Megan Brummitt
she/her
Coordinator, Consumer Initiative Fund
Learn More CIF Education & Leisure Fund
The Education & Leisure Fund helps people make their lives better by giving them chances to get an education, learn new job skills, grow personally, improve how they live, and take part in activities to improve their well-being.
Why Apply?
Well-Being
This fund aims to help people improve themselves and their lives by offering opportunities for personal growth, improving their lifestyle, gaining job skills, getting an education, and taking care of their well-being.
Financial Support
Enables individuals to access courses and resources that would otherwise be unavailable to them. Provides funding of up to $400 to mental health consumers for education and leisure courses or activities.
Next Deadline:
Mar 15, 2025
Draw will take place the week after the deadline
How can the Education & Leisure Fund be used?
Educational Courses
- University, college, continuing education, prerequisites
- First Aid certification
- FoodSafe training
- Dog training
- Landscaping courses
- Language classes
- Computer skills training
- and more!
Leisure Activities
- Gym passes
- Exercise classes
- Yoga classes
- Dancing classes
- Swimming lessons
- Tennis lessons
- Pickle ball lessons
- Ice skating lessons
- and more!
Other Classes
- Music lessons
- Acting lessons
- Painting classes
- Sewing classes
- Pottery making classes
- Jewelry making classes
- Equine therapy
- Woodworking classes
- Metalworking classes
- and more!
How to Apply
Eligibility
The following 3 criteria must be met:
- Adult with lived/living experience of mental health and/or substance use challenges
- Resident of the City of Vancouver
- Must not have received this bursary within the last 3 years
Paperwork
Review our detailed Application Instructions
Fill out the Education & Leisure Fund Application Form and Letter of Intent
Apply
Submit your completed application form to the Consumer Initiative Fund office
Email: Megan.Brummitt@vch.ca
Fax: 604-874-7661
Mail to or drop off at:
Consumer Initiative Fund Office
200-520 W 6th Ave
Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H5
Application Process
When to Apply
- Start date for classes must be at least 7-8 weeks after application deadline (to allow time for payments to go through)
- The Education and Leisure Fund is open two times a year, usually in the Spring and Fall
- Deadlines to apply are posted at the top of this page
Selection Process
- All applications are reviewed
- Qualified applicants are randomly selected in a draw
- The draw takes place the week after the deadline
- All applicants are notified of the result by email or phone
Limitations: How the bursary cannot be used
- Cannot be used to purchase or rent supplies and equipment (textbooks, instruments, clothing, sports gear, ice skates, etc)
- Cannot be used for any subscription based programs (that require recurring payments)
If the course/program costs over $400
- If the cost is over $400, recipients must be willing to pay the difference
- A written explanation must be included in the Letter of Intent detailing how the costs exceeding $400 will be covered
- The Letter of Intent is on page 2 of the Application Form
If the course/program costs less than $400
- If the cost is less than $400, recipients can take more than one course/activity
- The total cost of all activities (including taxes) cannot exceed $400
Additional Information
- The bursary must be used within 6 months of the draw, otherwise the funding is forfeited
- Course registration is the applicant’s responsibility
- Funding is paid directly to the educational institute or leisure centre
- Payments can take up to 6 weeks to process
- Reimbursements are not issued
Questions? Please reach out to us!
Other Grants + Funds
Open
CIF Art Grant
The CIF Art Grant provides an opportunity for artists to purchase art supplies. Vancouver residents who are consumers of mental health and/or substance use services are encouraged to apply.
Each Art Grant is in the amount of $85. Recipients are selected by random draw. It is offered 4 times per year (Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall).
Open
CIF Education & Leisure Fund
The goal of this fund is to provide opportunities for individuals to take courses they would not otherwise be able to access and to build capacity. Examples of courses we have funded include: yoga classes, music lessons, art classes, college courses, and acting classes.
Open
CIF Crisis Grant
The Crisis Grant is intended to assist mental health and substance use consumers who are experiencing significant financial strain due to unexpected circumstances.