Funding
BC Arts Council grants available, including their scholarship program.
Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages. Invitation for submissions: Innovation Projects that Support Indigenous Languages. On-going basis- no deadline. Each fiscal year, the Commission 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.
Connecting Communities BC. Closes March 14, 2024. The third intake of the Connecting Communities BC (CCBC) funding program opened for applications on Jan 8, 2024. Through CCBC, the Province aims to provide high-speed internet access to all remaining underserved households and First Nation communities by 2027. Eligible applicants include corporations, Indigenous entities, public sector bodies (or a partnership thereof) that builds, owns, and operates broadband infrastructure; or contracts with an entity identified above to design, build, own, and operate broadband infrastructure. Program funding will support expansion of high-speed internet to households in specific areas that currently do not have access to internet speeds of at least 50 Megabits per second (Mbps) download speed and 10 Mbps upload speed. This intake targets northern and coastal areas of the province, including some of the hardest to reach parts that do not have any projects underway, and First Nations’-led or supported projects anywhere in the province.
First Peoples’ Cultural Council. Heritage Program Grants.
- Braided Knowledge. Closes March 15, 2024. This grant supports work where arts, languages, cultures and heritage are connected and aligned with Indigenous ways of knowing and being. All projects must have a mentorship component. Mentorship ensures that cultural knowledge and practical skills are passed from expert knowledge holders, fluent speakers and artists. Applicants can apply for between $10,000 and $25,000 for their proposed project.
- Heritage Stewardship Program. Closes March 22, 2024. This program provides heritage funding to First Nations organizations in B.C. to address climate change, safeguard cultural sites, digitize cultural resources and record oral histories. This program offers four funding streams combining existing and new grants, including Sense of Place, Climate Change, Oral Histories and Protocols, and Digitization and Archiving into four priority areas. Applicants can apply for up to three streams of heritage funding in one application, with a maximum of $25,000 for each stream.
- Heritage Infrastructure Program. Closes April, 5 2024. The goal of this program is to assist B.C. First Nations communities to safeguard, revitalize and celebrate their heritage through heritage infrastructure projects. Projects include the conservation of structures, heritage sites, landscapes, buildings and trails that support public and community access to heritage resources. They also include historical and cultural places, archives and heritage collections that are of collective value to an Indigenous community. $100,000 to $250,000 in funding is available for First Nations organizations in B.C. with a focus that includes Indigenous heritage.
Oshki Wupoowane| The Blanket Fund. Closes March 15, 2024. Applications are accepted on a quarterly basis. Oshki Wupoowane launched on September 30, with an initial $1 million investment from Hudson’s Bay Foundation and a commitment to direct 100% of net proceeds from the sale of all HBC Point Blankets to The Blanket Fund moving forward. Since then, The Blanket Fund has grown to more than $1.5 million, which will be disbursed to successful applicants over multiple years.
- Capacity Building stream will support grassroots Indigenous charities, programs, communities, and initiatives (artists and makers) with the potential for significant impact. This grant stream commits to multi-year relationships which increase the capacity, networks, programs, and profile of the partners selected. Grants will be awarded on a case-by-case ‘needs’ assessment. There will be no minimum dollar amount, but a ceiling of $175,000 per organization annually, for a maximum of four (4) years. Additional pro-bono services will be identified where possible in partnership with the applicant, and DWF will provide recommendations to augment the capacity building through the grant with the pro-bono services.
- The Reconciliation Action grant stream stream will support reconciliation activities, events, and initiatives in communities that contribute to cultural revitalization, elevate Indigenous culture, languages, and traditions, increase understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, or other grassroots initiatives that move reconciliation forward. Grants amounts between $1,500 and $15,000 are available.
Disaster Risk Reduction-Climate Adaptation. Closes March 28, 2024. The intent of the DRR-CA funding stream is to support eligible applicants to reduce disaster risks from natural hazards and climate-related events. The DRR-CA funding stream can contribute 100% of the cost of eligible activities to a maximum of: Category 1 (Foundational Activities): $150,000 per applicant, Category 2 (Non-Structural Activities): $150,000 per applicant, Category 3 (Small Scale Structural Activities): $5 million. All First Nations (bands and Treaty First Nations) and local governments (municipalities and regional districts) in BC are eligible to apply.
Indigenous Communities Fund (Telus). Closes March 29, 2024. We provide flexible grants to Indigenous organizations, not-for-profits and community groups. Grants are available up to $50,000 and are to support Indigenous-led initiatives that support tangible positive outcomes. Funding is available for projects focused on, but not limited to: Health, mental health and well-being, Access to education and resources, Community building and enhancement, Language and cultural revitalization, Inter-community sharing of cultural stories.
Anti-Hate Community Support Fund. Closes March 31, 2024. This fund is to support identifiable groups in B.C. who have experienced, or who are at risk of experiencing, hate-motivated crimes, or incidents. The fund is intended to support organizations, such as places of worship or cultural community centres, that have sustained damages to their site(s) or are seeking to enhance security measures in and around their site(s). A maximum of $10,000 is available per grant application.
Canadian Agriculture HR Council- Partnership for Indigenous Training Initiatives. Closes March 31, 2024. The funding must deliver training programs relevant to the agriculture industry. Partners must have existing training programs that may need some refinement, but must be ready for delivery to ensure participants have the opportunity to complete the training program by March 31, 2024. CAHRC will request an in-kind contribution of 10% of the total budget received for this project.
Indigenous Tourism Fund- Micro and Small Business Stream. (Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the funds are exhausted. All funds will be spent by March 31, 2025. This funding program recognizes market readiness standards set by The Original Accreditation Program, taking into account factors such as resource availability, cash flow, and market dynamics. Its primary objective is to provide support to Indigenous tourism operators, offering funding of up to $25,000 per business to enhance their operations across six crucial categories: Effective Community Engagement and Support, Excellence in Visitor Experience, Ensuring Health, Safety, and Comfort, Practicing Sustainable Indigenous Tourism, Excellence in Marketing and Visitor Services, Demonstrating Business Acumen/Practices.
BC Arts Council Grant Programs. 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.
- Arts Impact Grant. Closes April 2, 2024. These grants are responsive and flexible funding for arts and culture organizations and collectives. The intention of the program is to allow applicants to prioritize a specific project or group of related activities that will provide the most meaningful impact to their organization, artistic practice, or to their community. Maximum request amount is $30,000.
- Professional Development. Closes April 12, 2024. Grants assist professional artists, cultural practitioners, production and technical personnel, and arts administrators with specific, short-term learning activities intended to advance their practice or career. Maximum request is $7,500.
- Scholarship Program. Closes April 30, 2024. This program supports education and training of B.C.’s future generation of artists, arts administrators, and arts and cultural practitioners. B.C. residents enrolled in full-time post-secondary art programs or high school half-day pre-professional dance programs are welcome to apply. Students should be committed to developing their independent artistic and creative practice towards a career in the arts and culture sector. Scholarship payments of $3,000 are made for each term of full-time study during either Summer 2024, Fall 2024 or Spring 2025, up to a maximum of $6,000. Enrolment status is defined by your school.
Heritage Legacy Fund. (Heritage BC) Closes April 26, 2024. Program funds are used for community initiatives that conserve and increase the understanding and appreciation of heritage resources. Heritage resources may include existing heritage buildings, structures, sites, cemeteries, districts, cultural landscapes, or intangible heritage such as language and customs. The Fund will also support Indigenous Partnership projects. There are four funding streams: Heritage Conservation for the preservation, rehabilitation, and restoration of heritage resources. Contributions up to $50,000. Heritage Awareness for the research, documentation, presentation, and publication of information about heritage and heritage resources. Contributions up to $10,000. Heritage Planning for the creation of planning documents to assist with heritage conservation and awareness. Contributions up to $5,000. And Indigenous Partnerships for initiatives to further reconciliation with Indigenous peoples through collaboration. Contributions up to $7,500.
2 Billion Trees. May 16, 2024. The 2 Billion Trees (2BT) program has launched an ongoing call for proposals – applications can be submitted anytime. Tree Planting Stream: for organizations, including for-profit organizations and non-profit organizations interested in tree planting projects. Indigenous Funding Stream: for Indigenous governments/ communities/ organizations interested in tree planting and/or capacity building projects. Capacity Building Stream: for non-profit organizations seeking to focus on activities that build and transfer knowledge, expertise and experience related to planting and managing trees and forests. The program will prioritize projects that demonstrate that the funded activities will directly support future 2BT planting activities.
Indigenous Labour Market Fund. Closes December 1, 2024. This fund will support Indigenous communities in building capacity in gathering foundational data used to identify gaps, opportunities, and strategies for future employment training, recruitment, placements, retention, and long-term employment to increase the participation of Indigenous peoples in sectors relevant to each indigenous community or region. Three funding streams are available: Labour Market Study stream with grants up to $150,000; Cultural Recognition Support stream with grants up to $250,000 and the Job Fairs stream with grants up to $75,000. Applicants can apply to any one of the 3 streams of funding but can only receive funding one funding stream (i.e. project) at a time.
Poverty Reduction and Social Inclusion Fund. Closes when funds are fully committed. Funding up to $100,000 per year, over two years is available for Indigenous-led non-profits to support immediate work in enhancing poverty reduction and social inclusion initiatives. The objectives of the PRF are: Provide funding to support or offset costs of Indigenous organizations working toward one or more of the 6 priority action areas as identified in the Province of B.C.’s Poverty Reduction Strategy including: Housing, Family, Children, Youth, Education, Employment, Income Supports, Social Supports; and to Reduce barriers, provide for cultural accommodation and flexibility for Indigenous led non-profits to access immediate funding to supplement their financial and service capacity in delivering poverty reduction and social inclusion initiatives.
Climate Disaster Response Fund. (Heritage BC) Applications Processed on first come, first served basis. is a one-time grant opportunity that will provide limited resources to heritage-focused organizations with resources damaged by recent climate and natural disasters in British Columbia. The total allocation of funds is $75,000 with a maximum award of $8,000. Heritage BC reserves the right to manage each request internally. All projects must indicate immediacy and urgency of the issues, an approximate timeline for scope of work, and a feasible project within the framework of this grant.
BC Tourism Climate Resiliency Initiative. First come, first served basis. This program provides free, tailored support to tourism businesses in BC that are looking to incorporate environmental sustainability or climate adaptation measures into their operations. An experienced program advisor and supporting experts from Destination BC’s extensive network will work with organizations to develop a sustainability and climate adaptation road map and perform detailed assessments to identify the most impactful, customized measures for climate resiliency.
The Ministry of Post-Secondary Education & Future Skills (PSFS) provides funding through the Indigenous Skills Training and Education program (ISTE) to First Nations, Métis Nation BC and the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres, to support their self-determined educational and labour market needs and priorities. Through community-based programming, Indigenous peoples and communities have increased access to culturally-relevant skills training and post-secondary education, leading to labour market participation, employment, further education and training, community revitalization, and socioeconomic well-being. Please contact PSFS staff by email ([email protected]) to obtain more information on criteria and how to apply.
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
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. unding 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. The Canada Cultural Spaces Fund (CCSF) supports the improvement of physical conditions for arts, heritage, culture and creative innovation. The Fund supports renovation and construction projects, the acquisition of specialized equipment and feasibility studies related to cultural spaces. The CCSF annual grants and contributions budget is $54 million for the period 2018-2028.
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.