Council Initiatives Fund (CIF)
Learn how to qualify for the Council Initiatives Fund (CIF).
Council Initiatives Fund (CIF) applications
At the September 9, 2024, Regular Council Public Hearing meeting, Council adopted the revised Council Initiatives Fund (CIF) Utilization Policy.
Eligibility criteria
- Organizations or individuals that are eligible to receive financial support or have received financial support in the year from other City sources (i.e. annual operating budget or other Grant Programs) for the proposed request, are not eligible to apply for CIF funding.
- CIF Funding will typically be for City Celebrations, Economic Development/Image Building Initiatives, and Community Projects. All CIF applications must fall into one of the following three categories:
- Residents in need
- Youth Focused
- Free events open to the public (i.e. no admission fee)
- Qualifying applicants are eligible to submit one (1) CIF request per year.
- CIF Funding requests will be provided to organizations and/or individuals that are in good standing with all City bylaws and standards (i.e. FEST review, outstanding invoice review, etc.).
- The maximum funding amount per application is $10,000, with Council having the ability to make exceptions with simple majority support of Council.
Application submission
CIF applications will be considered four times a year, with a submission deadline for each intake.
| Application Intake Session | Submission Deadline | Council Meeting | Event / Initiative Start Date |
| Intake # 1 | January 31st | March | April 1st Onwards |
| Intake # 2 | April 30th | June | July 1st Onwards |
| Intake # 3 | July 31st | September | October 1st Onwards |
| Intake # 4 | October 31st | December | January 1st Onwards |
Submit a completed application to clerks@surrey.ca prior to the submission deadline of the applicable intake session for your event / initiative.
Application review
Each application will be reviewed by a Council Initiatives Fund Standing Committee (“CIF Committee”) comprised of City Councillors, in accordance with the CIF Policy and within the available funding. Directions will be provided to City staff to bring forward the CIF Committee’s recommendations to Council for approval.
Final approval
Mayor & Council will consider the recommendations made by the CIF Committee and provide final approval. All applicants will be notified of Council decision within 60 business days of the application submission deadline by the City Clerks Office.