Estimated Reading time
9 Mins
2026 Spring 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
Indigenous Youth Roots: Youth and Community Wellness
Supports Indigenous youth-led initiatives that center around engaging youth in programming that focuses on wellness, health and the land.
- Grant Range: $4,500
- Location: Restricted urban centres, see website
- Application Deadline: Not yet listed for 2026
ISPARC: Food Systems Program
Supports Nations and Indigenous organizations working on food sovereignty and security initiatives.
- Grant Range: Up to $5,000
- Location: Restricted urban centres, see website
- Application Deadline: Not yet listed for 2026
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 (or until funds are expended)
New Relationship Trust: BC Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund
Supports upcoming cannabis businesses by facilitating community planning and engagement activities, as well as assisting with business planning, design, and implementation tasks associated with the 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
New Relationship Trust: Nation Building Grant
Supports self-determined priorities that enhance governance structures, institutional capacity, and community resilience, advancing self-determination and sovereignty.
- Grant Range: $60,000 to $120,000
- Location: British Columbia
- Application Deadline: December, 2026 (or until funds are exhausted)
Northern First Nations Health Partnership Committee, Northern Health, and the First Nations Health Authority: Indigenous Health and Community Awards
Supports community-based initiatives that focus on holistic health and wellness and related to cultural safety, primary care, mental wellness and substance abuse, populations and public health, traditional wellness.
- Grant Range: Up to $8,000
- Location: Within a Northern Health and First Nations Health Authority Northern Region
- Application Deadline: May 25, 2026
Northern Health: IMAGINE
Supports community-based initiatives that focus on one or more of the following priorities: mental wellness; community diversity; harm reduction; climate health action; food security; active living; community safety.
- Grant Range: Up to $10,000
- Location: Within a Northern Health and First Nations Health Authority Northern Region
- Application Deadline: June 2026
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
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
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: July 31, 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: $5,000 to $25,000
- Location: Canada-wide
- Application Deadline: September 10, 2026
Conservation, Stewardship, and Climate Action
BC Hydro: Community Grant
Supports initiatives that align with one of these three focus areas: public safety education workshops & emergency preparedness, STEM & trades workforce development, land & water stewardship activities or education.
- Grant Range: Up to $5,000
- Location: British Columbia
- Application Deadline: May 31, 2026
First Nations Health Authority: Environmental Contaminants Program
Supports BC First Nation community-based research projects that explore the link between human health and environmental contaminants.
- Grant Range: Not listed
- Location: British Columbia
- Application Deadline: Ongoing
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
BC Parks Foundation: BC Conservation Fund
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
- Expressions of Interest: July 10, 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 outcomes.
- 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: Salmon Resiliency Fund
Support for urgent, Indigenous-led restoration projects that advance salmon restoration efforts.
- Grant Range: Minimum $50,000
- Location: British Columbia
- Application Deadline: May 27, 2026
Pacific Salmon Foundation: Community Salmon Program
Supports volunteer and community–driven organizations that undertake salmon conservation and restoration projects.
- Grant Range: $2,500
- 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
Thunderbird Collective: Fire Stewardship Program
Supports projects that advance fire stewardship practices, strengthens communities, and advances Indigenous-led approaches to land and fire management.
- Grant Range: Up to $70,000
- Location: Canada-wide
- Application Deadline: June 5, 2026
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
Arts and Culture
BC Arts Council: Project Assistance – Community Arts Festivals
Supports community arts and culture festivals with professional, technical, Elder, and Knowledge Keeper fees.
- Grant Range: Up to $6,000
- Location: British Columbia
- Application Deadline: February 18, 2026
First Peoples’ 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: January 13, 2026
Future Generations Foundation – Funds for Individuals
Supports scholarships for post-secondary education and bursaries for training and trades programs. Flexible funding for cultural learning, language, and traditional knowledge. These grants are available to First Nations individuals aged 18+ with valid membership.
- Grant Range: N/A
- Location: Canada-wide
- Application Deadline: June 5, 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: January 31, April 30, and 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 $25,000
- Location: Canada-wide
- Application Deadline: Ongoing
Oshki Wupoowane: The Blanket Fund
Provides support for Indigenous cultural, artistic, and educational activities. Offered through two grant streams.
- Grant Range: $1,500 to $15,000 (Reconciliation Action Grant), or up to $175,000 (Capacity Building Grant)
- Location: Canada-wide
- Application Deadline: Applications for Reconciliation Action Grant ongoing; Capacity Building Grant not yet available
Sustainable Energy
Fortis BC: Indigenous Communities Conservation Program
Supports Indigenous communities looking to improve energy efficiency and comfort in community members’ homes.
- Grant Range: (Rebate-based)
- Location: British Columbia
- Application Deadline: Ongoing
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
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Government of Canada
Supports various First Nation-led projects via multiple active funding streams.
- Location: British Columbia and Canada
- Application Deadline: Ongoing
Cultural Development and Diversification in British Columbia
Community Opportunity Readiness Program
Environment and Climate Change Canada – Indigenous Leadership Fund
Lands and Economic Development Services Program
Local Festivals – Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage
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.
