Open Call: Culture 1 Year Operating Grant (Canada)

Deadline: 06-Oct-2026

The City of Nanaimo’s Culture 1 Year Operating Grant provides operational funding to eligible non-profit arts, culture, and heritage organizations based in Nanaimo, British Columbia. The grant can support up to 25% of an organization’s total annual operating budget and helps strengthen local cultural activity, community identity, public engagement, and the creative economy. The Culture 1 Year Operating Grant supports incorporated non-profit arts, culture, and heritage organizations operating in Nanaimo for at least three years. Eligible organizations must provide public programming or services to artists, demonstrate support from other sources, and meet the City’s eligibility and application requirements. The Culture 1 Year Operating Grant is offered by the City of Nanaimo to support organizations that contribute to the city’s arts, culture, and heritage sector. The program is guided by the City Plan – Nanaimo ReImagined and recognizes the role of independent cultural organizations in creating community value, supporting diverse audiences, and building partnerships. The grant provides operational support rather than funding only a single project. Funding can contribute to the organization’s overall operations, programs, and activities. The Culture 1 Year Operating Grant can provide funding of up to 25% of an organization’s total annual operating budget. The grant is intended as a contribution toward the overall operations, programs, and activities of eligible organizations. Applicants should demonstrate that they have support from other funding or revenue sources rather than relying entirely on the City grant. The program supports activities that contribute to Nanaimo’s cultural and community development.

Strategic priorities include:

Applicants must meet the program’s organizational and operational requirements.

Eligible applicants must:

The following applicants are not eligible based on the stated program requirements: The operating grant contributes to the broader operations of eligible organizations.

Funding may support an organization’s:

The program is intended to support ongoing organizational work rather than being limited to a single standalone project. Arts, culture, and heritage organizations contribute to Nanaimo’s cultural identity and local economy.

The program aims to help organizations:

Applications are evaluated according to several key considerations, including: Applicants should clearly explain their organization’s role in Nanaimo and demonstrate how their activities contribute to the program’s cultural and community priorities. Participation in the required grant information session is an important part of the application process. All applicants must attend the mandatory information session as specified by the City. Applicants should make sure they understand the session requirement and complete it before submitting their application. Organizations can prepare a strong application by focusing on the following: Applicants should keep the following requirements in mind:

Applicants should avoid:

It is a City of Nanaimo grant that provides operational funding to eligible non-profit arts, culture, and heritage organizations that contribute to Nanaimo’s cultural and community life. The grant can fund a maximum of 25% of an organization’s total annual operating budget. Incorporated non-profit arts, culture, and heritage organizations based in Nanaimo can apply if they have operated for at least three years and meet the other program requirements. No. Educational institutions are not eligible under the stated requirements. No. Eligible organizations must be based in Nanaimo. The program prioritizes activities that increase arts and cultural visibility, promote Nanaimo’s cultural profile, encourage partnerships and collaborations, support neighbourhood initiatives, engage the public, and contribute to the local creative economy. Yes. A grant information session is mandatory for all applicants. Organizations with outstanding obligations to the City are not eligible. No. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. The Culture 1 Year Operating Grant provides operational support to established non-profit arts, culture, and heritage organizations in Nanaimo. By contributing up to 25% of an organization’s annual operating budget, the program supports ongoing cultural programming, professional artists, community engagement, partnerships, accessibility, and Nanaimo’s broader creative economy. For more information, visit City of Nanaimo.