Funding Opportunities from Coast to Coast to Coast

Eligible projects for addressing urgent community needs and building long-term resilience include providing training and financial support for emergency health care, transportation services, and community safety initiatives. Additionally, projects may focus on sustainable food security and sovereignty, overcoming technological barriers for connectivity, innovation in employment and experiential learning, ensuring access to mental and cultural wellness supports, implementing innovative techniques for Elders and Healers, filling funding gaps for specific programs, and providing operating funds for Indigenous-led organizations to ensure sustainability of community-level support. These projects should aim to address immediate needs while fostering resilience for the future.

To  fund a series of projects offering free or low-cost training. This training will help workers upgrade or gain new skills for jobs in the low-carbon economy.                                                

Projects must focus on 1 of the following 3 priorities:

• Low-carbon energy and carbon management
• Green buildings and retrofits
• Electric vehicle maintenance and charging infastructure

The Sustainable Communities program funds or co-funds a wide range of projects and programs to support action on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The goal of these initiatives is to inform and inspire leadership on energy efficiency, energy literacy, and low carbon electrification.

BC supports Indigenous bioeconomy growth in line with the CCFM Forest Bioeconomy Framework by:

• Fostering bioeconomy growth through innovation and partnerships.
• Creating economic opportunities for Indigenous and rural communities in the forest sector.
• Backing Indigenous Peoples' economic development in natural resources while honoring their interests and promoting self-determination.
• The Indigenous Forest Bioeconomy Program (IFBP) aids Indigenous engagement in BC's forest sector, aligning with CCFM objectives. Through project support and partnerships across BC, the IFBP seeks economic, social, and environmental benefits. Projects cover bioproducts, fibre logistics, and biomass analysis, guided by the Indigenous Forest Bioeconomy Framework developed with input from First Nations and Indigenous organizations in BC.                                                                                  
• Funding Note: Generally, funding becomes available in the summer (July-August), and then all components of an approved project must be completed by March 15

• Environment: Encourage environmental stewardship and sustainable development through education, awareness, training programs, research and other conservation initiatives surrounding the communities where we operate.          
• Community: Contribute to the economic vitality and quality of life of our host communities by supporting initiatives that promote their sustainability and liveability.
• Reducing inequalities: Encourage initiatives aimed at addressing gender equality and other forms of inequality experienced by certain population groups within our host communities.

Increased attention is given to all projects that support Indigenous communities. Requests less than C$100,000 are assessed according to focus areas and identified outcomes. A decision will be communicated within six to eight weeks of the application date.Requests of C$100,000 and above are assessed according to focus areas and identified outcomes and will be presented to the Fund’s board of directors for review. The Board meets on a bi-annual basis, after which a final decision will be communicated to the organisation.                  

• Funding Note: Requests above $100,000 are dependant on board approval and are reviewed bi-annually.

Support may be considered in the following areas:

• Arts & Culture, Civics
• Environment
• Health & Wellness
• Industry, Military
• Sports & Recreation
• Safety,
• Youth & Education

Potential to award funds over $10,000.

CMHC's Seed Funding program provides financial support for individuals or organizations involved in the initial phases of creating an affordable housing project. You can apply for up to $350,000 in interest-free loans and a maximum of $150,000 of non-repayable contributions to assist with early development expenses. These expenses can include things like the formulation of a business plan, creation of preliminary design concepts and conducting environmental site assessments.

Local Projects Objectives:

• Promote housing initiatives for Indigenous communities
• Leverage existing fundsSupport the sector in reducing its environmental footprint
• Develop tools that are accessible to all
• Support sector consolidation and partnerships of all kinds
• Reinforce organizational capacityEnhance the sector’s adaptive capacityIdentify and address sectoral gaps in the provision of housing services
• Mobilize communities                                                                                                                          

Sectoral Impact Projects Objectives:

• Promote housing initiatives in Indigenous communities
• Leverage existing fundsEngage the sector in reducing its environmental footprint
• Develop tools that are accessible to allSupport sector consolidation and partnerships of all kinds
• Build organizational capacityEnhance the sector’s adaptive capacityIdentify and address sectoral gaps in housing service provision
• Mobilize the community                                                                                                              

Funding Note:  Proposals are evaluated according to two categories: projects up to and under $50,000 and projects over $50,000.

Applications to the Sector Transformation Fund: Local Projects are limited to $150,000. Please inquire about multiple intake dates.

Funding for major repairs, emergency repairs and adaptations to improve the health and safety of on-reserve housing. The On-Reserve Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program is a streamlined initiative improving support for First Nations' repairs and adaptations. It consolidates previous on-reserve repairs and adaptations programs, excluding the Shelter Enhancement Program – Renovation Stream, to simplify funding access and offer flexibility in housing management.

Enhanced Funding:

• If your property is located on-reserve in northern or remote areas or if the project includes accessibility work for Persons with Disabilities or minor adaptations for Seniors, the maximum funding amount may be increased by 25%.

Contribution-Based Funding:

• The financial support is provided in the form of a contribution. This means that the funds do not need to be repaid.

The program aims to support a regional innovation ecosystem to address specific challenges or opportunities related to business growth and productivity. Key focuses include technology commercialization, business scale-up, productivity improvement, ecosystem capacity building, and business acceleration and incubation. Priority areas for support include cluster growth in sectors like clean technology, life sciences, and digital technology, as well as inclusiveness for under-represented groups such as Indigenous Peoples, women, and youth. Activities may involve enhancing innovation efforts, scaling up businesses, improving productivity, building strategic alliances, and providing support for entrepreneurs to start and grow their companies.

To support First Nation communities by providing financial assistance to build affordable rental housing on-reserve. Apply for subsidies and loans to help construct, purchase and rehabilitate, as well as manage non-profit housing in your community.

Funding for the proposal stage of your on-reserve housing project. Writing a proposal is one of the first steps of any housing project. First Nation communities can apply for funding to help them develop the proposal needed to enter our Non-Profit Housing Program. This is an Interest-free, repayable loan. You may also qualify for additional funding depending on the size of your project.

The program focuses on advancing Indigenous-designed approaches to community safety and well-being, in collaboration with Indigenous partners and federal agencies. Eligible activities include engagement with Indigenous organizations to identify needs, promoting physical and mental safety, improving community well-being, reflecting Indigenous culture and language, supporting specific demographics, conducting studies and evaluations, facilitating self-determination and governance, fostering innovative partnerships, piloting projects, capacity building, and supporting volunteer recruitment and screening. Activities should aim to develop culturally appropriate services and programs to address community safety and well-being.

The Project Development Fund (PDF) provides financing for eligible groups who have an affordable housing proposal but need additional financial support to advance their project to prepare a more fully formed and competitive proposal. This financing is intended to support eligible groups in responding to future BC Housing programs funded under Building BC.  Those eligible for a PDF loan can access up to a maximum of $250,000 in support. A PDF loan is intended to help partners develop comprehensive proposals (including the necessary due diligence, feasibility analyses and design specifications) for new affordable housing projects.

The Professional and Institutional Development Program funds projects that develop the capacity of communities to perform 10 core functions of governance, including:

• Leadership
• Membership
• Law-making
• Community involvement
• External relations
• Planning and risk management
• Financial management
• Human resources management
• Information management and information technology
• Basic administration

Preservation Funding provides financial assistance to support the cost of completing preservation activities.This funding helps:

• Existing community housing providers remain viable and prepare for future funding opportunities

Preservation Funding is open to:

• Projects that are currently subject to an active, eligible federally administered operating agreement.
• Projects that were previously subject to a federally administered operating agreement that have since expired.

This includes projects previously administered under a federally administered operating agreement that were transferred under a Social Housing Agreement which have since expired. Funding may be increased to $75,000 on a case-by-case basis.

Vancity supports projects that help non-profit housing providers and housing co-operatives put their buildings on a pathway to net-zero and climate resilience — toward buildings that emit no greenhouse gases and better withstand the negative effects of a changing climate, ensuring occupant comfort and health are maintained.‍Non-profit housing providers, and organizations that support them, can apply for a grant to enable climate-friendly retrofits. Vancity offers two types of grants based on your project phase: planning grants, and capital and implementation support grants. Applicants are welcome to apply for both.

To qualify for funding, a project must meet these criteria:

• Address specific needs identified in the community's housing assessment.
• Involve constructing a minimum of four new self-contained residential units.
• New units can be built or created through the conversion of non-residential properties.
• Renovations to existing units are not eligible.
• Projects must be "shovel ready" upon funding confirmation, with all necessary bylaw amendments completed.
• Priority is given to projects where developers commit to BC Energy Step Code requirements.
• Construction must be completed and occupancy permits awarded within two years of approval.
• Projects started before funding approval are ineligible, unless permission is sought prior to construction, with a strong rationale provided. Waiving this requirement is decided on a case-by-case basis and does not guarantee grant approval.                                                        

Funding Note: Local governments are eligible to receive a grant of up to $10,000 per dwelling created in a multi-unit market housing project to a maximum contribution of $200,000.

The Capital Program is designed to be broad in nature, allowing flexibility for communities to submit applications for projects that help them respond to the changes resulting from economic growth from the LNG Canada or Coastal GasLink projects.

Projects must fit within the following categories:

• Housing and wraparound services (e.g. services that are included as part of a housing project to support residents)
• Health support services and addiction counseling
• Emergency services
• Victim services, violence against women prevention or support services, Indigenous peoples support services for on and off-reserve members
• Childcare
• Small business recruitment, retention and resiliency
• Local and Indigenous Nation government capacity and support.                                              

Some examples include butare not limited to:

• Upgrades or expansion of multi-unit social housing
• Upgrades or expansion of emergency shelters
• Upgrades to addiction support or social service facilities impacted by the project
• Upgrades or development of childcare spaces
• Indigenous cultural space improvements.                                                                                              

Funding Note: You may receive up to $500,000 to a maximum of 80% of the eligible project budget

First Nations may apply to the National Aboriginal Lands Managers Association (NALMA) for funding to assist in the development of their Land Use Plans (LUP).  NALMA may provide First Nation communities with technical support and training throughout the LUP process as needed.Your community may be eligible to receive funding for the development of a land use plan. Please note that the amount of funding approved for your land use plan will depend on eligible project activities and available budgets, while the time required to complete your plan may vary.                                                                                                  

Funding Note:

Availability is based on each category.

• Category 1: Background Report (Pre-Planning) (Up to  $75,000 for projects up to 1-year in length).
• Category 2: Land Use Plan Development, Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation
  • Only applicants who have Completed Category 1 (or suitable alternative pre-planning activities*) are eligible to apply for Category 2 Funding (Up to  $175,000 for projects up to 2-years in length).
• Category 3: Updating an Existing Land Use Plan (Up to $25,000 for projects up to 1-year in length).