Bursaries & Passes 

Vancouver offers a variety of bursaries and passes for you to choose from.
If you are interested, a coach can assist you with your application. 

Consumer Initiative Fund

The Consumer Initiative Fund is a unique and progressive program that funds and supports projects that are proposed, managed, and led by people with lived experience with mental illness and/or addiction.
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The Consumer Initiative Fund embodies the Philosophy of Recovery with the belief that:
  • Recovery is possible
  • People can have purpose in their lives
  • People can improve the quality of their life through self determination

CMHA Post-Secondary Student Bursaries & Scholarships

Several awards are available each year to BC post-secondary students who live with mental illness or addiction:
  • Lorne Fraser Scholarship for Mental Health Promotion
Scholarships worth $1000 and $2000 are available to two post-secondary students entering the second, third, or fourth year of an undergraduate program, or any stage of a graduate program, whose education and career goals are related to mental health promotion
  • Lorne Fraser Educational Bursary
Several $700 bursaries are available to students for the tuition costs of a post-secondary education at an accredited BC institution
  • Mental Health Fine Arts Bursary (FAB) Award
$1000 for a student at least 18 years of age currently enrolled in, or accepted to, a recognized post-secondary program in the field of fine arts

YMCA Access Programs

Families or individuals who are unable to pay the full fee for a standard membership or program are able to apply for a reduced membership fee. Also, those who currently receive fee assistance from the government prequalify for the program.

Leisure Access Pass 
The Leisure Access Program provides low-income Vancouver residents with access to basic recreation programs and services at Park Board facilities at a reduced cost.
Upon qualifying, the subsidy is loaded on a OneCard for discounted access to all Park Board pools, rinks, and participating fitness and community centres 

Open Door Group Bursary

Support for Mental Health Diagnosis
  • A bursary is available for individuals with mental health diagnosis living in Vancouver who have a new goal in Leisure, Health & Wellness.
  • The purpose of the bursary is to provide financial assistance for access to community-based leisure, health, and wellness services during recovery.
  • The bursary offers up to $150 and is drawn every two months.
Eligibility Criteria
  • Applicants must be referred by a professional, such as:
    • Recreation Therapist
    • Occupational Therapist
    • Case Manager
    • Nurse
    • Social Worker
    • Psychiatrist
    • Doctor
Note: The bursary is intended as a temporary financial bridge to support sustained access to leisure, health, and wellness pursuits.

Education & Leisure Fund

  • Bursary Overview:
    • Education and Leisure Fund bursaries awarded twice a year
    • Aimed at personal development, lifestyle enhancement, vocational training, education, and well-being
    • Supports mental health consumers in recovery
  • Application Deadline:
    • April 30th, 2023
  • Funding Details:
    • Provides up to $400 for education and leisure courses or activities
    • Recipients can take multiple courses or activities if total cost is under $400
    • Applicants must cover any additional costs exceeding $400
  • Application Process:
    • Open twice a year
    • Applications randomly selected in a draw
    • Draw conducted at Consumer Initiative Fund offices