Foundation grants for food banks and food security programs in BC, 2026–27

Food programs face a common trap: many funders exclude buying food for distribution. Below are foundations with current or upcoming opportunities relevant to BC food security work, with their rules as published. Checked 22 October 2026. Dates and rules change, so confirm on each funder's page before applying.

Stollery Charitable Foundation

(Kamloops and Edmonton)

• Timing: Spring 2027 letters of inquiry are due January 22, 2027 (4:30 p.m.). Invited full proposals are due February 19, 2027. The board meets April 10, 2027.
• How to start: Contact the executive director first. Letters of inquiry are by invitation.
• Amounts: From a few thousand dollars up. Grants to first-time applicants rarely exceed $30,000.
• Watch out: Generally doesn't fund travel, research, religious projects or environment work.
• Source: stollerycharitablefoundation.org (granting process; funding guidelines)

BC Interior Community Foundation, Community Grants

(Thompson, Nicola and South Cariboo)

• Timing: Deadlines April 1 and October 1. Spring projects must begin after June 1.
• Amounts: Up to $3,000, and no more than 50% of the project cost.
• Watch out: No operating costs. One grant per group per calendar year.
• Source: bcicf.ca (community grants guidelines)

First West Foundation

(specific BC communities, including Victoria, Nanaimo, Kamloops, Kelowna and the Fraser Valley)

• Timing: Expressions of interest are accepted any time before December 1.
• Amounts: Capacity Grants up to $15,000. The page lists Impact Grants at both $15,000 and $25,000, so confirm before applying.
• Watch out: Excludes purchase of food for direct distribution. Registered charities only. Check your community is on the list.
• Source: firstwestfoundation.ca/apply

Victoria Foundation, Community Grants

(Capital Region)

• Timing: The 2026 round closed March 10, 2026. The 2027 dates aren't announced yet; the last round opened in early February.
• Amounts: Up to $30,000 in 2026.
• Fit: Food security is among its listed focus areas.
• Source: victoriafoundation.bc.ca

RBC Foundation, Community Investments

(national)

• Timing: Rolling applications for its Seed, Scale and Sustain streams.
• Watch out: Won't fund local food banks buying additional food outside times of crisis. A structural or new food-access project is a better fit than routine food purchases.
• Source: rbc.com (community investments, Canada)

Frank Flaman Foundation

(Canadian registered charities)

• Timing: No deadline. The board reviews requests quarterly.
• Fit: Current focus includes food availability, shelter, basic education, water and safety. Its focus is described as more local, so check fit for BC.
• Watch out: Requests need your last two years of financial statements attached.
• Source: flamanfoundation.com/donationrequest

The pattern to notice

Several of these funders exclude buying food, operating costs or routine top-ups. Frame your request around something specific and new, such as storage, equipment, volunteer training or a new access program, and check each funder's exclusions first.