Before You Apply

Prior to developing an application, please ensure that both the proposed project and your organization are eligible for funding. If you have any questions regarding eligibility, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@coastfunds.ca or 604-684- 0223.

Eligible Applicants

Through the Annual Stewardship Funding stream, participating First Nations can access their allocated funds available through the marine stewardship fund (Great Bear Sea PFP), the conservation fund (Great Bear Rainforest PFP), and stewardship endowment funds through a single application.

Eligible applicants include:

• The governing bodies of participating First Nations specified in related agreements that are listed as a qualified donee with the Canada Revenue Agency
• Stewardship offices, resource management departments, or non-profit societies with delegated responsibility for conservation on behalf of a participating First Nation

Participating First Nations:

Great Bear Rainforest PFP: ‘Na̲mg̲is, Da’naxda’xw, Gitga’at, Gitxaała, Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw, Haida, Haíɫzaqv (Heiltsuk), Haisla, K’ómoks, Kitasoo Xai’xais, Kitselas, Kwiakah, Lax Kw’alaams, Mamalilikulla, Metlakatla, Nisg̲a’a, Nuxalk, Tlowitsis, We Wai Kai, Wei Wai Kum, Wuikinuxv, Xwémalhkwu (Homalco).

Hith’alis Agreement: Ḵwiḵwa̱sut’inux̱w Ha̱xwa’mis.

Great Bear Sea PFP: Da’naxda’xw, Gitga’at, Gitxaała, Haida, Haíɫzaqv (Heiltsuk), Haisla, K’ómoks, Kitasoo Xai’xais, Kitselas, Kitsumkalum, Kwiakah, Mamalilikulla, Metlakatla, Nuxalk, Tlowitsis, Wei Wai Kum, Wuikinuxv.

Eligible Projects

The conservation fund, stewardship endowment fund, and marine stewardship fund are permanent endowments that support eligible programs and projects focused on sustaining or enhancing the ecological integrity of the Great Bear Rainforest, Great Bear Sea, and Haida Gwaii (the Project Area, also known as the Great Bear Coast).

Projects that may be eligible for funding:

• Science, research, and monitoring for conservation matters
• Conservation, Protected Area, and cultural zone resource planning and management consistent with ecosystem-based management
• First Nation participation in joint conservation management and stewardship initiatives
• Protection or interpretation of biophysical or cultural resources in Protected Areas or areas of specific biological or cultural significance
• Monitoring compliance with conservation area, protected area, marine protected area, and Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area management plans
• Habitat and coastal restoration activities
• Ecosystem-based management conservation and stewardship capacity building including youth stewardship programming that emphasizes connection to traditional territory and teaching of stewardship values
• Planning and development of resource department operating strategic plans, operating plans, or funding applications
• Infrastructure* and office-related expenditures that are critical to the operations of a stewardship, conservation, or Guardian program

*See Funding Approval Policy (page 7) for the required documents that are necessary to use funds for infrastructure

Funding will not be approved for any of the following activities:

• Projects in Protected Areas not consistent with all approved management plans for the area
• Activities inconsistent with any land and marine resource management objectives, including ecosystem-based management regulatory objectives
• Open net cage finfish aquaculture
• Costs related to the consultation and accommodation duties of governments (except in support of Protected Area management or other conservation management initiatives)
• Costs related to the statutory duties of governments or other entities (except in support of ecosystem-based management conservation capacity building for Participating First Nations)
• Activities inconsistent with provincial laws, regulation, determinations, or policies
• Political or other activities inconsistent with the Conservation Fund’s registered charitable tax status and Constitution
• Conservation projects (i.e. habitat restoration, conservancy management) that occur outside the Project Area except where projects are focused on capacity building specific to prospective conservation initiatives (i.e. certified training, workforce development) within the Project Area

For examples of projects that have been supported since 2008, visit the Project Search tool.

Funding Approval Policy

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for applications, monitoring, reporting, and evaluation process for the conservation, stewardship, and marine stewardship funds. The policy encapsulates the parameters contained in Coast Funds’ governing documents, as well as recommendations for best practices.

> View the Stewardship Fund – Funding Approval Policy