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Funding Round-Up: Summer 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
First Peoples’ Cultural Council: Arts Infrastructure Program
Supports Indigenous non-profit arts and culture organizations with art space construction or renovations, artistic production projects, administrative capacity building, and operational support.
- Grant range: $40,000 to $75,000
- Location: British Columbia
- Application deadline: July 3, 2024
First Peoples’ Cultural Council: Arts Strengthening Program
Supports arts revitalization opportunities for Indigenous communities.
- Grant range: $30,000 to $50,000
- Location: British Columbia
- Application deadline: July 3, 2024
First Peoples’ Cultural Council: Individual Artists Program
Supports the artistic development of First Nation’s creators.
- Grant range: Up to $20,000
- Location: British Columbia
- Application deadline: July 3, 2024
First Peoples’ Cultural Council: Music Program
Supports the development of First Nations musicians and creative professionals.
- Grant range: $20,000 to $30,000
- Location: British Columbia
- Application deadline: July 3, 2024
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: July 31, 2024
Education, Scholarships, Bursaries
New Relationship Trust: Education (K-12) Grants
Supports learning environments for First Nation kindergarten to Grade 12 classes.
- Grant range: Up to $8,000
- Location: British Columbia
- Application deadline: December 1, 2024
New Relationship Trust: Student Scholarships and Bursaries
Supports First Nations through scholarships and bursaries for post-secondary education.
- Grant range: N/A
- Location: British Columbia
- Application deadline: August 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.
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: July 31, 2024
New Relationship Trust: Declaration Act Engagement Fund
Supports Indigenous capacity to engage with the Province of BC on the implementation of the Declaration Act Action Plan and alignment of Provincial laws with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People.
- Grant range: Up to $1,040,000 (over four years)
- Location: British Columbia
- Application deadline: December 1, 2024
New Relationship Trust: Indigenous Co-operative Initiative
Supports education and coaching to First Nations and Indigenous organizations in setting up co-operative business structures.
- Grant range: N/A
- Location: British Columbia
- Application deadline: December 1, 2024
New Relationship Trust: Indigenous Food Security and Sovereignty Fund
Supports Indigenous food systems, Indigenous agriculture, and food sovereignty work.
- Grant range: Up to $250,000
- Location: British Columbia
- Application deadline: December 1, 2024
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
New Relationship Trust: Nation Building Grants
Supports Indigenous Nation-building activities.
- Grant range: $60,000 to $120,000
- Location: British Columbia
- Application deadline: December 1, 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: July 31, 2024
Vancouver Foundation: Community Prosperity Fund
Supports poverty reduction and social inclusion projects by providing multi-year operating grants for Indigenous governing bodies, charities, and non-profits.
- Grant range: N/A
- Location: British Columbia
- Application deadline: June 24, 2024
We Matter: Indigenous Youth Rise Support Fund
Supports Indigenous youth and promotes community wellness.
- Grant range: Up to $2,000
- Location: Canada-wide
- Application deadline: June 6, 2024
Clean Energy and Sustainable Economy
BC Hydro: Indigenous Communities Conservation Program (ICCP)
Supports Indigenous communities by providing energy efficiency upgrades to homes, installation training, and free energy-saving products.
- Grant range: N/A
- Location: British Columbia (SEE DETAILS)
- Application deadline: Open
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 to $150,000
- Location: British Columbia
- Application deadline: Open
Climate, Stewardship, and Conservation
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 to 100 per cent 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
First Nations Water Caucus, REFBC, FNFC: Watershed Security Fund
Supports projects and initiatives that advance the resiliency of watersheds.
- Grant range: $50,000 to $500,000
- Location: British Columbia
- Application deadline: June 26, 2024
Government of Canada
Several funding programs are available, depending on project focus, region, and timing.
Government of Canada: 2 Billion Trees Program
Supports new tree planting projects.
- Grant range: N/A
- Location: Canada-wide
- Application deadline: September 19, 2024
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 Funding Finder Tool to find information on close to 100 programs from a variety of funding organizations.
Save Our Seas Foundation: Small Grants
Supports research, conservation, and education projects that threatened marine megafauna (sharks, rays, skates, sawfishes, chimaeras).
- Grant range: Up to $5,000 USD
- Location: Worldwide
- Application deadline: June 28, 2024
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 to $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.
