Grant Program Overview

Submitted by admin on July 5, 2006 - 11:33am.

The Surrey Foundation is committed to increasing its ability to improve the community in which it works.  The many issues that shape the City we live in, including youth, education, poverty, and family services, are all related to current growth and development.

The Surrey Foundation prides itself on responding to needs through its annual grant program and providing financial assistance to initiatives that directly affect many of the physical and social problems in the community. 

Since its inception, the Foundation has disbursed almost $1M to registered charities providing supports within the City of Surrey.  Grants are provided annually to local, not-for-profit organizations recognized by Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) as registered charities.

Grant Categories

The Surrey Foundation grants from four primary types of funds:

  • Designated Funds - set up to address pre-determined community needs based on a specific cause about which the donor(s) is passionate.  These funds allow the donor to be very specific about which organization(s) receive the grants (e.g. a fund set up solely to support the Surrey Public Library)
  • Advised Funds - set up to give donors the flexibility to participate in granting from their fund during the current grant cycle including: recommending which agency to support, indicating the specific field of interest, or asking the Grants Committee for recommendations for funding.  For example, Surrey Rehabilitation Society established a fund to support non-profit agencies that assist individuals with special needs integrate into the workforce.  In this case, the specific recipients/projects vary from year to year.
  • Field of Interest Funds - donors have indicated an area of community need but leave it up to the Foundation to make annual granting decisions based on any donor criteria.  For example, the current field of interest funds supported by the Foundation, through direction from donors, are children and youth, health, and heritage.
  • General Funds - set up to provide the greatest impact on community needs, this type of fund allows the Foundation the discretion to direct funds to the most critical needs in the City

Grant Priorities for General Funds

  • Grants that address a need within one of the Surrey Foundation's priority areas of focus (although grants will not be limited to these areas).  These include:
    • Poverty
    • Successful Integration of Immigrants into Surrey Society
    • The Environment
    • Arts and Culture.
  •  Quality of Requesting Organization
    • Track record within the community, i.e. organization has previously demonstrated success
    • Financial stability
    • Good likelihood that project can be delivered as described
  • Service/Project/Event Itself
    • Offers good value for monies expended
    • Meets a known need within Surrey

Special Needs Initiatives

The Surrey Rehabilitation Society established a fund in 2006 to support non-profit agencies who assist individuals with special needs integrate into the workforce.  In order to receive a grant from this fund, applicants must meet the following criteria

Eligibility Criteria

  • Not-for-profit organizations recognized by Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) as registered charities.
  • Funding from other viable sources has been sought and/or obtained.
  • Services/projects/events that will:
    • benefit Surrey residents
    • draw upon and enhance community capacity
    • involve the community in development and execution
    • have real potential for sustainability

Grant Components

Guiding principles include the following:

  • Based on the development of community assets
  • Clearly states goals, purpose for funding, an implementation strategy and an evaluation plan
  • Evidence of collaboration with other groups and agencies in the field
  • Do not duplicate existing services
  • Build on individual and community strengths
  • Demonstrate a commitment to the project through a contribution of human and/or financial resources
  • Projects that will be ongoing after the grant's end should provide realistic plans for longer-term funding
  • The target population should participate in the development, implementation and evaluation of the project.

Not Funded

  • Applications for the provision of services that will not benefit Surrey residents.
  • Services that are already well supported by national or local charities or by government funding, or that duplicate existing projects.
  • Funds to cover deficits or sabbatical leaves.
  • Activities of religious organizations that serve primarily their membership and/or their direct religious purpose.

Grant Process and Timeline

A grant application sub-committee reviews the applications and submits its recommendations for approval to the Surrey Foundation’s Board of Directors.  Our Surrey Youth in Philanthropy group reviews all requests for funding that deal with youth projects. 
  • Applications will be available no later than February 1, 2008
  • Deadline for submission is no later than March 28, 2008
  • Applicants will be notified on Grant Committee selections no later than May 30, 2008


 2007 Grant Recipients

In 2007, the Surrey Foundation awarded more than $100,000 to local organizations and initiatives through its Annual Grant Program and the LEAD Grants Program.  The following are recipients for 2007:     

Surrey Foundation grants

  • Down Syndrome Research Foundation
  • Semiahmoo House Society
  • SOS Childrens Village BC
  • Surrey Food Bank
  • South Fraser Women's Services Society
  • Surrey Museum & Archives Society
  • Surrey Search & Rescue
  • Surrey Women's Society
  • Holy Cross Regional High School Scholarship

LEAD Grants

Funds are flowed through from the Vancouver Foundation to the Surrey Foundation to grant out to the Surrey community.
  • Act II Child & Family Services 
  • Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland
  • Caring Hearts For Underprivileged Children Society
  • Cornerstone Care Society
  • Evergreen
  • Greater Vancouver Youth For Christ (Stepping Stones)
  • Green Timbers Heritage Society
  • Guildford Park Community Group Society
  • Newton Advocacy Group Society
  • Science ALIVE
  • Surrey Stroke Recovery Group
  • White Rock/South Surrey Stroke Recovery