Every year, thousands of students, seniors and people with financial barriers are not able to visit our regional parks. You can change this.
Do you remember how much fun the “field trip” was when you were in school? Do you recall that it was even more fun if the trip was to a natural space like a park? Every year, thousands of students, seniors, and people with financial barriers are not able to visit our regional parks. Why? Because there is no funding to charter a bus.
We are working to change this, but we can’t do it alone. With your help we can connect even more groups to the beauty of nature found in Metro Vancouver Regional Parks. A $500 donation makes the dream of a chartered bus a reality. Your donation can and will make a difference.
APPLY FOR A BUS GRANT
Bus Grant Program applications are accepted during the months of October and January. Each organization is eligible for up to two $500 grants per fiscal year (October-September), which covers the cost of chartering a bus. Your trip must have a minimum of 20 attendees, and the main destination must be to a Metro Vancouver Regional Park or Greenway.
We want you to have the best experience with your group. Before chartering your bus, you will need to complete Metro Vancouver Regional Park’s Group Visit Notification Form so they can check that there isn’t any construction, trail closures, filming, or other group visits at the same time and place that you’re planning to go.
If you are a senior’s group, you are eligible for transportation and program funding through our Seniors in Regional Parks initiative, supported by New Horizons for Seniors.
Bus grants are not available for təmtəmíxʷtən/Belcarra and Boundary Bay Regional Parks during May and June due to high visitor volumes. We encourage applicants to plan visits to these parks at other times of the year or explore the many other beautiful regional parks in the system.
Applications are prioritized for volunteer groups, community centres, youth organizations, senior groups, and organizations supporting people with disabilities or other challenges.
Things to consider when applying for a bus grant:
- What is the date of your outing?
- What regional park are you planning to visit?
- Are you using an insured and licensed vehicle with a professional driver?
- How many people are you taking?
- What is the nature of your group? (i.e. non-profit, society, unorganized, etc.)
- What is the purpose of the outing?
The Bus Grant application form is now closed and will re-open on January 1, 2027. Any applications received before January 1, 2027, will be considered case-by-case.
FAQ’s
Bus grants cover up to $500 of the cost of hiring a bus to visit a Metro Vancouver Regional Park or Greenway, where the regional park is the main destination. Once you’ve confirmed the date of your visit, please submit a park visit form here.
Mileage and travel expenses are not covered. Bus grants must be used for programs with a Metro Vancouver Regional Park or Greenway as the main destination. Please note Grouse Mountain Resort, Capilano Suspension Bridge, and Seymour River Fish & Hatchery Education Centre are not eligible for grants.
Up to $500 per grant.
Schools, community centres, youth organizations, seniors groups, and organizations that support people with disabilities or challenges may apply for a Bus Grant. Bus Grants require a minimum of 20 attendees. To ensure we can distribute funding as widely as possible, each organization is limited to a maximum of two bus grants per fiscal year (October-September), or as funding permits.
Bus Grant Program applications will be open for the months of October and January. Intake periods may be extended as more funding becomes available.
Please fill out the online application.
First, we will need you to complete and return your Grant Acceptance Form (instructions will be e-mailed to successful applicants) within 60 days of receiving your grant approval. Acceptance Forms returned after 60 days will not be accepted and you will not receive funding.
Then, we want to hear about your trip! We require that successful applicants send us a Final Report Form within 30 days of completing your trip to keep us both accountable for the Bus Grant funds. We also encourage you to tag us in your regional park adventures on Instagram @mvrpfoundation.ca.
The approval process typically takes 4-6 weeks.
