Vancouver City Council has postponed voting on the second round of the Fourth Plain for All (FPFA) Community Grant Program, delaying allocation of larger grants to support area businesses and community organizations.

The FPFA Community Grant Program, funded through federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars and city general funds, is designed to strengthen and uplift neighborhoods along Fourth Plain Boulevard. The program offers two tiers of funding: smaller awards of up to $5,000 (Round 1, awarded in August 2025) and larger grants of up to $50,000 (Round 2), scheduled to open in early 2026. At play is a total of $150,000 earmarked for Round 2—$100,000 for larger project support and $50,000 for smaller awards.  City online information

According to public records, Round 1 awards were granted last August, supporting a broad range of youth, cultural, and community-building efforts targeted to Fourth Plain neighborhoods. Round 2 had been slated for a 2026 application window—but a vote to confirm and approve grant parameters or launch that round has now been delayed. The city’s website confirms the two-round structure but does not yet reflect an updated schedule.  FPFA program page

At this stage, the council’s rationale for delaying the vote—or whether any new timeline has been set—has not been publicly released. As a result, businesses and nonprofits anticipating these funds cannot yet plan or apply. The delay raises questions about timing and clarity in the distribution process, especially given the grant funds are intended to support community resilience and economic development.

Why this matters locally: Fourth Plain Boulevard is one of the city’s most diverse and historically underserved corridors. Delays in grant approval mean local businesses and community groups—many led by BIPOC residents—must wait to access resources intended for cultural events, youth programs, entrepreneurship, and economic recovery. For businesses and nonprofits with seasonal or time-sensitive programming, deferred decisions could disrupt operations and undermine trust in the grant process.

Next steps: We will monitor council agendas and meeting minutes to identify when the vote is rescheduled and published. Once a new date is confirmed, we will update the community accordingly and track whether Round 2 moves forward as planned or undergoes revisions.

Columbia Countercurrent will continue its coverage of this issue to ensure transparency and accountability in how Fourth Plain area investment is administered—and to report when these highly anticipated funds become available.

Sources:

• City of Vancouver, FPFA Community Grant Program details, including funding structure and timelines, City program page