Funding

British Columbia History Digitization Program (BCHDP).

In October 2026, the BCHDP will be accepting applications for the 2027-2028 funding year. Applicants can receive up to $15,000 of matching funds for their projects. BCHDP welcomes applications from private or public institutions and agencies that have the preservation and access of historical British Columbia materials as part of their mandate. In an effort to bolster BCHDP’s commitment to building capacity and supporting community-based organizations in the preservation and digitization of unique British Columbia content, in this upcoming funding cycle, the program will prioritize applications that are led by community-based organizations.

TELUS Indigenous Communities Fund.

Closes October 7, 2025. This program offers $5,000 – $25,000 grants for Indigenous-led social, health and community programs. Together, we can make the future friendly by supporting Indigenous leaders and community groups who know their communities best. 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, Intergenerational language and cultural revitalization. Preference may be given to programs where technology is being used to advance reconciliation.

BC Arts Council Programs

• Operating Assistance: Museums and Indigenous Cultural Centres. Closes October 8, 2026. This program provides funding to assist the general operations of established museums and Indigenous cultural centres that sustain an annual artistic or cultural history program encompassing exhibitions, creation, presentation, collections, dissemination, and public program activities. Minimum grant amount $20,000.
• Individual Arts Grants: Creative Writers. Closes October 8, 2026. This program supports B.C.-based writers and literary artists in the creation of new literary projects for book-length publication or public performance. Eligible genres include non-fiction, fiction, graphic novels, comic arts, fiction and non-fiction for children, poetry, spoken word, dub and sound poetry, and storytelling. Grants up to $15,000.
• Operating Assistance: Literary Arts. Closes October 8, 2026. Literary Arts provides funding to support the general operations of established non-profit organizations in B.C. that provide an annual artistic or editorial program encompassing artistic expression or social, cultural, or intellectual commentary or inquiry through: regular publication of an arts periodical in print or digital form; presentation, programming, or development of writing-based arts and artists. Minimum grant amount $20,000.
• Operating Assistance: Professional Arts Training Organizations. Closes October 8, 2026. This program provides funding to assist the general operations of established professional, non-profit arts training organizations in B.C. that provide comprehensive programs of specialized training for professional artists and cultural workers, or for those who are committed to pursuing professional careers in the arts. Minimum grant amount $20,000.
• Operating Assistance: Arts & Cultural Service Organizations. Closes October 8, 2026. This program provides funding to assist the general operations of established professional non-profit arts and cultural organizations that provide quality services to an established membership base and demonstrate ongoing local, regional, provincial or national activity with provincial impact. Minimum grant amount $20,000.
• Operating Assistance: Community Arts Organizations. Closes October 8, 2026. This program provides funding to assist the general operations of established community-based non-profit arts organizations working in community engaged arts through a range of artistic and cultural programming. The program is intended for organizations that sustain an annual community-based artistic program encompassing creation activities, organizational / artistic / cultural development, production, dissemination, exhibition and public presentation. Minimum Basic Assistance grant amount: $10,000 Local Matching Funds: up to $5,000 Capacity and Development: up to $10,000.
• Operating Assistance: Professional Arts Festivals. Closes October 8, 2026. This program provides funding to assist the general operations of established professional non-profit arts and culture organizations that produce a major festival, present and feature professional artists, and have a clear unifying theme or vision. Minimum grant amount $20,000.
• Operating Assistance: Visual Arts and Media Arts Organizations. Closes October 8, 2026. This program provides funding to assist the general operations of established professional non-profit arts and cultural organizations working in visual arts or media arts. Funding is intended for organizations that sustain an annual artistic and curatorial program encompassing creation, development, presentation, collections, production, distribution, or dissemination activities. Minimum grant amount $20,000.
• Operating Assistance: Performing Arts Organizations. Closes October 8, 2026. This program provides funding to assist the general operations of established non-profit arts and culture organizations working in professional dance, music, theatre, multidisciplinary, or other performing arts practices such as circus arts and comedy. The program is intended for organizations that sustain an annual artistic program encompassing creation, development, production, and public presentation. Minimum grant amount $20,000.
• Accelerate Program. Closes October 8, 2026. This is a two-year initiative to improve access and reduce barriers to funding for equity deserving and regional arts and culture organizations and collectives. Funding is intended to offer stability while being flexible in supporting a range of expenses including, but not limited to: General operating costs, Organizational development, Capacity building, Programming costs. Maximum grant amount: $30,000 per year for two years.
• Project Assistance: Museums and Indigenous Cultural Centres. Closes October 14, 2026. This program supports eligible museums, Indigenous cultural centres and arts or curatorial collectives with the development and creation of artistic or cultural history programming and community engagement initiatives. Examples of eligible projects include exhibition development, documentation and dissemination projects, artists’ residencies, exploration of new museological and curatorial practices, community engagement projects, public programs, and collections management projects. Maximum grant amount: $25,000.
• Project Assistance: Community Arts Organizations. Closes October 14, 2026. This program supports the development of community-based arts through the creation or presentation of public programming initiatives that provide engagement between artists, participants, and communities, and reduces or eliminates barriers to public participation in the arts. Maximum grant amount: $25,000.
• Project Assistance: Media Arts Organizations. Closes October 14, 2026. This program supports eligible organizations and arts or curatorial collectives in the development, expansion, enhancement, or creation of new or unique independent media arts works, programming and community engagement initiatives. Projects and works must be independent of commercial industries for film, video, and gaming. Maximum grant amount: $25,000.
• Project Assistance: Visual Arts Organizations. Closes October 14, 2026. This program supports organizations and arts or curatorial collectives in the development, expansion, enhancement, or creation of new or unique public programming and community engagement initiatives in contemporary and traditional visual arts and craft. Maximum grant amount: $25,000.
• Arts Infrastructure Program. Closes November 12, 2026. This program enables eligible organizations to develop and enhance spaces that support the work of B.C.’s arts and culture practitioners. The program aims to support projects that: catalyze the development of new or existing arts and cultural spaces through acquisition, renovation, or purchase of specialized equipment; Improve physical accessibility to arts and cultural spaces; Enhance access to arts and cultural spaces for underserved communities and underrepresented arts and culture practices; or Strengthen the capacity of the sector to develop, operate, and sustain arts and cultural spaces. Maximum grant amounts:  Category 1: Planning & Consultation – $25,000, Category 2: Capital Improvements – $250,000 Category 3: Specialized Equipment Acquisition – $40,000.
• Indigenous Arts Program Pilot: Individuals, Groups and Collaborations. Closes November 12, 2026. This program supports First Nations, Inuit, and Métis artists, cultural practitioners, Knowledge Keepers, Knowledge Holders, and Culture Carriers in British Columbia. The program supports a range of Indigenous artistic and cultural practices including traditional, contemporary, interdisciplinary, experimental, and community-engaged work. Grant amounts:  Microgrants:   up to $5,000 Mid-scale grants:  $5,001 to $15,000 Large-scale grants:  $15,001 to $25,000.
• Indigenous Arts Program Pilot: Indigenous-Led Organizations and Collectives. Closes November 12, 2026. This program supports Indigenous organizations and Indigenous collectives in British Columbia that are leading artistic and cultural activities in their communities. The program supports a range of Indigenous artistic and cultural practices including traditional, contemporary, interdisciplinary, experimental, and community-engaged work.  Grant amounts:  Microgrants:   up to $5,000 Mid-scale grants:  $5,001 to $15,000 Large-scale grants:  $15,001 to $25,000.
• BC Arts Council. The BC Arts Council has MANY programs with intakes throughout the year. Please visit their website for information for all opportunities: https://www.bcartscouncil.ca/program.

Participatory Action Research Grant. Vancouver Foundation.

Closes October 13, 2026. This funding supports health-related research projects that use a participatory action research (PAR) method. PAR projects are co‑designed and co‑led by community members and researchers to understand the root causes of pressing issues that negatively affect people’s physical or mental health, or clearly defined community‑level health outcomes. For this program, PAR projects must focus on a specific health issue or outcome and clearly describe how it affects people’s health, explaining the direct link between the issue and its impact on health and well-being. We offer two grant streams to reflect the various stages of participatory action research: Convene and Investigate. Convene grants are short‑term grants (up to $25,000 for up to one year) that help teams come together to unpack a clearly defined health issue or health outcome. Investigate grants are multi-year grants (up to $100,000 per year over three years, for a total of up to $300,000) that help teams answer a research question, analyze their findings, and share knowledge in a way that supports the community and others to take action on a health issue.  

Heritage Conservation Grants.

October 14, 2026. The Heritage Conservation Grants program provides funding opportunities through two categories of heritage conservation grants: Planning Project Grants and Conservation Project Grants. The grants can support owners or stewards in the care of their historic site with financial assistance and professional guidance, helping to achieve a high standard of heritage conservation to sustain heritage places and the many benefits they offer for communities.

First Peoples’ Cultural Council

• Mentor-Apprentice Program. Closes October 15, 2026. MAP is a one-on-one language immersion program for people to become fluent speakers by bringing their language into their daily lives in the home and on the land and waters. MAP is for B.C. First Nations individuals learning one of the 36 First Nations languages in B.C. You do not need to be living in your community (on reserve) to be eligible to participate, but you must be living in B.C. The Mentor-Apprentice Program has two streams. MAP is for language learners, ages 16–50, who want to actively pass on the language to others, often through a career as a language educator. MAP is intended as a 3-year program, completing 300 hours of immersion learning per year (Up to $21,000 available). MAP Connections (MAPC) is for language learners, ages 16 and up, who want to strengthen their connection to their language and who want greater flexibility and minimal reporting requirements. Participants complete 100 hours of language immersion with a fluent speaker at a flexible pace (Up to $6,100 available). Information session will be held on September 3, 2026.

• Youth Empowered Speakers Program. Closes October 15, 2026. The YES program provides training and paid work internships to pursue your career in addition to Mentor-Apprentice language immersion learning. The program also includes a paid internship at a B.C. First Nations organization. The program has three streams to choose from: Stream 1: Early Childhood Immersion Educator for ECE students. Stream 2: Language Immersion Teacher for BEd. students. Stream 3: Community Language Revitalizationist for post-secondary students to develop their language proficiency while gaining skills for a variety of community-based career options in language revitalization. Information session will be held on September 7, 2026.

• Language Vitality Program. Closes November 19, 2026. The Language Vitality Program recognizes the diversity of First Nations languages and acknowledges that every First Nations community will design and implement individual programs according to their unique needs and goals. Funding is offered for project-based and plan implementation applications through four different funding categories:

• Rise Funding change to: Rise Project Funding (up to $75,000 – April 1, 2027 – March 31, 2028): funding is offered for a single year. This funding is suitable for smaller teams that are just getting started on their language revitalization journey and have just one or two project areas, or for smaller teams.
• Roots Funding change to: Roots Project Funding (up to $150,000 per year for up to 2 years – April 1, 2027 – March 31, 2029): Roots funding is offered for up to two years and can include multiple strategies. This funding is suitable for smaller teams that have experience working on language revitalization and are starting to expand into new areas. 
• Grow Funding change to: Grow Project Funding (up to $300,000 per year for up to 2 years – April 1, 2027 – March 31, 2029): Grow funding is offered for up to two years and may include multiple strategies.  Grow applications must include strategic long-term language revitalization planning strategies.  This funding is suitable for groups that have begun or are about to begin the process of developing a strategic language plan with their community. 
• Flourish Funding: Change to Flourish Plan Implementation Funding (up to $600,000 per year for 3 years – April 1, 2027 – March 31, 2030):  Flourish funding is offered for three years and includes a minimum of three strategies. This funding is suitable for well-established teams that have an approved long term strategic language revitalization plan in place and are actively implementing multiple language revitalization strategies across domains in the community.    

Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP).

Closes November 20, 2026. For fiscal year (FY) 2026-27, REDIP has been updated to focus on key provincial priority sectors and support the most critical, shovel-ready infrastructure development opportunities in rural communities. The program team strongly recommends that all prospective applicants meet with program staff or a member of the Regional Economic Operations Branch to discuss their project prior to submitting an application. REDIP has three unique funding categories. Each category targets different project types and communities: Development, Implementation and Community Transition.

Creative BC.

• Project Development Fund. Evaluated on a first-come, first-served basis until the budget for the fiscal year has been fully committed (ending March 31, 2027). This fund enables B.C.-owned and controlled production companies to build on development commitments secured from broadcasters, distributors and funding agencies. The fund encourages support for existing and emerging domestic companies and provides financing in the form of non-recoupable advances for feature film script development, dramatic or animated TV projects, or documentaries.
• Domestic Industry Initiatives. Rolling application period with a closing date of March 1, 2027. Thisprogram provides funding to eligible organizations delivering strategic projects with long-term impacts that foster and encourage industry development. The program will fund activities and related expenses incurred between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027. Applicant organizations applying must have a primary focus in one or more of the following sectors: Motion picture, Interactive digital media or Magazine or book publishing.

Build Communities Strong Fund – Local Impact Stream in British Columbia.

Apply as soon as possible. Applications will be assessed as they are received and funding decisions made on an ongoing basis. Priority will be given to shovel-ready projects. Eligible projects for the Local Impact Stream will involve building or improving community infrastructure that is accessible to the public (i.e., access is not primarily limited to paid membership) and has economic, social and/or environmental benefits for the broader community or region. Contributions under the BCSF Local Impact Stream will normally be $125,000 to $1 million per project.

Community Gaming Grants: Human and Social Services.

Closes November 30, 2026. Organizations within this sector deliver programs that improve the quality of life in a community by supporting the wellbeing of children, youth, families and/or seniors; by addressing equality issues (e.g., gender, LGBTQ2S+, race, etc.); by addressing the unmet needs of under-served groups; or, by providing public outreach and education regarding important social issues. Grants are awarded based on the demonstrated size and scope of an organization’s program delivery and overall community benefit. Up to $125,000 for local organizations and up to $250,000 for regional/provincial organizations. Please note that federal, provincial, regional, municipal, First Nation or other local governments are not eligible for community gaming grants.

Indigenous Screen Office. Travel Program.

Until program funds are depleted or March 1, 2027.

Wildfire Relief Bundle.

The Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund is providing emergency funding to First Nations affected by wildfires and Indigenous-led organizations already offering frontline support to evacuated First Nation members. Apply for up to $30,000. IPRF has $1 million available for wildfire relief. We know this is only a small part of what communities need. Please ask for what you need most urgently so that we can support as many of our relatives as possible during this difficult time. All funding must go directly toward immediate community relief and support. Funding cannot be used for administration.

Continuing Their Journey Program.

Open Now. This program supports First Nations communities and Survivors as they continue to address the ongoing harms caused by the Indian Residential School System. Funding is offered through rolling deadlines, providing several opportunities each year for communities and Survivor groups to apply. The maximum funding amount is $200,000 for a one-year project, depending on project scope and fund availability.

Student Work Placement Program (Culture Works Canada).

This program supports partnerships between arts and culture employers and post-secondary education (PSE) institutions to create paid quality work-integrated learning (WIL) opportunities for students so that they can develop the work-ready skills that are required to secure meaningful employment upon graduation. SWPP reimburses eligible employers up to 50% of the student’s wages (maximum wage subsidy: $5,000 per placement). Culture Works Canada is now offering online drop-in information sessions for the Student Work Placement program every weekday, Monday to Friday, from 1pm to 1:30pm EDT.

First Nations Housing & Infrastructure Council.

Ongoing until funds are fully spent. Two streams are open now. Reaching Home Capital Projects supports capital projects that prevent or reduce homelessness, with a focus on transitional and supportive housing. Urban, Rural and Northern Capital Project Funding supports First Nations in developing and improving long-term housing supply in urban, rural, and northern areas.

Disaster Resilience and Innovation Funding program.

This program provides funding to First Nations and local governments in B.C. to enhance their capacity to withstand and adapt to natural and climate-driven hazards. First Nations and local governments who have the authority and ownership to develop, implement, maintain, and operate the proposed project can submit an Expression of Interest.

First Nations Equity Financing Program.

This program provides provincial loan guarantees that support First Nations to secure equity ownership in new and incremental revenue-generating projects within their traditional territories. By improving access to capital, the program supports First Nations ownership in projects, strengthens participation in project governance, advances long-term economic benefits for participating First Nations, and supports economic growth and prosperity in British Columbia. Loan guarantees are provided in two project categories: Small and medium projects with a minimum total capital cost of $25 million and maximum total capital cost of up to $125 million and Large projects with total capital costs over $125 million.

Canada Council for the Arts Funding. Creating, Knowing, Sharing: The Arts and Cultures of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples.

See Grants and Deadlines: https://canadacouncil.ca/funding/grants/deadlines

Community Economic Development and Diversification in British Columbia.

Accepting applications on an on-going basis. This program supports projects that: attract investment and talent, increase productivity and economic growth, grow new, existing and transitioning sectors, increase the economic participation of British Columbians and respond to changing economic circumstances. Funding varies by project. Typically up to 50% of eligible project costs; in exceptional circumstances, PacifiCan may fund a higher proportion of a project’s costs.

RBC Community Investments.

Applications accepted year-round.  Funding aims to support impactful initiatives across Canada, and value community investment partnerships built on trust and shared commitments. Recognizing that communities and/or projects need support for different purposes at different times, the approach to funding considers ideas and actions at four distinct stages: Seed, Scale, Sustain, Build. Up to $500,000 available per year.

Legacy Fund- Building Communities through Arts and Heritage. (Federal Government).

Applications accepted on continuous basis. This Department of Canadian Heritage Program provides funding for community-initiated capital projects, intended for community use. Recipients may receive up to 50 per cent of eligible project expenses up to a maximum of $500,000. Funding supports community-initiated capital projects that: commemorate a significant local historical event or pay tribute to a significant local historical personality; mark a 100th anniversary or greater, in increments of 25 years (e.g., 125th, 150th); involve the restoration, renovation, or transformation of existing buildings or exterior spaces with local community significance that are intended for community use; encourage arts and heritage activities in the local community that are intended for and accessible to the general public.

Canada Cultural Spaces Fund.(Federal Government). 

No deadline- on-going. (Please note changes to this funding program- construction projects will no longer be accepted. However, exceptional circumstances may apply). This program supports the improvement of physical conditions for arts, heritage, culture and creative innovation. The program supports renovation projects, the acquisition of specialized equipment, and planning, design and feasibility studies related to arts and heritage cultural spaces.

Community Development Programs. 

Northern Development offers a range of funding programs suited to a diverse set of economic development priorities in central and northern British Columbia, including the Cultural Infrastructure program which supports creation of, or the improvement of, arts, heritage, culture and creative innovation spaces. There are three annual intakes with deadlines of January 31, April 30 and July 31.

National Creation Fund.

No Deadline. The National Arts Centre’s National Creation Fund invests up to $3 million a year in the development of 15 to 20 compelling and ambitious new Canadian works in theatre, dance, music and inter-disciplinary performing arts. Fuelled entirely by donors, the Fund provides Canadian artists with the additional time, space and resources they need to create great work. The Fund invests in both new work, and in promising productions that need additional development after their initial run to produce stronger, more polished work that will be remounted and toured across Canada and around the world.

 Movable Cultural Property Grants. (Federal Government).

 No Deadline. Movable Cultural Property Grants help designated organizations acquire cultural property of outstanding significance and national importance to Canada, as outlined in the Cultural Property Export and Import Act. Designated organizations are located in Canada and demonstrate the ability to ensure the long-term preservation of cultural property. Grants can be used to purchase cultural property: for which an export permit has been denied; or that is important to Canada’s national heritage and available for purchase outside the country.

The Going Home Fund. 

This fund facilitates the return or long-term loan of culturally significant materials to Indigenous cultural entities worldwide. The application form is for use by Indigenous communities seeking support. Eligible expenses include insurance, packaging, shipping, and other costs associated with the return. You may request funding for the return of multiple items from the same institution. The Going Home Fund Advisory Council meets on or around the 15th day of each month to review requests and make awards.

Innovation Projects that Support Indigenous Languages.

Each fiscal year, the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages will invest in a limited number of innovation projects, subject to available budget. These projects will create something new in the Indigenous languages space, and/or significantly improve upon initiatives that already exist, in order to effect real change. As stated in the Commission’s mandate, these innovative projects must be specific to Indigenous languages education and revitalization. There are no deadlines for submission, and the Commission invites project submissions on an ongoing basis. Please note that, as outlined in the Indigenous Languages Act, the Commission is not a funding agency, and is not able to fund Indigenous language programming nor the infrastructure, or capital/operational costs of running an Indigenous language program.

Local Festivals — Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage.

Provides funding to local groups for recurring festivals that present the work of local artists, local artisans, local heritage performers or specialists, and local First Nations, Inuit and Métis cultural carriers. This includes the celebration of 2SLGBTQI+ communities and Indigenous cultural celebrations. Applicants may request up to 100% of eligible expenses up to a maximum of $200,000 for festivals that meet all funding requirements. Application deadlines: January 31 — for festivals starting between September 1 and December 31 of the same calendar year. April 30 — for festivals starting between January 1 and June 30 of the next calendar year. October 15 — for festivals starting between July 1 and August 31 of the next calendar year.