Living Waters Fund
Grant Application
The Living Waters Fund was established through the generosity of benefactors and guests at the 2025 Archbishop’s Dinner. This fund seeks to empower women facing adversity by helping them find safety, healing, and new beginnings.
Through this grant program, Catholic ministries and partner organizations within the Archdiocese of Vancouver can apply for financial support to develop or expand initiatives that accompany women through life’s most difficult seasons.
Purpose of the Fund
The Living Waters Fund provides financial assistance to Catholic ministries and partner organizations for specific, project-based initiatives. All funded projects must align with Catholic moral and social teachings and demonstrate measurable impact in at least one of the following areas:
- Offer safe refuge and long-term support for women fleeing from domestic abuse.
- Walk with single mothers as they rebuild their lives.
- Provide compassionate outreach to women experiencing homelessness.
- Accompany women as they heal from trauma and injustice.
- Care for women affected by sexual exploitation.
The total grant pool is approximately $415,000.
Application Process
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be affiliated or aligned with the Catholic Church within the Archdiocese of Vancouver.
- Operate programs and serve beneficiaries within the Archdiocese.
- Align initiatives with Catholic moral and social teachings, promoting human dignity, compassion, and healing for women.
- Be a registered charity or operate under the charitable registration of a Catholic diocese, parish, or school board.
- Provide proof of charitable status (CRA registration number) and affiliation or partnership with a Catholic ministry.
The Living Waters Fund does not provide grants for:
- Payment of prior-incurred debts.
- Contributions to general fundraising campaigns or endowment funds.
- Normal operational or administrative expenses unrelated to the proposed project.
- Research projects, feasibility studies, or surveys.
- Projects not aligned with Catholic moral and social teachings.
Funding requests should reflect the scope and impact of the proposed project. The Living Waters Fund Committee reserves the right to adjust awarded amounts based on available resources and alignment with priorities.
Applications must be submitted online by 5:00 PM on the final day of the application period (see schedule below).
Phase 1 – approximate funds available: $250,000
- December 31, 2025: Application Period Ends
- January 2026: Application Review & Evaluation
- February 2026: Grant Notification / Disbursement
- Before August 31, 2026: Project/Impact Reporting
Phase 2 – approximate funds available: $165,000
- March 1 – 31, 2026: Application Period
- April 2026: Application Review & Evaluation
- May 2026: Grant Notification / Disbursement
- Before August 31, 2026: Project/Impact Reporting
Applications will be submitted through the Archdiocese website using the official online form.
Recipients must submit a report detailing how funds were used and the outcomes achieved by August 31, 2026.
Reports should include:
- A financial summary of expenditures.
- A description of project activities and outcomes.
- Impact stories or testimonials, if available.
- Photos (highly recommended).
Applications will be evaluated based on:
- Alignment with the Living Waters Fund mission and priorities.
- Demonstrated community need and potential impact.
- Feasibility and measurable outcomes.
- Sound financial planning and accountability.
For direct inquiries, contact:
Shermin Chan
Development Office, Archdiocese of Vancouver
4885 Saint John Paul II Way Vancouver, BC V5Z 0G3
schan@rcav.org