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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.
EDUCATION, SCHOLARSHIPS, BURSARIES
COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
CLEAN ENERGY AND SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY
CLIMATE, STEWARDSHIP, AND CONSERVATION
Arts, Language, and Culture
Indigenous Screen Office: Sector Development
The Sector Development program is designed to support a wide array of initiatives and projects that aim to strengthen and grow the Indigenous screen sector. Workshops, labs, incubators, research projects, community-based programs, and funding for organizations whose mandate is to develop the Indigenous screen sector should consider applying to this program.
- Grant Range: Up to $100,000 (see guidelines)
- Location: Canada-wide
- Application Deadline: On a rolling basis or February 1, 2025
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
Thriving Indigenous Systems Fund (TISF)
Funding up to $100,000 per year, over three years is available for Indigenous-led initiatives focused on healing, land, rights, and culture. The TISF will support work that creates the conditions for systemic transformation by preserving, evolving, and transforming the social, political, and cultural systems of Indigenous communities in BC.
- Grant Range: Up to $100,000
- Location: British Columbia
- Application Deadline: September 6, 2024
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Education, Scholarships, Bursaries
BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres: First Citizens Fund Student Bursary Program
The First Citizens Fund Student Bursary Program provides financial awards to Indigenous students enrolled in post-secondary education. Students apply for the bursary after they successfully complete a semester of post-secondary school.
- Grant Range: $700 to $1,200
- Location: British Columbia
- Application Deadline: September 15, 2024
Government of Canada: Finder Tool
Indigenous Services Canada has as Indigenous bursaries search tool. You can search for bursaries by keyword, location, program of study, or Indigenous group.
Indspire: Building Bright Futures
Since 1996, Indspire has provided over $217 million in financial support through more than 66,000 bursaries, scholarships and awards to First Nations, Inuit and Métis students.
- Grant Range: $750 to $2,500
- Location: Canada-wide
- Application Closing Date: August 1, 2024
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
Scholarships Canada: Finder Tool
This tool matches applicants to scholarships based on the information provided when applicants create an account.
Community and Economic Development
Capital Projects Grants
Capital Project Grants provides $5 million annually to not-for-profit organizations throughout BC, to support the completion of inclusive, accessible capital projects that meet community-identified needs and priorities.
- Grant Range: Up to $250,000
- Location: British Columbia
- Application Deadline: August 15, 2024
Indigenous Services Canada: Community Opportunity Readiness Program
The Community Opportunities Readiness Program (CORP) provides project-based funding for First Nation and Inuit Communities for a range of activities to support communities’ pursuit of economic opportunities. Where First Nation and Inuit communities, or their representative organizations, identify opportunities and lack the financial resources to pursue them, CORP will help them to submit proposals to seek additional funding.
- Grant Range: Up to $250,000
- 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.
- 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
Northern Development: Economic Infrastructure
The Economic Infrastructure program supports projects of regional and local significance that contribute to economic growth and stronger communities. These projects include renovations or new construction of public multi-use facilities or capital investments that drive revenue and job creation within the community.
- Grant Range: $100,000 to $300,000
- Location: Northern British Columbia
- 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
Telus: Indigenous Communities Fund
The TELUS Indigenous Communities Fund provides flexible grant funding to Indigenous-led programs supporting Indigenous Peoples in Canada across all provinces and territories. Funding is available for projects 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. Preference may be given to programs where technology is being used to advance reconciliation.
- Grant Range: Up to $50,000
- Location: Canada-wide
- Application Deadline: October 11, 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
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
Community Energy Diesel Reduction (CEDR): Community Energy Plans Stream
The CEDR Program will provide remote communities with access to three funding streams to support their progress through various stages of planning and implementation of their decarbonization projects. The foundation of the CEDR Program is the support to remote communities in the development, maintenance, and management of a Community Energy Plan.
- Grant Range: $40,000 to 95,000
- Location: British Columbia (Eligible Communities)
- Application Deadline: November 29, 2024
Community Energy Diesel Reduction (CEDR): Demand Side Management Stream
The Demand Side Management (DSM) stream will provide support to remote communities to undertake capital improvements and retrofits that upgrade premises such as residential and community buildings that results in improved energy efficiency and load management. The selection of DSM projects should be informed by the community needs and from recommendations from their CEPs.
- Grant Range: Up to $500,00
- Location: British Columbia (Eligible Communities)
- Application Deadline: November 29, 2024
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
TD Friends of the Environment: Foundation Grant
The Foundation supports a wide range of environmental initiatives, with a primary focus on environmental education and green space programs. Eligible projects include schoolyard greening, park revitalization, community gardens, park programming and citizen science initiatives.
- Grant Range: $2,000 to $8,000
- Location: British Columbia
- Application Deadline: August 7, 2024
Climate, Stewardship, and Conservation
Agricultural Clean Technology Program: Research and Innovation Stream
The Agricultural Clean Technology Program aims to create an enabling environment for the development and adoption of clean technology that will help drive the changes required to achieve a low-carbon economy and promote sustainable growth in Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector. Grant Range: $100,000 to $1,000,000
- Location: Canada-wide
- Application Deadline: Ongoing
BC Parks Foundation: Conservation Fund
The Fund supports people working together in conservation and recognizes and promotes First Nations leadership and governance or co-governance in conservation and stewardship.
- Grant Range: $100,000 to $250,000
- Location: British Columbia
- Application Deadline: September 30, 2024
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
Fortis BC: Indigenous Communities Conservation Program
The Fortis BC Indigenous Communities Conservation Program supports Indigenous communities looking to improve the energy efficiency and comfort in their community’s homes.
- Grant Range: $100,000 to $1,000,000
- Location: British Columbia
- Application Deadline: Ongoing
Green Municipal Fund: Local Leadership for Climate Adaptation
Green Municipal Fund’s Local Leadership for Climate Adaptation initiative provides funding and skills development support to local governments to adapt and build long-term resiliency to the impacts of climate change.
- Grant Range: $100,000 to $1,000 000
- Location: Canada-wide
- Application Deadline: August 14, 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
Government of Canada: Climate Change and Health Adaptation Program
The Climate Change and Health Adaptation Program funds the efforts of First Nations and Inuit communities to identify, assess and respond to the health impacts of climate change.
- Location: Canada-wide
- Application Deadline: September 20, 2024
Low Carbon Economy Fund: Indigenous Leadership Fund
The Indigenous Leadership Fund is a new program under the Low Carbon Economy Fund that provides funding for Indigenous-owned and led renewable energy, energy efficiency, and low-carbon heating projects. The program is delivered through four funding streams: First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and Designated. The First Nations and Designated funding streams are currently accepting Expression of Interest submissions.
- Grant Range: $100,000 to $1,000,000
- Location: Canada-wide
- Application Deadline: Ongoing
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
New Relationship Trust: Guardians and Stewardship Training Initiative
The First Nations Guardians and Stewardship Training Initiative offers grants to First Nation communities to support Guardians initiatives with funding for training, education, knowledge, and skills development to enhance local Guardians with capacity to manage, monitor, protect, conserve, restore, improve the stewardship of lands, waters, wildlife and other natural resources of their ancestral lands.
- Grant Range: $50,000 to $300,000
- Location: British Columbia
- Application Deadline: February 28, 2025
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.
Union of BC Municipalities: Community to Community Program
The Regional Community to Community (C2C) program continues to fund C2C forums and events. In addition, the program supports the advancement of First Nation/local government reconciliation and relationship building through the development of agreements (such as protocols, MOUs, and service agreements), joint plans and/or strategies, and the joint review of bylaws and/or policies.
- Grant Range: $10,000 to $20,000
- Location: British Columbia
- Application Deadline: September 6, 2024
Wah-ila-toos: Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities
The Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities program provides funding for 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
Know about a funding opportunity that isn’t on this list? Let us know at info@coastfunds.ca.
