Community Fund 2 Now Open

The initial $14 million Community Fund opened on May 5, 2023, addressing the enduring intergenerational impact that BC government actions of the 1940s had on the Japanese Canadian community. During the past 16 months over 1,100 grants have been allocated to individual, groups, and organizations across six project streams: community projects, arts, sports, scholarships, infrastructure, and intergenerational wellness.

Community Fund 1 is now closed. We thank the applicants, advisory and assessment teams, and staff, for their purposeful contribution to the success of the program.

Community Fund 2

The Japanese Canadian Legacies Society is pleased to announce the launch of Community Fund 2, featuring two final funding streams: Community Projects and Infrastructure. A Legacy Projects category has been added to each stream.

What stays the same in Community Fund 2?

Both Community Projects and Infrastructure are similar to the first intakes, although the maximum grant amounts have changed.

What is different in Community Fund 2?

Non-Japanese Canadian organizations are no longer required to have an organizational mandate to serve the Japanese Canadian community. To qualify for funding, the organization must have a ‘project’ purpose or mandate to clearly add to the multi-faceted legacy of the Japanese Canadian historical experience.

What is not being funded under Community Fund 2?

Scholarships, Sports, Arts, and Intergenerational Wellness Family streams will not be offered in this round of funding and individuals are not eligible to apply. However, the Community Projects stream encourages collaborations in Community Projects applications. These could be projects in the areas of heritage, education, intergenerational wellness, sports and arts. Refer to Community Projects to see if your project fits within the guidelines. Please contact the project office with your questions at community@ jclegacies.com

What kinds of projects can be funded under Community Projects?

Community Projects is an open stream that encompasses a broad range of projects that benefit Japanese Canadians or cultural activities that promote Japanese or Japanese Canadian culture in Canada. Projects that could be considered for funding include intergenerational wellness gatherings, seniors group wellness projects, sports teams, arts collaborations, and heritage projects. Eligible project costs may include: labour costs including research, project management, and interpretative planning, travel, accommodation, honoraria, contractor fees, materials, and project supplies.

What kinds of projects can be funded under Infrastructure Building Improvements?

Building improvement grants will assist in the construction and renovation of community facilities. Building improvements may include renovations, repairs and accessibility upgrades. Grants may also assist in creating new facilities if other funding sources are in place. A building improvement grant can include Capital Purchases if they are essential to the renovation.

What are Legacy Projects in Community Fund 2?

In recognition of the enduring legacy of Japanese Canadians in British Columbia and their experiences before, during, and after World War Two, these grants are directed at high capacity organizations for major, tangible projects that share and preserve the history of the Japanese Canadian experience with a goal of leaving a lasting legacy for Japanese Canadian communities and the broader public. 

Who can apply for Legacy Projects?

Legacy Community Projects are open to Japanese Canadian Organizations and Non-Japanese Canadian Organizations. Legacy Infrastructure Projects are restricted to Japanese Canadian Organizations. For both streams, organizations must demonstrate the capacity to develop, produce and manage these lasting projects. There must be achievable project goals, project management, a detailed schedule and timeline, and a realistic budget. Feasibility, risk mitigation, and ongoing maintenance are expected. Applicants must provide samples of recent past work.

Questions?

Please check criteria, guidelines, and closing dates at jclegaciesfund.com. All applicants must set up an amount in order to apply. Email info@jclegacies.com to be directed to the right staff resource. 

Available Grants