Projects, events & grants
Projects, events & grants
Strong Neighbourhoods
Small ideas can spark big change when neighbours, creativity, and community resources come together.
Organize an event
Host a block party or event with free supplies, staffing, grant funding, and more
Lead a local project
Bring your community-building idea to life with inspiration and grant funding
Lead a youth project
Create an awesome project or event with grant funding and hands‑on support
Have an idea for a community-building event or project?
Connect with us to start the conversation
Organize a neighbourhood event
Whether you’re planning a block party, neighbourhood festival, movie night, or something uniquely yours, the Strong Neighbourhoods program has the games, planning support, and funding to help bring your ideas to life.
Neighbourhood Event Guidelines
The Meet Your Street Kit makes it simple to bring neighbours together. It includes games and activities perfect for neighbourhood gatherings in your street, apartment building, or complex — from giant Jenga and Connect Four to bocce, hop sacks, stacking cups, and more.
Events must offer free attendance, include no alcohol, and avoid political, religious, or fundraising activities, as per our Neighbourhood Event Guidelines. Requests must be submitted at least 2 weeks in advance.
Request a kit
A damage deposit is required for all rentals.
For events held on public property, Comprehensive General Liability Insurance may also be required. The City of Kelowna can help facilitate the request and payment to Markel Canada Ltd. as a service to the renter; however, the City is not an insurance agent, broker, or representative of Markel Canada Ltd.
Strong Neighbourhoods helps Kelowna residents bring neighbours together — whether you’re planning a block party, gathering on your floor, scavenger hunt, picnic, porch concert, or BBQ. We offer free support to make your event smooth, welcoming, and successful.
- Planning: view the Event Planning Guide for helpful tips.
- Planning Support: request assistance to book space spaces, submit permits, and design your event.
- Materials: request the use of tables, chairs, tents, a sound system, and a variety of lawn games.
- Staff: request up to three hours of assistance on event day, plus help with set‑up and take‑down.
- Printable resources: find nametags, conversation starters, and more in our resource library.
We're accepting applications for events taking place between May 1 and October 31. Support is limited so apply early.
Request event support
Neighbourhood events may be eligible for a matching grant up to $500. Applications must be received by 8:00 a.m. on the last Monday in January, May or August to be considered for the next seasonal window. Read the Strong Neighborhood Grant Guidelines for full details.
Apply Now
Any resident of Kelowna interested in hosting a neighbourhood event can apply. Event planning experience is not required.
As per the Neighbourhood Event Program Guidelines, we will support the following types of events, as long as they’re free, inclusive, and neighbourhood driven/based:
- Block parties/BBQ/picnics
- Condo festivities
- Porch concerts/backyard theatre performances
- Scavenger hunts
- Picnics
- Skill, book, toy, plant/seed exchanges
- Events of your imagination
An event can’t be supported if:
- It’s a fundraiser
- It’s a political or religious activity
- The presence, sale or consumption of alcohol is involved
- It violates any City bylaws
- It’s a private or closed function (e.g., a birthday party)
- If it’s hosted by a for-profit business or group
An event may require an Outdoor Event Permit if any of the following apply:
- Is deemed complex by the Event Services Team (visit Plan an outdoor event)
- Is a community wide event reaching farther than the immediate neighbourhood.
- Access to City services is required.
- A liquor permit is requested for an event on City property.
- Infrastructure required (portable toilets, stages, greater than 10’x10’ tent, etc.)
- Vendors will be present.
- Inflatables will be present
- Anticipated attendance of 350 or more people.
Available Funding
Each year, applicants have access to $15,000 in matching funds provided by the Central Okanagan Foundation:
- Up to $500 per event
- Up to $1,500 per project
- Up to $1,000 per youth-led project or event
Grant funding must be matched by contributions like cash, donated materials or equipment, and volunteer hours valued at the current BC minimum wage. Project budgets must reflect accurate costs. If funds remain after an intake deadline, eligible late applications may be considered on a first‑come, first‑served basis.
Grant Schedule
Applications for neighbourhood projects or events must be submitted as per the typical timeline below. Should a deadline fall on a statutory holiday, the deadline will be adjusted to the following business day.
| Spring | Summer | Fall | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grant application deadline | Last Monday in January | Last Monday in May | Last Monday in August |
| Funding decisions announced | Last Monday in February | Last Monday in June | Last Monday in September |
| Implementation | March to June | July to September | October to December |
Project completion by | June 30 | September 30 | December 31 |
| Final report due | Fifteen days after project is completed | ||
Approval Process
Community Development Coordinators review all applications and consult with relevant City staff based on the nature of the request. Applications are evaluated against the program criteria, and recommendations are forwarded to the Divisional Director of the department for final approval. The Divisional Director’s decision is final. Applicants will be notified within five weeks of the intake deadline. In some cases, additional information may be requested before a final decision is made.
Lead a neighbourhood project
Have an idea that could bring neighbours together and strengthen your community? From small creative projects to simple gathering spaces, the Strong Neighbourhoods program may be able to help fund it.
There are so many ways to bring people together and make an impact. Here are a few ideas to spark your imagination:
- Create a neighbourhood garden
- Enhance an alleyway or boulevard
- Paint a mural or creating public art
- Create a story walk
- Build a little free library
- Lead a cooking lesson or other skill-building workshop
- Install shared amenities like benches and planters
Projects must align with at least one of the Strong Neighbourhoods program’s purpose.
Projects may be eligible for a matching grant up to $1,500, provided by the Central Okanagan Foundation. Applications must be received by 8:00 a.m. on the last Monday in January, May or August to be considered for the next seasonal window. Read the Strong Neighbourhood Grant Guidelines for full details.
Apply Now
Available Funding
Each year, applicants have access to $15,000 in matching funds provided by the Central Okanagan Foundation:
- Up to $500 per event
- Up to $1,500 per project
- Up to $1,000 per youth-led project or event
Grant funding must be matched by contributions like cash, donated materials or equipment, and volunteer hours valued at the current BC minimum wage. Project budgets must reflect accurate costs. If funds remain after an intake deadline, eligible late applications may be considered on a first‑come, first‑served basis.
Grant Schedule
Applications for neighbourhood projects or events must be submitted as per the typical timeline below. Should a deadline fall on a statutory holiday, the deadline will be adjusted to the following business day.
| Spring | Summer | Fall | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grant application deadline | Last Monday in January | Last Monday in May | Last Monday in August |
| Funding decisions announced | Last Monday in February | Last Monday in June | Last Monday in September |
| Implementation | March to June | July to September | October to December |
Project completion by | June 30 | September 30 | December 31 |
| Final report due | Fifteen days after project is completed | ||
Approval Process
Community Development Coordinators review all applications and consult with relevant City staff based on the nature of the request. Applications are evaluated against the program criteria, and recommendations are forwarded to the Divisional Director of the department for final approval. The Divisional Director’s decision is final. Applicants will be notified within five weeks of the intake deadline. In some cases, additional information may be requested before a final decision is made.
Lead a youth project or event
Score up to $1,000 to make something awesome happen. Team up with at least two friends aged 13-24 in your community and rack up some volunteer hours, boost your resume, hone your leadership skills, and build friendships while making your neighbourhood a better place to live.
Make an impact. Build community. Create something your neighbourhood will remember. Here are some project concepts to spark your imagination:
- Film festival
- Porch concert or open mic night
- Outdoor Movie Night
- Murals
- Sidewalk art
- Neighbourhood beautification projects
- Indigenous teachings
- Skill or talent sharing event
- Neighbourhood Trash to Treasure Swap
- Emergency Kit Build-and-Chill
Projects must align with at least one of the Strong Neighbourhoods program’s purpose.
You don’t need any experience to jump in. Our Community Development Coordinators will help you through the grant application process, and once your project is approved, they’ll be there to guide and support you as you bring your idea to life.
You’ll also get access to a hands-on workshop designed to help you succeed. It covers project planning, budgeting, building a simple schedule, and mapping out the steps you’ll need to make your project or event a success.
Youth‑led projects may be eligible for a matching grant of up to $1,000. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. View the Youth Development and Engagement Grant Guidelines for details.
Apply Now
Grant money can be used for:
- Purchasing or renting equipment & materials
- Professional services (contractors, performers, artists, etc.)
- Advertising materials
- Skill training
- Food costs (up to 50% of the grant request, with exceptions for food-related skill-sharing projects)
- Volunteer appreciation/honorariums (up to 25% of the grant request)
Grant money can’t be used for:
- Project or event expenses that have already occurred
- Ongoing operating costs
- Items that will revert to individual ownership
- Travel expenses
- For-profit business
- Political or religious activities
- Any project in contravention of City bylaws
