Creativity, connection, and kindness are set to bloom once again in the Kootenay Boundary, as Neighbourhood Small Grants (NSG) return with more than $9,800 in available funding for local projects.
NSG is a grassroots grant program that empowers everyday people to strengthen their communities through small, meaningful initiatives.
Supported locally by the Phoenix Foundation of the Boundary Communities, the program offers up to $500 per project to help turn ideas into action, no formal experience or organization required.
Trudy Hallam, NSG coordinator at the Phoenix Foundation, emphasized the program’s role in supporting community-led projects.
“Neighbourhood Small Grants offer an exciting opportunity for individuals to grow their ideas without the financial barrier," she said. "It’s about fostering a sense of belonging, collaboration, and most importantly, kindness, within our communities.”
According to NSG, in an increasingly disconnected world, simple yet impactful kindness projects can bring neighbours together, whether by sharing skills, celebrating culture, or lending a hand.
Last year, grant recipients in the Kootenay Boundary used NSG funds to carry out a wide range of initiatives, including Pride events in Castlegar, Christina Lake, and Grand Forks; senior outings at the Boundary Museum; community gardens in Beaverdell; and festive Halloween displays.
Other funded projects included a Midway equinox and harvest celebration, little neighbourhood libraries, a herbal medicine-making workshop in Rossland, arts classes, and pumpkin patches.
From teaching a skill to organizing cultural celebrations or delivering care packages, NSG welcomes ideas that build connection and promote kindness at the neighbourhood level.
This year, community members are encouraged to think about how their projects might inspire others to spread kindness.
Suggestions include a street art festival, skill-building workshops like food preservation or yoga, or a “Kindness Rocks” initiative to brighten someone’s day.
Applications for Neighbourhood Small Grants are open from April 7 to May 9 for the Kootenay Boundary region.
NSG says that while the grants may be small, the results are often powerful: seen in the community gardens, book exchanges, and shared moments that bring people closer and build a stronger sense of belonging.
Will this be the year your idea gets funded?
Neighbourhood Small Grants continues to encourage residents to take part in shaping the spirit of their communities, where creativity, connection, and kindness go hand in hand.
