Connect to Community Grants

About the grant

The Connect to Community Grants (C2C) offer UBC undergraduate and master's degree students the opportunity to carry out a meaningful project in partnership with a local not-for-profit community organization.

Designed as an introduction to the grants experience, the C2C grant strives to be a dynamic learning opportunity. It challenges students to learn from the application process until project completion, without the fear of failing. We encourage students and community partners to test new ideas.

Applicants can request funds between $200 to $1500 CAD for their proposed project. They must complete the project within 4 months of receiving funds.

Safety protocols for COVID-19

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all project proposals must follow UBC and BC Government public safety protocols. For more information, read UBC's COVID-19 Health Guidance.

What the grant can fund

Projects with off-campus activities
Off-campus activities include workshops, community-meetings, initiatives, community events, forums, educational, health, environmental, or cultural-based projects.
Projects with a community partner
Community partners must be a BC-based registered charity, society, cooperative, non-profit or public sector, community organization, First Nation, school, municipal, federal, or provincial government office.

Examples of how you can use the funding include:

A project that you were involved in as part of a course-based or volunteer opportunity, or a community organization you are already connected to
Developing and hosting workshops based on the community’s interests and needs
Supporting an existing community-directed initiative, such as a communications campaign, program, or an event for a particular community group

Funds can cover the cost of materials, printing costs, transportation, space rentals, catering, and other relevant project needs.

Past grant winners

Check out a list of previous grant winners and the projects they've done.

Eligibility requirements

Before applying, read the Grant Eligibility Guidelines (pdf) to confirm that CCEL can fund your project.

Writing a successful grant application

A strong grant application has 3 parts:

A project idea that connects to a broader social or environmental issue with an achievable and measurable impact
A community partnership with clearly outlined roles and responsibilities
A project plan that includes goals, objectives, a timeline, and budget

Identify your project idea

When you apply for a grant, you need to clearly describe your project idea, which includes the problem and solutions you plan to work on.

Review the Identifying a Project Idea guide (pdf) for tips on drafting a problem statement. You can also use the brainstorming matrix in the guide to develop a strong project idea.

Find your community partners

Partnerships are best built by fostering a relationship with the community organization.

Learn how to build a partnership with a community organization through the Reaching out to a Community Organization guide (pdf).

Build your project plan

Now that you have a project idea and a community partnership, it’s time to write your application.

The CCEL Grant Application Toolkit (pdf) provides a detailed guide for answering each question in the grant application and can support you in developing your project plan.

Seek advising

From developing a project idea to finding a community partner, to building a project plan, the Centre for Community Engaged Learning (CCEL) is available in person or online to support you and answer your questions.

Email community.learning@ubc.ca to book an advising session with CCEL's Grants Advisor to brainstorm your project idea or learn more about the grants available.

Watch the recorded information session

During a session on October 14, we reviewed how to build a strong project case and put a CCEL grant application together.

Passcode for the recording is O9e$k4v4.

Watch the recording

How to apply

The deadline to apply is Sun, Feb 4, 2024, at 11:59 pm.

Before you apply, review these documents:

Connect to Community Application Package (pdf)
Fill out this application document and upload it through the online application link.
Connect to Community Application Toolkit (pdf)
Review this detailed guide and find out how to respond to each of the sections within the application.
CCEL Grants Partnership Agreement (pdf)
Learn about establishing project expectations, needs, and processes with your community partner. A signed version of this document is required as part of the grant application.

If you’re interested in applying for a grant, email the Centre for Community Engaged Learning (CCEL) at community.learning@ubc.ca to book an advising session with a CCEL staff member to brainstorm your impact project idea.

Application timelines

Winter applications

Date	Description
Mon, Nov 6, 2023	Both the Connect to Community Grants and Chapman and Innovation Grants applications open.
Sun, Feb 4, 2024 at 11:59 pm	Both the Connect to Community Grants and Chapman and Innovation Grants applications close.
March 2024	Connect to Community Grants: Winners announced.
April 2024	Projects begin.

If you have questions

Email the Centre for Community Engaged Learning (CCEL) at community.learning@ubc.ca to learn about community-based opportunities, programs, and resources.