Community Gaming Grants are empowering organizations, artists and cultural workers by strengthening arts and culture programming and services to increase opportunities for people in British Columbia to participate in the arts and culture sector.
This round of Community Gaming Grants funding supports organizations in delivering accessible, community-centred arts and culture programming that enriches lives, fosters well-being and enhances cultural vitality in the province.
“Community Gaming Grants support programs and services throughout B.C. that contribute to quality of life, respond to local needs and help build vibrant, inclusive communities,” said Anne Kang, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. “By supporting the delivery of arts and cultural activities, we are increasing access to experiences that make a positive difference in people’s lives, while also fostering opportunities to build community connections.”
In 2025, 771 not-for-profit organizations received more than $16.6 million to support the delivery of a range of programs, services and activities related to music, theatre and dance, as well as literary and visual arts.
Examples of grant recipients include:
- Coast String Fiddlers Association (Gibsons) to support the delivery of fiddle instruction to a youth ensemble in Gibsons, fostering musical growth and community among young musicians;
- The West Coast Book Prize Society (Vernon) to support key initiatives by the B.C and Yukon Book Prizes, aimed at promoting literacy and celebrating local authors; and
- Station House Studio and Gallery Society (Williams Lake) to support two programs at the Station House Gallery, enriching arts education and cultural engagement throughout the region.
“The Community Gaming Grant has been vital to expanding arts education and cultural engagement across the Cariboo-Chilcotin,” said Davana Stafford, executive director, Station House Studio and Gallery Society. “Through this support, we were able to offer free admission to all exhibitions in both our lower and upper galleries as well as hands-on art classes for youth of all ages. These programs nurture creativity, build life skills, inspire and connect people of all ages, and contribute to a thriving local arts community.”
A strong arts and culture sector supports vibrant, resilient, innovative and engaged communities, contributing to a thriving, sustainable economy that attracts business investments and boosts job creation.
Applications for Community Gaming Grants for the public safety sector are being accepted until Nov. 30, 2025. The Community Gaming Grants program distributes as much as $140 million annually to not-for-profit organizations to support the delivery of ongoing programs that directly benefit communities throughout B.C.
Quick Facts:
- Community Gaming Grants fund projects and initiatives in the arts and culture, sports, public safety and environmental conservation sectors, as well as capital projects and parent and district advisory councils in B.C. schools.
- Program funds are provided from general revenues via provincial commercial gambling revenue in partnership with the B.C. Lottery Corporation.
