Ripples of Belonging
Have an idea for a community event to create belonging?
Apply for an opportunity to receive a micro grant!
Ripples of Belonging is a micro grant initiative. It helps cover costs for free community events that focus on building social connection within the mental health and substance use peer community.
Each grant provides $500–$1000 to help offset event costs, such as venue rentals.
We are looking for motivated individuals with lived or living experience to plan community events in Vancouver that offer safe, welcoming spaces where peers can feel seen and understood.
These connections help reduce isolation while building communication skills, empathy, and a stronger sense of belonging.
Ripple Effect – Hosting a community event is not just about a single day – it’s about the ripples that follow, often in unexpected ways.
Just like a single drop creates ripples that spread across the water, one meaningful gathering can spark waves of positive impact – strengthening relationships, reducing isolation, and building a sense of belonging that extends far beyond the event itself.
During the pandemic, most in‑person gatherings shifted online, and virtual meetings have largely remained the norm. With so many virtual options already available, we prioritize in‑person events that foster the kind of meaningful, high‑quality connections that are difficult to recreate online.
Social Connection
Strong social connections play an important role in the well-being of people living with mental health challenges or recovering from substance use. Humans are social by nature, and sharing space with others who have faced similar challenges can be especially powerful. Here are a few ways positive social interactions can benefit individuals and the community as a whole.
Trust
When people feel welcomed, listened to, or included they are more likely to trust others and feel safe coming back
Confidence
A kind conversation or shared activity can help people feel valued. This confidence makes people more willing to speak up, participate, or support others
Relationships
Small interactions can grow into friendships that continue beyond the original event
Culture Shift
Many small moments of kindness and inclusion add up. Together, they create a community that feels safer, stronger, and more connected
Funding Options
- Single Event – $500
- Series of Events – $1,000
Reimbursement Grant
Event organizers:
- Pay for costs first
- Submit receipts
- Get paid back later
Who Can Apply?
You can apply if you:
- Identify as a peer with lived or living experience of mental health and/or substance use challenges
- Are an adult (18+)
- Plan to hold your event in Vancouver
Coming soon!
Summer 2026
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