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Funding Round-Up: Spring Grants for First Nations
Have a project idea and need additional funding to make it happen? We’ve pulled together a list of grants and funding opportunities available to First Nations on the coast.
First Nations working to manage their territories and invest in their communities may be eligible to apply for funding from Crown governments, philanthropic foundations, and corporate community investment programs. And, through Coast Funds, participating First Nations in the Great Bear Rainforest and Haida Gwaii may have funding available for stewardship, conservation, and economic development projects in addition to fundraising support.
On this page, Coast Funds team members have compiled a list of additional funding opportunities for First Nations with upcoming deadlines.
Disclaimer: Coast Funds has made a reasonable effort to gather and check information. However, details and timelines for grant programs can change. When looking for funding, please check eligibility and program details on the funding organization’s webpage.
Prefer to view this list in a table? Skip to the bottom.
Arts, Language, and Culture
Northern Development Initiative Trust: Cultural Infrastructure
Supports the creation or improvement of arts, heritage, culture, and creative innovation spaces.
- Grant range: $100,000 to $300,000
- Location: Northern Development’s region.
- Application deadline: April 30, and July 31
Union of BC Municipalities: CEPF – Indigenous Cultural Safety and Cultural Humility Program
Supports Indigenous communities in establishing cultural safety and cultural humility.
- Grant range: Up to $30,000
- Location: British Columbia
- Application deadline: November 1, 2024
Community and Economic Development
Indigenous Services Canada: Professional and Institutional Development Program
Supports projects that develop the capacity of First Nations and Inuit communities for core functions of government like planning and risk management, leadership, administration, and financial management.
- Grant range: N/A
- Location: Canada-wide
- Application deadline: Contact your funding services officer in your Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) REGIONAL OFFICE for the deadline in your region.
New Relationship Trust: Indigenous Labour Market Fund
Supports Indigenous communities in addressing gaps in advancing Indigenous labour market and employment initiatives.
- Grant range: Stream 1 – $150,000; Stream 2 – $250,000; Stream 3 – $75,000
- Location: British Columbia
- Application deadline: December 1, 2024
Northern Development Initiative Trust: Community Places
Supports the creation, restoration, or enhancement of community spaces that will improve amenities and enhance overall quality of life.
- Grant range: Up to $30,000
- Location: Northern British Columbia (see ELIGIBILITY)
- Application deadline: April 30, and July 31
Northern Development Initiative Trust: Northern Healthy Community Fund
Supports initiatives that assist healthy, sustainable, and resilient communities facing rapid and large-scale economic development and associated need for enhanced social service readiness.
- Grant range: N/A
- Location: Northern British Columbia (details)
- Application deadline: May 10, 2024
Northern Development Initiative Trust: Marketing Initiatives Program
Supports new marketing campaigns or projects that position a community or region to take advantage of economic vitality and diversification opportunities.
- Grant range: Up to $20,000
- Location: Northern British Columbia (see ELIGIBILITY)
- Application deadline: April 30, and July 31
Oshki Wupoowane: The Blanket Fund
Supports cultural, artistic, and educational activities by both Indigenous communities and organizations, and by Indigenous individuals undertaking related community initiatives. Offered through two grant streams (RECONCILIATION ACTION GRANTS and CAPACITY BUILDING GRANTS).
- Grant range: up to $175,000/year (multi-year grants are available).
- Location: Canada-wide
- Application deadline: Open
Outdoor Recreation Council of BC: Outdoor Recreation Fund of BC
Supports community-based initiatives that create and shape meaningful outdoor recreational and nature-based experiences for British Columbians.
- Grant range: $2,000 – $25,000
- Location: British Columbia
- Application deadline: April 30, 2024
Vancouver Foundation: Community Prosperity Fund
Supports poverty reduction and social inclusion projects by providing multi-year operational grants for Indigenous governing bodies, charities, and non-profits.
- Grant range: N/A
- Location: British Columbia
- Application deadline: May 2024
Clean Energy and Sustainable Economy
BC Hydro: The Indigenous Communities Conservation Program (ICCP)
Supports Indigenous communities by providing energy efficiency upgrades in their homes, installation training, and free energy-saving products.
- Grant range: N/A
- Location: British Columbia (see details)
- Application deadline: Open
BC Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation: First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund (FNCEBF) – Capacity Funding
Supports Indigenous community participation in the clean energy sector through agreements between the BC Government and the eligible applicant.
- Grant range: Up to $50,000 per applicant. Up to $30,000 for community energy plans. Up to $50,000 for feasibility studies and business planning.
- Location: British Columbia
- Application deadline: April 30, 2024
Environment and Climate Change Canada: Indigenous Leadership Fund
Supports Indigenous-owned and led renewable energy, energy efficiency, and low-carbon heating projects to reduce emissions.
- Grant range: Up to $6,000,000
- Location: Canada-wide
- Application deadline: Open
Project Zero: Circular Economy Accelerator
Supports hands-on operations for businesses who seek to adopt circular economy principles, reduce waste and emissions, increase revenue, and develop innovative practices.
- Grant range: N/A
- Location: Vancouver Island and Sunshine Coast
- Application deadline: N/A
Province of British Columbia: CleanBC Plastics Action Fund (Indigenous Projects Stream)
Supports plastic waste reduction projects to promote a circular economy in British Columbia through recycling, remanufacturing, reuse, and repair projects.
- Grant range: $75,000 – $150,000
- Location: British Columbia
- Application deadline: Open
Climate, Stewardship, and Conservation
2 Billion Trees Program
Supports new tree planting projects.
- Grant range: N/A
- Location: Canada-wide
- Application deadline: Various application deadlines. DETAILS.
Climate-Resilient Coastal Communities Program: Indigenous-Led Stream
Supports Indigenous communities and sectors to work together at a regional scale to co-develop coordinated actions that increase climate resilience in coastal regions.
- Grant range: 70-100% of total project costs
- Location: Canada-wide (coastal communities)
- Application deadline: Open
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada: First Nation Adapt Program
Supports Indigenous communities and organizations to assess and respond to the impacts of climate change and increase climate resilience.
- Grant range: Up to $250,000
- Location: Canada-wide
- Application deadline: Open
Environment and Climate Change Canada: Environmental Damages Fund
Supports projects related to the conservation and protection of fish or fish habitat or the restoration of fish habitat in the Province of British Columbia.
- Grant range: Up to $2,000,000 (see details)
- Location: British Columbia – with focus on Vancouver, Campbell River, Fraser River, Peace River (see details)
- Application deadline: May 30, 2024
Government of Canada
Several funding programs are available, depending on project focus, region, and timing.
McConnell Foundation: Climate, Reconciliation, Community
Supports programs and activities that enhance climate, reconciliation, and community.
- Grant range: Up to $800,000+
- Location: Canada-wide
- Application deadline: Ongoing
Province of BC – Climate Funding Finder Tool
Use the Funder Finder Tool to find information on close to 100 programs from a variety of funding organizations.
TD: Friends of the Environment Foundation Grant
Supports a wide range of environmental initiatives, with a primary focus on environmental education and green space programs.
- Grant range: $2,000 – $8,000
- Location: Canada-wide
- Application deadline: July 15, 2024
Know about a funding opportunity that isn’t on this list? Let us know at info@coastfunds.ca.
