Estimated Reading time
8 Mins
Winter Funding Opportunities: Round-up for First Nations
A staff-curated list of external grants and funding opportunities available for First Nations’ projects in stewardship, sustainable energy, training, culture, and economic development.
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 staff members have 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.
COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
CONSERVATION, STEWARDSHIP, AND CLIMATE ACTION
Community and Economic Development
Government of British Columbia: Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program
Supports economic development opportunities in rural communities throughout BC with a focus on diversification, capacity building and infrastructure development.
- Grant Range: Multiple funding streams
- Location: British Columbia
- Application Deadline: October 31, 2025
Government of Canada: Lands and Economic Development Services Program
Supports economic development, land, and environmental capacity of communities and the establishment of the conditions for economic development to occur, increasing their participation in the economy.
- Grant Range: Up to $50,000
- Location: Canada-wide
- Application Deadline: Open
Island Coastal Economic Trust: Capital and Innovation Program
Supports the development of vital regional and community-based public amenities and services to support sustainable economic diversification and growth, innovation, as well as enhanced quality of life.
- Grant Range: Up to $200,000
- Location: Vancouver Island, the southern Great Bear Rainforest, the Sunshine Coast, and islands and inlets from the Salish Sea to Cape Caution. Details.
- Application Deadline: Ongoing
Indigenous Services Canada: Access to Business Opportunities Program
Support a regional or national initiative that will provide tools and support to foster Indigenous entrepreneurship.
- Grant Range: Up to $500,000
- Location: Canada-wide
- Application Deadline: October 31, 2025
Indigenous Services Canada: Community Opportunity Readiness Program
Supports First Nation and Inuit Communities for a range of activities to support communities’ pursuit of economic opportunities in addition to helping applicants to submit proposals to seek additional funding.
- Grant Range: 30-80% of project cost, maximum variable by project type
- Location: Canada-wide
- Application Deadline: Open
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.
- Location: Canada-wide
- Application Deadline: Varies by region. Contact your regional office for info.
Indigenous Youth Roots: Creation Grants
Supports projects and groups that seek to create impactful community change and increase the wellness, resiliency and engagement of Indigenous youth.
- Grant Range: $10,000 to $20,000
- Location: Canada-wide
- Application Deadline: October 31, 2025
New Relationship Trust: BC Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund
Supports upcoming cannabis business’ by facilitating community planning and engagement activities, as well as assisting with business planning, design, and implementation tasks associated with their cannabis project.
- Grant Range: Up to $250,000
- Location: British Columbia
- Application Deadline: Open until funds are exhausted.
New Relationship Trust: Declaration Act Engagement Fund
Supports First Nation’s capacity to engage with the province on the implementation of the Declaration Act action plan and alignment of Provincial laws with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
- Grant Range: Up to $1,040,000
- Location: British Columbia
- Application Deadline: Open until all eligible BC First Nation communities have accessed the fund.
New Relationship Trust: Equity Matching – Entrepreneurs
Supports Indigenous entrepreneurs with equity-matching grants to reduce the cash burden for entrepreneurs in meeting their equity requirements of a business loan.
- Grant Range: $5,000 to $25,000
- Location: British Columbia
- Application Deadline: Open until funds are exhausted.
New Relationship Trust: Indigenous Labour Market Fund
Supports Indigenous labour market and employment initiatives to increase Indigenous labour market participation and job creation in BC while demonstrating respect for Indigenous culture, values, and traditions.
- Grant Range: $75,000 to $250,000
- Location: British Columbia
- Application Deadline: Open until funds are exhausted.
Pacific Economic Development Canada: Community Economic Development and Diversification in British Columbia
Supports projects that harness local ambitions, assets, knowledge, and economic opportunities to create more prosperous and resilient communities.
- Grant Range: Up to 50% of eligible project costs
- Location: British Columbia
- Application Deadline: Ongoing
Pacific Economic Development Canada: Regional Innovation Ecosystems in British Columbia
Supports business needs throughout the innovation continuum, and foster an entrepreneurial environment conducive to innovation, growth and competitiveness.
- Grant Range: Unlisted
- Location: British Columbia
- Application Deadline: Ongoing
Pacific Economic Development Canada: Regional Tariff Response Initiative in British Columbia
Supports BC businesses facing trade and tariffs disruptions to pivot to new paths to growth by helping them boost productivity and reduce costs, build more resilient supply chains, and reach new markets.
- Grant Range: Multiple funding streams
- Location: British Columbia
- Application Deadline: October 15, 2025, for prioritization
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
UBCM: Emergency Support Services Equipment and Training
Support to build local capacity to provide emergency support services through volunteer/responder recruitment, retention and training, and the purchase of essential equipment.
- Grant Range: Up to $30,000
- Location: British Columbia
- Application Deadline: November 14, 2025
Conservation, Stewardship, and Climate
2 Billion Trees Program
Supports new tree planting projects.
- Grant Range: N/A
- Location: Canada-wide
- Application Deadline: Various application deadlines. Details.
BC Conservation Foundation: Community Conservation Fund
Supports community-based conservation initiatives that promote collaboration, applied knowledge, and education to positively impact local fish and wildlife populations.
- Grant Range: N/A
- Location: British Columbia
- Application Deadline: Intake opens November 1, 2025.
EcoCanada: Youth in Natural Resources
Supports wage funding for employers hiring young professionals for full-time placements and job training in natural resource sectors, supporting environmental protection, and positive outcomes.
- Grant Range: Up to $30,000
- Location: Canada-wide
- Application Deadline: Ongoing
Government of Canada: First Nations Adapt Program
Supports First Nation communities and organizations located south of the 60th parallel to assess and respond to the impacts of climate change, and increase climate resilience, in support of self-determined priorities.
- Location: locations south of 60th parallel (boundary between provinces and territories)
- Application Deadline: Ongoing
Habitat Conservation Trust Fund: Grants
Supports conservation projects focusing on wildlife restoration, land acquisition, community engagement, and biodiversity education in BC.
- Grant Range: $5,000 to $150,000, depending on the opportunity
- Location: British Columbia
- Application Deadline: various Fall 2025 (earliest November 7, 2025)
Indigenous Stewardship Fund: Climate Emergency Fund
Supports for urgent, Indigenous-led environmental restoration projects that protect and restore salmon populations and their habitats.
- Grant Range: Minimum $50,000, with no set maximum
- Location: British Columbia
- Application Deadline: Not listed.
Indigenous Youth Roots: Land and Food Sovereignty
Supports projects spanning a full growing season that offer multi-seasonal land-based programming to learn about food, medicines, and engage with knowledge keepers.
- Grant Range: Minimum $50,000, with no set maximum
- Location: British Columbia
- Application Deadline: Open for applications in Fall 2025.
Pacific Salmon Foundation: Community Salmon Program
Supports volunteer and community–driven organizations that undertake salmon conservation and restoration projects.
- Grant Range: Up to $2,500
- Location: British Columbia
- Application Deadline: October 15, 2025.
Real Estate Foundation of BC: General Grants
Supports land and real estate related projects led by First Nations, non-profits, and other organizations in BC.
- Grant Range: N/A
- Location: British Columbia
- Application Deadline: January 2026
Watershed Security Fund
Supports watershed work and partnerships, including watershed planning and governance, ecosystems restoration, and nature-based infrastructure.
- Grant Range: up to $400,000
- Location: British Columbia
- Application Deadline: November 17, 2025
Arts and Culture
First Peoples’ Cultural Council: Language Vitality Program
Supports First Nations language revitalization projects.
- Grant Range: $50,000 to $300,000
- Location: British Columbia
- Application Deadline: December 10, 2025
Government of Canada: Local Festivals – Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage
Supports festivals that present the work of local artists, artisans, or heritage performers, including the celebration of 2SLGBTQI+ communities and Indigenous culture.
- Grant Range: Up to $200,000
- Location: Canada-wide
- Application Deadlines: October 15, January 31, and April 30
Indigenous Screen Office: Sector Development – Travel Program
Supports Indigenous screen-based creatives for project related-activities or professional development opportunities that require travel.
- Grant Range: $2,500 to $4,500
- Location: Canada-wide
- Application Deadline: March 1, 2026 (or until funding is exhausted)
UBC – Irving K. Barber Learning Centre: British Columbia History Digitization Program
Support for digitization activities of historical materials, including for projects that will not result in public access to the digitized material.
- Grant Range: Up to $15,000 (matching)
- Location: Canada-wide
- Application Deadline: December 8, 2025
Sustainable Energy
Fortis BC: Indigenous Communities Conservation Program
Supports Indigenous communities looking to improve energy efficiency and comfort in community members’ homes.
- Grant Range: $100,000 to $1,000,000
- Location: British Columbia
- Application Deadline: Ongoing
Government of Canada: Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities Program
Supports Indigenous-led climate action through biomass heating, district heating, and combined heat and power systems, as well as research, development, and demonstration projects.
- Location: Canada-wide
- Application Deadline: Intakes remain open until 2027 or until funding is fully committed. Please note: All new applications will be placed on a waitlist.
Indigenous Clean Energy: Charge Up
Supports the installation of electric vehicle charging stations for Indigenous communities and businesses.
- Grant Range: Up to 75% (up to set maximums) of eligible project costs
- Location: Canada-wide
- Application Deadline: Ongoing
Indigenous Clean Energy: Generation Power
Supports capacity development and wage funding to employers hiring Indigenous youth (18 – 30) for full-time placements related to clean energy.
- Grant Range: 75% (up to $30,000)
- Location: Canada-wide
- Application Deadline: Ongoing
Wah-ila-toos: Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities
Supports renewable energy and capacity building projects to reduce the reliance on fossil fuels for heating and electricity in Indigenous, rural, and remote communities across Canada.
- Grant Range: $100,000 to $1,000,000
- Location: Canada-wide
- Application Deadline: Ongoing
Training and Equipment
BC Hydro: Scholarships and Awards
Post-secondary and Indigenous scholarship programs support students in BC who aspire to become engineers, electricians, and other key professionals in the energy sector for a sustainable future.
Government of Canada: Finder Tool
Indigenous bursaries search tool. You can search for bursaries by keyword, location, program of study, or Indigenous group.
Indspire: Building Brighter Futures
Support is available to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis students in remote communities, rural areas, and urban centres across Canada through bursaries, scholarships, and awards from various organizations. Use their funding page to find opportunities that suit your needs.
Scholarships Canada: Finder Tool
Matches applicants to scholarships based on the information provided when applicants create an account.
Know about a funding opportunity that isn’t on this list? Let us know at info@coastfunds.ca.
