This Fall, neighbours across the Oceanside region with big hearts brought creative ideas to our Neighbourhood Small Grants (NSG). Parksville-Qualicum Community Foundation awarded $9,500 to 24 resident-led projects that build belonging, share skills, and bring people together. With this round, PQCF’s 2025 total reached $15,500, supporting 38 NSG projects led by local residents.
All Fall 2025 NSG funded projects
- Sensory-Friendly Ecstatic Dance
- Fierce Love Market Farm Video Project (Entrepreneurship in a Bio-sphere)
- Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness Plan
- Neighbourhood Freecycle Weekend
- Welcome Block Party for New Neighbours
- Community Carseat Checks and Education
- Hermitage Park Luminary Walk
- Samba Batucada Workshop at the Errington Hall
- Roots of Resilience: An Indigenous Plant Project
- Student Earth Day Tree Plant Grandon Creek
- Qualicum Beach Pride Day
- Madrona West Emergency Preparedness Workshop
- Qualicum Beach Pride Flag Raising & Community Gathering
- Oceanside Family Dance
- Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness Block Party
- Family Day Face Painting Party
- Oceanside Plant-Based Cooking Club
- Community Outreach and Connection in Oceanside Services
- Stained Glass Class
- Hugs from the Universe
- Soriel Road Neighbourhood Block Party Program
- Leatherworking Class: Goblin Masks
- Holiday Night Fair
- Oceanside Christmas Wishes
Project Spotlights
Sensory-Friendly Ecstatic Dance (Qualicum Beach)
A free-form, sober, and non-verbal dance gathering designed with sensory needs in mind. Music at moderate volume, opening and closing circles, and a welcoming environment helped participants connect through movement, feel seen, and leave with a sense of calm and community.
Skill-sharing Workshops (region-wide)
Neighbour-to-neighbour learning shone this Fall. A hands-on Stained Glass Class taught cutting, foiling, and soldering, sending neighbours home with new skills and connections. Leatherworking: Goblin Masks introduced patterning, tooling, and finishing techniques for makers of all levels, growing a welcoming circle of creators working side by side.
Community Car Seat Checks and Education (region-wide)
A mobile clinic led by a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician met parents and caregivers where they already are: the preschool, the farmers market, and community fairs. Families received hands-on coaching to install seats correctly and keep kids safer on the road, while meeting other parents and building confidence.
Roots of Resilience: An Indigenous Plant Project (Parksville)
Volunteers created an Indigenous plant garden beside the McMillan Arts Centre, pairing plants with signage in both Indigenous and English names. The project honours Indigenous knowledge, supports local food sovereignty, and invites residents to learn together through workshops and shared stewardship.
Samba Batucada Workshop at the Errington Hall
A high-energy Brazilian percussion workshop introduced youth and adults to the instruments and rhythms of samba batucada. Led by Mestre Maninho Costa, the session sparked new friendships and set the stage for a future community performance group to animate local festivals and celebrations.
Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness (multiple projects)
From a 56-unit strata’s emergency plan to Madrona West NEPP annual drills, neighbours organized command posts, practiced rapid assessments, and improved their emergency kits. These projects strengthen readiness and, just as importantly, connect people before emergencies happen.
Oceanside Plant-Based Cooking Club (region-wide)
Food has always been a connector. This popular community cooking series brought residents together to prep, learn, and share plant-based meals. Participants left with recipes, new skills, and new friends. Between classes, the group now gathers for potlucks and game nights to keep the momentum going.
Community traditions and celebrations (region-wide)
From the Hermitage Park Luminary Walk on Christmas Eve, to Pride Day at Rotary Park and a Pride Flag Raising & Community Gathering, Family Day Face Painting, neighbours continued to create visible, welcoming spaces where people of all ages can celebrate, connect, and feel like they belong.
Join in on free local events and workshops
Many NSG projects are free and open to neighbours. Keep an eye on the PQCF website, social channels, and community boards for gatherings, workshops, and celebrations near you.
What is Neighbourhood Small Grants?
NSG offers $50–$500 for resident-led ideas that build connection close to home. Individuals and informal groups can apply. The process is friendly, decisions are local, and the focus is on simple projects that make a real difference.
What’s next
A Spring NSG intake is coming, with applications expected in February or March (closing April 15, 2026). Watch PQCF channels for dates and how to apply: neighbourhoodsmallgrants.ca.