CRD Operating Grant

Overview of the CRD Operating Grant program:

The Annual Operating Grant is administered by the Capital Regional District (CRD) Arts & Culture Support Service and is designed to support arts organizations whose primary mandate is public arts programming. The program acknowledges that sustainable public funding is critical to maintaining accessible, diverse, and high-quality arts experiences across the region. The grant offers operational funding rather than project-specific support, ensuring that organizations can engage in long-term planning and continue to deliver consistent public arts services. Funding supports administration, governance, and community outreach in addition to artistic programming. Organizations must demonstrate artistic significance, sound governance, and community engagement to qualify. The grant application process evaluates these three pillars equally, ensuring a comprehensive review of both creative impact and organizational sustainability. The program also includes a strong commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, access, and cultural self-determination. Equity-seeking groups—including Indigenous peoples, racialized communities, LGBTQ2+ individuals, people with disabilities, and the Deaf community—are especially encouraged to apply, and accessibility supports are available during the application and reporting process. The CRD requires that new applicants first establish eligibility through a pre-application meeting. Funding decisions are made annually, and previous support does not guarantee future awards.

Benefits of the CRD Operating Grant program:

• Provides multi-purpose operating funds to support year-round public arts programming.
• Enables long-term planning for established arts organizations.
• Supports artistic growth, administration, governance, and community impact initiatives.
• Assists with outreach and accessibility efforts, particularly for underserved areas and equity-seeking communities.
• Promotes regional equity through policies that encourage participation by marginalized groups.
• Up to $500 in accessibility support per applicant annually to help cover costs related to completing or reporting on grants.
• Encourages capacity building and organizational sustainability.

Eligibility criteria of the CRD Operating Grant program:

• Be non-profit arts organizations incorporated in British Columbia for at least 3 years.
• Have provided public arts programming in the CRD for the last 3 consecutive years.
• Have a minimum average annual budget of $60,000 over the last 3 years.
• Be headquartered in one of the participating CRD municipalities: Victoria, Saanich, Oak Bay, Esquimalt, View Royal, Highlands, Metchosin, Sooke, or Southern Gulf Islands.
• Have an active Board of Directors (unpaid, except for reimbursed expenses).
• Be in good financial standing, not bankrupt, insolvent, or in legal proceedings.
• New applicants must have received at least three CRD project or equity grants in the past six years and must complete a pre-eligibility consultation with CRD staff at least 2 weeks before the deadline.