Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Grants

Last updated on April 4, 2024

Under the BC Multiculturalism Act, annual multiculturalism and anti-racism grants are offered to registered non-profit and other eligible organizations.

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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 projects that challenge racism, hate and systemic barriers. 

In 2023-24, the program focuses on projects to reduce systemic racism and 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, before applying, to discuss the potential eligibility of their proposal.

Projects must start on or after March 1, 2024, and be completed by March 31, 2025. 

Program funding

In the 2023-24 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
  • Technology related costs, such as: 
    • Online hosting fees
    • Digital content creation
    • Virtual technology requirements
  • ​​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

Application requirements

Applications for 2023-24 are open until November 20, 2023, at 5 PM PST.

Apply Online

If you have any questions or experience problems, contact multiculturalism@gov.bc.ca.

The Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Branch is committed to improving the accessibility of the Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Grants program for people with disabilities. Arrangements for verbal applications and ASL translation services are available. To learn more about these services, contact  multiculturalism@gov.bc.ca or call 1-778-405-1565.

To support your planning process before completing your formal application online, the grant application can be accessed in Word and PDF versions. Only applications submitted using the online application link will be considered for award unless arrangements to submit a verbal application apply.

Reporting requirements

This section is applicable to previously successful 2022-23 grant recipients only. You need to submit a report on how you used the funds and what outcomes were achieved.

The final report asks grant recipients to:

  • Provide a summary of the project, why it was undertaken and what it accomplished (max 300 words)
  • Provide a brief explanation of how the project met the 2022-23 Multiculturalism Grant program objectives (max 300 words)
  • Provide 2 to 4 bullet points to highlight any significant outcomes that resulted from the project
  • If there were changes to the proposed budget, provide 2 to 4 bullet points about these changes

Submit your final report online

If you have any questions or experience problems, contact multiculturalism@gov.bc.ca.

For more information, please email multiculturalism@gov.bc.ca.