The Port Moody Foundation is kicking off its 2013 granting cycle. The foundation seeks letters of interest from eligible non-profit organizations needing financial support in 2013 for projects and programs that will benefit Port Moody and its community members. Grants of $500 to $2,000 may be given.

In 2012 the foundation provided more than $5,000 in grants to help local nonprofits fulfill their goals of serving the community.

"Non-profit organizations provide the backbone that builds environmentally, culturally and socially sustainable communities," foundation president Robert Simons said in a press release. "We are pleased that through our annual grant program we can assist non-profit organizations in their work to enrich our community."

Letters of interest should be one page, outlining a project or program that fits with the funding areas identified in the foundation's mission: social, cultural, ecological and recreational. Letters should be submitted by Friday Feb. 1 to the Port Moody Foundation, 300 Ioco Road, Port Moody, BC, V3H 2V7. A copy should also be e-mailed to paul_thiel@telus.net.

The foundation will review all submissions and create a short list of those that best meet its funding criteria. Selected organizations will be asked to submit a more detailed funding application by March 8.

For details, contact Paul Thiel, grants committee chair, at 604-936-1104 or visit www.portmoodyfoundation.bc.ca.

The Coquitlam Foundation is also accepting applications from qualified individuals and organizations for grants, bursaries and scholarships to be awarded in 2013.

The foundation, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary, distributed $90,000 within the community in 2012, including a $36,000 grant from the Coquitlam Builders' Fund to the Coquitlam Public Library.

Information and application forms are available online at www.coquitlamfoundation.com. The deadline for submissions is 4 p.m. on Feb. 15. All scholarships, bursaries and grants will be distributed June 4 at the foundation's annual awards ceremony.

Eligible community groups can apply for project grants up to $3,500 for initiatives involving the arts; other grants are available in the areas of education, health and wellness, seniors, and heritage and conservation.

Applicants are also being sought for grants and bursaries being awarded from the new James Gordon Stewart Fund, which supports research into Alzheimer's disease and kidney disease, to aid patients afflicted by those diseases, and to provide financial assistance to Tri-Cities students attending Simon Fraser University. In addition, the foundation welcomes applications for bursaries, scholarships and grants from its donor-advised funds.

Visit www.coquitlamfoundation.com for details.