GRANT APPLICATION: Men's Sheds Start-Up Details and Documents (2023-2024)

Do you know of individuals thinking of starting a Men’s Shed in your community? United Way BC's Healthy Aging Department and Men’s Shed Association of BC can help!

Men’s Sheds are modern, shared versions of the home workshops that have long been part of the Canadian way of life. By creating regular opportunities for men to connect socially, share common interests, stay productive, and contribute to the community, Men’s Sheds help support members’ well-being.

In British Columbia, there are currently more than 30 Men's Sheds and many more in development. A provincial network, Men’s Shed Association of B.C. (MSABC), provides information, resources, and other support to promote the effectiveness of individual Men’s Sheds throughout the province, whether or not they are members of MSABC. Recognizing the value of Men’s Sheds in promoting men’s health and wellness, United Way BC's Healthy Aging Department supports the growth of the Men’s Shed movement in BC and the rest of Canada. Working with MSABC, and supported by an anonymous donor, micro-grants of up to $1,000 are available to assist with the start-up costs of new Men’s Sheds in British Columbia. 

If you or your organization are interested in starting a Men's Shed in your area, start by getting in touch with Mike Jennings, President, Men’s Shed Association of BC: mrchips104@gmail.com.

These Start-up Grants are available to groups of two or more men or to community organizations interested in starting a Men’s Shed in their BC community and who have contacted MSABC to learn about effective approaches to developing and sustaining a Men’s Shed. If an organization has started a Men's Shed but does not require a Start-up Grant, they can apply for the larger Project Grant of up to $10,000.

(To qualify for a Project Grant, a Shed must have seven or more active members, and the Shed must have contacted MSABC to learn about effective approaches to developing and sustaining a Men's Shed, and ideally connected with the Shed nearest to them.)

Getting started is simple:

1. Review the Call for Proposals and application documents (see attached). Review the FAQ for additional questions you may have (question/responses will be added on an ongoing basis).
2. Contact MSABC (Men's Sheds Association of British Columbia) to learn more about Men’s Sheds and what’s involved in starting and sustaining a Shed, and the mentorship support available from the Men’s Shed network. 
3. Get organized, start planning your Shed, and prepare and submit your application to UWBC: Click here to complete the online application.
4. You can review the outcome report template that will be due at the end of the granting period at any time. Once the outcome report has been filled out, please submit it to Calum Petersen, Granting Specialist, UWBC at calump@uwbc.ca.