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Grant application FAQs

Last updated on December 11, 2025

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Why did the Ministry switch to online application forms?

Online application forms will facilitate a more efficient application and review process and minimize the likelihood of applicant errors that can lead to delays. We are hopeful that in the future, online applications will lead to a shorter period of time between when an application is submitted and when the funding decision is announced.

May I submit a PDF application form instead?

All applicants are strongly encouraged to use the online application form. If you need help using the online application form, you may contact Ministry staff at CFOgrants@gov.bc.ca. If you have a barrier to using the online application form, please let us know and we will work with you on an alternative form of submission.

May I submit a faxed or scanned application?

No. We will not consider faxed or scanned applications. Please apply using the online application.

Can I edit the Budget Template if I do not have Excel on my computer?

If you do not have Excel on your computer, you may open the Budget Template in your internet browser Excel for Web (free). If you need further support, please email CFOgrants@gov.bc.ca.  

The budget template is asking me for a password, what do I do?

You are only able to edit the blank fields in the ‘Budget Template’ tab. You are not able to edit the Sample Budget or ‘Instructions’ tab. Please fill out green cells in the ‘Budget Template’ tab.

What are 'Administrative Expenses'?

Administrative expenses are indirect costs for staff and overhead that are not project specific but still used as resources for delivering the project; they are necessary for the overall running of the organization but not easily attributable to the project itself. This may include a portion of the overall rent, utilities, office supplies, and administration. Up to 15% of your total grant request can be for administrative expenses, and this does not require a cost breakdown. However, make sure that you don’t also include the same expenses elsewhere in your budget. For example, if you are requesting administrative expenses of 15%, you should not include office supplies and/or administration as a separate lines on your budget.

If you are hiring someone specifically for your project, that is not considered an administrative expense; it should have a separate line in your budget.

What are participant demographics?

Participant demographics refer to the key characteristics of the people taking part in your project, such as age, gender, or other characteristics of identifiable groups – such as 'people at risk of homelessness'.  This question seeks to better understand which part of the population your project is aimed at supporting.

How do I know that my application was submitted?

You will receive a confirmation email at the email addresses that you provide in the application form, acknowledging receipt of your application within one business day. If you do not receive a confirmation email within one business day of submitting your application, please contact Ministry staff immediately at CFOgrants@gov.bc.ca. Applications are due by December 15, 2025 at 5:00 PM PST.  Therefore, we expect that applicants who do not receive a confirmation email will contact us by the morning of December 17, 2025 at the very latest if they do not receive a confirmation email. Organizations who reach out stating that they did not receive a confirmation email after this time will be deemed ineligible.

Who will the application confirmation email go to?

The Ministry will send an email to the primary contact listed on your application to confirm receipt of your online application. 

May I edit my application after it was submitted?

No, applications cannot be edited after they are submitted.

Do I need to use the application worksheet?

No, the use of the application worksheet is optional and intended to assist applicants in drafting their submission. You can use the application worksheet or an alternate method works best for you to prepare your application before filling out the online application form.

Is someone from the Ministry available to review my draft application?

No, the Ministry does not have the capacity to review draft applications or to meet with applicants one on one. Please read the Program Guide carefully and the Grant Applicant FAQ. If you have a specific question, please email CFOgrants@gov.bc.ca.

When will applicants hear the results?

The Ministry will aim to notify organizations of the results in May 2026. The Ministry will notify the primary and secondary contacts listed on the application form by email. Prior to approving any projects, Ministry staff may contact you during the evaluation phase to request additional information. If your application is successful, we will provide you with further details on payment and reporting processes and whether there are conditions that you need to address.

May I apply for the same project that previously received funding

Please review the Program Guide and Application carefully, as the criteria may have changed from previous years. Projects that previously received funding may be eligible for the current intake if they meet the eligibility criteria and Program objectives, however, please remember that grant funding is time limited and not meant to be relied upon for continuous funding. There is no guarantee that your project will be funded again.

What are the changes of receiving funding? 

The Program is highly competitive. Each year, we receive far more applications than we have funding. Applications that appear to meet the Program criteria may still not be approved, due to other factors including the amount of funding available and the relative strengths of competing applications.

To help ensure that your application is a good fit for funding, please carefully review the Program Guide and the Application Guide. The strongest projects will demonstrate a clear connection to the Program criteria, have clearly articulated outcomes and a realistic plan for meeting those outcomes, target appropriate participants, reflect good value for money, and be trauma informed and culturally safe.

Can a funding decision be appealed? 

Funding decisions cannot be appealed. You may request a feedback call, and you are welcome to apply again in a future intake.

What are the reporting requirements for grant recipients? 

Grant recipients will be required to submit an interim report (“Interim Report”) and a final report (“Final Report”) within one month of project completion. The Interim Report and Final Report must be submitted on the form provided by the Ministry. Information that will be required on the reports may include, but is not limited to;

  • A financial report accounting for actual expenditures incurred
  • Project outcomes
  • Lessons learned
  • Copies of any resources or reports produced by grant funding

The Ministry may also require grant recipients to submit further evidence, such as invoices, receipts, photographs or testimonials, that the project was completed as described.  

Grant recipients who do not provide satisfactory Interim and/or Final Reports, and/or whose grant expenditures deviate from what was approved may be deemed ineligible for future Program grants.

How will organizations with approved projects receive fund?

If your organization has signed up for Electronic Funds Transfer (“EFT”) prior to being notified that your application was successful, you will receive funds via EFT. 

If your organization has not signed up for EFT prior to being notified of the funding decision, you will receive payment by cheque. Please ensure that the mailing address indicated on your application is correct. If your organization moves after submitting the application, please submit proof of the new address to CFOgrants@gov.bc.ca

How does my organization sign up for Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)?

To sign up for EFT, please fill out a Direct Deposit Application and email it to CFOgrants@gov.bc.ca – include your organization name in the subject line of the email, or upload the form with your online application. While you may sign up for EFT at any time, it is recommended that you sign up for EFT at the time of the application.

Note: Signing up for EFT will have no bearing on the funding decision.

Further questions

If you have further questions, please contact CFOgrants@gov.bc.ca. Please include the name of your organization and the Stream your inquiry is related to in the subject line. New questions and answers may be added to this page throughout the intake period as needed.