Business Beautification Fund

PURPOSE

The Business Beautification Fund was established to enhance the outward appearance of street-level storefront businesses in Downtown Van. Since 2022, 36+ businesses in the downtown core have benefited from this funding, with each successful application receiving up to $2,000 for their project.

ELIGIBILITY

You must be a Downtown Van member (apply here) with a street level business in a commercial building located within the Downtown Van boundaries.

ELIGIBLE IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDE:

• Repair or replacement of storefront windows and doors.
• Implementation or upgrade of the permanent or temporary patio, including but not limited to patio applications, drawings and implementation, furniture, umbrellas, planters, decorations.
• Addition of landscaping elements such as planters and hanging baskets to an existing patio or outdoor business area.
• Refresh of external finishes and repaint, including doors, window frames, etc.
• Repair or upgrade of business signs such as main business signage, sandwich boards, etc.
• Upgrade of windows displays including but not limited to design and installation of wraps, displays, lighting, menu boards, etc.

Please note: The above list is not all-encompassing. Other improvements may be eligible if they meet the purpose of the Business Beautification Fund.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications for the 1st round of intake in 2024-25 were open from Friday, April 4th, through to April 25th, once funds were exhausted. The second round of intake for 2024-25 is now closed. If you’d like to register your interest for the next fiscal year, please submit your application which will be reviewed in the coming months.

Step 1: Submit your application

• Applications will be reviewed on a first-come first-served basis, and will be approved by the Downtown Van Business Beautification Fund Committee. Successful applicants can expect to be notified within 14 days of submission.
• (1) application per business is accepted

Step 2: Upon review and project approval, a Letter of Agreement detailing the terms, conditions, and the amount of funding approval will be issued.

Step 3: Business beautification improvements take place.

• Note that all funds from Downtown Van for the Business Beautification Fund are reimbursements subject to fulfillment of terms and conditions.

Step 4: Submit all required documents by Monday, March 10th 2025.

• Required documents include:
  • Proof of payment–all receipts and/or work invoices for the project
  • An invoice to Downtown Van for the project work, up to the approved funding amount.
  • Before and after photos of the project

Step 5: Payment issued from Downtown Van via cheque.

Please Note…

• All improvements must comply with the City of Vancouver regulations.
• If approval from a property owner is required, a copy of the approval letter must be provided along with any applicable permits to Downtown Van when submitting other outlined required documents.
• All City of Vancouver permits, if required, must be issued before any work activities begin.
• Funds are only given to new projects. Projects under construction or completed projects are not eligible for this funding.
• Downtown Van reserves the right to turn down an application if it does not align with the Business Beautification Fund purpose.

For any questions, please email Ingrid Valou, Manager, Economic Development, at ingrid@dtvan.ca.

Check out past projects here