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2026 Fall Funding Opportunities 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.
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.
COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
CONSERVATION, STEWARDSHIP, AND CLIMATE ACTION
Community and Economic Development
Canada Council for the Arts: Creating, Knowing and Sharing
Supports First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals, groups and arts/cultural sector development organizations that foster a vital and resilient Indigenous arts ecosystem.
- Grant Range: Varies based on funding stream
- Location: Canada-wide, along with other regions
- Application Deadline: May 20, 2026, then Fall 2026
Indigenous Youth Roots: Youth Empowerment Stream
Supports Indigenous youth-led initiatives, with a focus on new and emerging projects that focus on the resilience, engagement and wellness of Indigenous youth.
- Grant Range: Up to $5,000
- Location: Canada-wide
- Application Deadline: October 31, 2026 (grant opening October 1, 2026)
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
- Application Deadline: Ongoing
McConnell Foundation: Reconciliation Focus Area
Supports projects that further the transition to a reconciliation economy, including Indigenous-led solutions and collaborative funding projects.
- Grant Range: N/A
- Location: Canada-wide
- Application Deadline: Ongoing
NDN Collective: Community Action Fund
Supports Indigenous frontline, grassroots, community-based groups and organizations, Tribes, communities and villages, and individuals leading direct action or movement-building work in their effort to defend Indigenous Peoples’ rights, and protect their land, air, water, and natural resources.
- Grant Range: Up to $15,000
- Location: Canada-wide, along with other regions
- Application Deadline: October 16, 2026
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 $1,000,000
- Location: British Columbia
- Application Deadline: Until funds are exhausted
New Relationship Trust: Declaration Act Engagement Fund
Supports First Nation’s capacity to engage and consult with BC on the implementation of the Declaration Act Action Plan and commitments to align provincial legislation consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
- Grant Range: Up to $1,040,000
- Location: British Columbia
- Application Deadline: 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: $7,500 to $25,000
- Location: British Columbia
- Application Deadline: 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: Until funds are exhausted
Northern Development Initiative Trust – Rural and Remote Employment Initiatives Fund: Business Advisory Supports
Supports small businesses with the costs associated with third-party professional supports in addressing tariff-related impacts and/or the creation of employment opportunities.
- Grant Range: Up to $30,000
- Location: British Columbia
- Application Deadline: Until December 31, 2026, or 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: Up to $3,000,000
- Location: British Columbia
- Application Deadline: September 11, 2026
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
Province of British Columbia: Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage Legacy Fund
Supports capital projects that restore, renovate or transform existing community spaces.
- Grant Range: Up to $500,000
- Location: British Columbia
- Application Deadline: Ongoing
Province of BC: First Nations Equity Financing Program
Provides loan guarantees that support First Nations to secure equity ownership in new and incremental revenue-generating projects, creating long-term economic benefits for First Nations and supporting economic growth in British Columbia.
- Grant Range: Varies based on project size (Small and medium: $25M-$125M, Large: over $125M)
- Location: British Columbia
- Application Deadline: Until funds are exhausted
Telus Friendly Futures Foundation: Community Board Grants
Supports organizations reducing education and health barriers for youth (under 29). Preference given to programs demonstrating the use of technology to help youth reach their full potential.
- Grant Range: Up to $20,000
- Location: Canada-wide, multiple regions
- Application Deadlines: next intake October 2, 2026
Telus: Indigenous Communities Fund
Supports Indigenous-led social, health and community programs focused on, but not limited to: health, mental health and well-being; access to education and resources; preservation of the land and water; community building and enhancement; and intergenerational language and cultural revitalization.
- Grant Range: Up to $25,000
- Location: Canada-wide
- Application Deadline: September 10, 2026
Conservation, Stewardship, and Climate Action
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, 2026
BC Conservation Foundation: Land For Wildlife Fund
Supports the purchasing of land for conservation purposes.
- Grant Range: N/A
- Location: British Columbia
- Application Deadline: Intake opens November 1, 2026
BC Parks: BC Conservation Fund – Area Based Conservation Initiatives
Supports area-based conservation initiatives, focused on community support, conservation planning, and long-term stewardship of new protected areas.
- Grant Range: ~ $100,000 to $250,000
- Location: British Columbia
- Expression of Interest: August 12, 2026
- Application Deadline: October 9, 2026
EcoCanada: Youth in Natural Resources
Offers wage funding to employers hiring young professionals for full-time placements and job training in natural resource sectors, supporting environmental protection, and positive outcome.
- Grant Range: 75 per cent of a new employee’s salary up to $23,800
- Location: Canada-wide
- 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 $500,000, depending on the opportunity
- Location: British Columbia
- Application Deadline: Various – next upcoming is October
Indigenous Stewardship Fund: Climate Emergency Grant Program
Supports urgent Indigenous-led environmental emergency response and intervention.
- Grant Range: Minimum $25,000, up to $300,000
- Location: British Columbia
- Application Deadline: Until 2026-27 funds are exhausted.
Indigenous Youth Roots: Land and Food Sovereignty
Supports increased opportunities for youth to participate in land-based programming, learn about food and medicines and engage with knowledge keepers.
- Grant Range: Up to $20,000
- Location: Canada-wide
- Application Deadline: October 31, 2026 (grant opening October 1, 2026)
McConnell Foundation: Climate, Reconciliation, Community
Supports programs and activities that enhance climate, reconciliation, and community.
- Grant Range: $200,000 to $800,000
- Location: Canada-wide
- Application Deadline: Ongoing
Pacific Salmon Foundation: Community Salmon Program
Supports volunteer and community–driven organizations that undertake salmon conservation and restoration projects. Offered through two grant streams.
- Grant Range: Up to $2,500 (Short Form), $2,500 and above (Standard Form)
- Location: British Columbia and Yukon
- Application Deadline: October 15, 2026 (grant opening September, 2026)
Real Estate Foundation of BC: General Grants
Supports projects led by First Nations, non-profits, and other organizations working on projects relating to land use or real estate in BC.
- Grant Range: N/A
- Location: British Columbia
- Application Deadline: Ongoing
Trans Canada Trail: Trail Catalyst Fund
Supports the development and stewardship of trails and trail networks. Indigenous-led projects do not need to be along the Trans Canada Trail.
- Grant Range: Up to $60,000
- Location: Canada-wide
- Application Deadline: Ongoing – Quarterly intake schedule
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 10, 2026 (grant opening October 5, 2026)
Arts and Culture
BC Arts Council: Operating Assistance – Various
Provides operational funding to organizations that provide arts and culture programs, initiatives and services.
- Grant Range: Varies based on funding stream
- Location: British Columbia
- Application Deadline: October 8, 2026
Canada Council for the Arts: Creating, Knowing and Sharing – Short-Term Projects
Supports First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals, groups and arts/cultural sector development organizations that foster a vital and resilient Indigenous arts ecosystem, short-term projects up to one year in length.
- Grant Range: Varies based on funding stream
- Location: Canada-wide
- Application Deadline: November 4, 2026
First People’s Cultural Council: Mentor-Apprentice Program, Languages
Supports B.C. First Nations individuals interested in learning their Indigenous language to become fluent speakers through immersion.
- Grant Range: Up to $21,000
- Location: British Columbia
- Application Deadline: October 15, 2026
First People’s Cultural Council: Youth Empowered Speakers Program
Provides funding to support a BC First Nations student (18 to 35) who is interested in learning their Indigenous language while working towards a career as a language immersion teacher, early childhood immersion educator, or a community language revitalization leader.
- Grant Range: $18,320 to $32,320
- Location: British Columbia
- Application Deadline: October 15, 2026
Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program
Supports conservation and stewardship initiatives including planning, restoration, research, knowledge-gathering and monitoring projects. Funding is intended to compensate for impacts to fish, wildlife and their habitat resulting from BC Hydro dams.
- Grant Range: Not listed
- Location: British Columbia – Coastal, Columbia and Peace regions
- Application Deadline: November 2, 2026
Future Generations Foundation – Funds for Organizations
Provides multi-year funding to support community-driven programs that strengthen education, healing, language, culture, and reconciliation.
- Grant Range: Up to $200,000
- Location: Canada-wide
- Application Deadline: Intake opens October 15, 2026
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 LGBTQ2S+ communities and Indigenous culture.
- Grant Range: Up to $200,000
- Location: Canada-wide
- Application Deadline: October 15, 2026
Na‐mi‐quai‐ni‐mak: I Remember Them Community Support Fund
Supports Indigenous communities, survivor organizations, and registered non‐profits in healing, memorials, and remembrance within their communities. Na-mi-quai-ni-mak funds projects for survivors of the Indian residential school system.
- Grant Range: Up to $10,000
- Location: Canada-wide
- Application Deadline: Ongoing
Oshki Wupoowane: The Blanket Fund – Reconciliation Action Grant
Provides support for Indigenous cultural, artistic, and educational activities.
- Grant Range: $1,500 to $15,000
- Location: Canada-wide
- Application Deadline: Ongoing
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 (rebate-based)
- Location: British Columbia
- Application Deadline: Ongoing
Indigenous Clean Energy: Charge Up
Supports the installation of electric vehicle charging stations for Indigenous communities and businesses.
- Grant Range: Up to 75 per cent of eligible project costs (with set maximums)
- Location: Canada-wide
- Application Deadline: Ongoing
Indigenous Clean Energy: Generation Power
Offers holistic capacity development and wage funding to employers hiring Indigenous youth (18 to 30) for full time placements related to clean energy.
- Grant Range: Up to $30,000
- Location: Canada-wide
- Application Deadline: Ongoing
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, southern Great Bear Rainforest, Sunshine Coast, and islands and inlets from the Salish Sea to Cape Caution
- Application Deadline: Ongoing
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
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: Bursaries Finder Tool
Indigenous bursaries search tool. You can search for bursaries by keyword, location, program of study, or Indigenous group.
Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation: Scholarship Program
The HCTF Scholarship Grant Program supports students pursuing a higher education leading to a career in wildlife or fish conservation.
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.
Indigenous Forestry Scholarship Program
Program provides Indigenous students with tuition and living scholarship, paid summer work-term experience and one-on-one mentorship with a program partner.
Island Coastal Economic Trust: Regional Initiative Bursary
Supports tuition and travel expenses for individuals attending focused, short-term economic development training or economic development conferences within the Island Coastal Trust region.
Work BC: BC Employer Training Grant
Supports employers throughout BC with skills training funding for their workforces, including prospective new hires.
- Grant Range: Up to $300,000
- Location: British Columbia
- Application Deadline: Ongoing
Government of Canada
Supports various First Nation-led projects via multiple active funding streams.
- Location: British Columbia and Canada
- Application Deadline: Ongoing
Community Economic Development and Diversification in British Columbia
Community Opportunity Readiness Program
Environment and Climate Change Canada – Indigenous Leadership Fund
Lands and Economic Development Services Program
Professional and Institutional Development Program
Regional Innovation Ecosystems in British Columbia
Regional Tariff Response Initiative in British Columbia
Know about a funding opportunity that isn’t on this list? Let us know at info@coastfunds.ca.
