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

• A Participating First Nation (one of the 27 First Nations or 3 Regional Organizations specified in Schedule G of the Conservation Investments and Incentives Agreement – see Our Mandate) as represented by the authorized governing body of the Nation that is listed as a qualified donee with the Charities Directorate of the Canada Revenue Agency; or
• A stewardship office, resource management department, or non-profit society that has delegated responsibility for conservation on behalf of the Participating First Nation and is a registered charity.

Eligible Projects

The conservation fund is a permanent endowment that supports eligible programs and projects focused on sustaining or enhancing the ecological integrity of the Great Bear Rainforest and Haida Gwaii (the Project Area).

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 initiatives;
•  Protection or interpretation of biophysical or cultural resources in Protected Areas or areas of specific biological or cultural significance;
•  Monitoring compliance with conservation management plans;
•  Habitat restoration activities;
• Capacity building specific to conservation initiatives (i.e. certified training, workforce development); and
•  Planning and development of resource department operating strategic plans, operating plans, or funding applications.

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 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; and
• 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.

Conservation Fund – Funding Approval Policy

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for the conservation fund application, monitoring, reporting, and evaluation process. The policy encapsulates the parameters contained in the governing documents as well as recommendations for best practices.

> View the Conservation Fund – Funding Approval Policy