expenses 

Eligible expenses must be the direct costs needed to administer the project. Grant recipients ​may spend funding in one or more of the following categories:

• Equipment rental, such as:
  • Lighting, sound, and audio-visual
  • Sports equipment
• COVID-19 protocol related costs, such as: 
  • Personal protective equipment
  • Online hosting fees
  • Digital content creation
  • Virtual technology requirements
  • Other relates costs incurred due to COVID-19 protocols at the time of program delivery
• ​​Event or workshop materials, such as: 
  • Pens, paper, and other tools
• Fees, such as: 
  • Project coordinator’s fees
  • Facilitators’, artists’ or coaches’ fees
  • Workshop fees
  • Training/educational fees
  • Performance fees
• Food and beverage, such as: 
  • Food and non-alcoholic beverages for participants and volunteers
• Honorariums, fees, and contract agreements for: 
  • Indigenous or other cultural elders
  • Facilitators, speakers, artists, coaches, and cultural workers
  • Technicians

Note: Conflicts of interest need to be identified in advance

• ​​Marketing and communications, such as:
  • Newspaper ads
  • Graphic design fees
• Transportation costs where transportation is a barrier to participation
• Venue rental, such as:
  • Any identified programming space
• Volunteer expenses, such as:
  • T-shirts (for identification purposes only)
  • Refreshments​

Ineligible grant expenses 

Applications seeking grant funding to cover expenses in one or more of the following categories will not be considered:

• Salaries and fees not directly related to delivering the project
• Fundraising beyond project cost-recovery
• Capital projects
• Major equipment purchases
• Alcohol
• Recurring business expenses, such as:
  • Rental of office space
  • Utility, telephone and other recurring expenses

Applicants seeking funding for festivals or cultural celebrations should email multiculturalism@gov.bc.ca before submitting an application to discuss the eligibility of their proposal.