If you're located in BC the Neighbourhood Small Grants (NSG) program helps residents of any age, experience, or background take part in building community. For residents outside of BC, search online for grants available to communities like yours. If you can't find an appropriate grant online, consider fundraising! Think about the assets and resources available in your neighbourhood and choose something fun that will keep the costs low. Get together with your neighbours to brainstorm ideas; here are a few to get you started: Host a neighbourhood book or yard sale where residents sell useable but unwanted items. Make signs and post on surrounding major streets. Invite all neighbours to participate in different tasks like pricing, sales, set-up, etc. Organize a “service auction” where residents identify their skills and talents and volunteer to provide services like childcare, housecleaning or yard work, house painting, etc. Have people bid on items and the service goes to the highest bidder. Have someone lead an educational hike or nature walk. Advertise the event in the newspaper to draw in people from the community. Ask participants for donations or a commitment to help organize another event. Find out if a few neighbours would be interested in teaching about topics they know: knitting, organic gardening, organizing, cooking, dog grooming, web design, car maintenance. Charge a fee to attend. Create a neighbourhood cookbook made up of a collection of favourite recipes from everyone in the neighbourhood. Sell the cookbook back to everyone in the neighbourhood or at other neighbourhood events.

A Neighbour Hub should be built within close proximity to you and your neighbours. Grassy boulevards make for a great location but ensure to check with your local municipality and adjacent neighbours before deciding on the exact location. If your street doesn't have a boulevard, connect with your local municipality to see if there are alternative options like a parking spot on the street!