Funding Opportunities from Coast to Coast to Coast

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).

This program has two major goals:

1. Provide Indigenous Peoples, fossil fuel, and other workers and their communities with access to training, upskilling, and internship opportunities in the renewable energy job sector.
2. Connect renewable energy employers with motivated workers to fill labour shortage gaps and expand business operating capabilities across Canada.

The Capacity Building Program is designed to be broad in nature, allowing flexibility for communities to submit applications for projects that help 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 tosupport residents)
• Health support services and addiction counseling
• Emergency services
• Victim services, violence against women prevention or support services, Indigenous peoples supportservices for on and off-reserve members
• Childcare
• Small business recruitment, retention and resiliency• Local and Indigenous Nation government capacity and support                                                  

Some examples include but are not limited to:

• Hiring of additional staff and/or program delivery, or other incremental services
• Expansion of service delivery areas or service hours/days                                                      

Funding Note: You may be awarded up to $300,000 grant (up to $100,000 per year) to a maximum of 90% of the eligible projectbudget

NRT will consider all projects and activities meant to strengthen the institutional, governance, and community capacities in reclaiming and rebuilding resiliency, self-determination, and sovereignty within each Nation’s context.  Eligible costs include:

• Professional, legal, technical, and consulting fees (quotes are required if cost is $15,000 or more to one consultant/contractor/service provider
• Community engagement costs
• Supplies, materials, and equipment costs
• Capital materials and software acquisition
• Capacity development & training, mentorship, & Knowledge sharing related to the project
• Other reasonable administrative costs or any incremental costs associated with the project

Funding Note:

Award based on project, timeline 1-year grant of up to $60,000, or 2-year grant of up to $120,000.

One project per Nation or Tribal Council per year.

Supports projects that:                                                                                                                        

• Incorporate or make use of renewable energy, energy efficiency, or low-carbon heating technologies and practices.                                                                                                                    
• Offer broader environmental, social and economic benefits.                                                            
• Use proven technologies and practices (proven technologies usually correspond with a level 8 or above on the Technology Readiness Scale. Applicants are also encourage to submit projects that: help reduce GHG emissions in 2030 and align with Canada's goals for net-zero emissions by 2050.                  

Proposals that include non-First Nation partners must provide transparent and comprehensive information on the ownership and governance structure of the project, including details on decision-making processes. Email for Eligibility Criteria and Expression of Interest form.

The Indigenous Labour Market Fund (LMF) aims to help Indigenous communities gather data to identify employment gaps and opportunities. It focuses on training, recruitment, retention, and long-term employment strategies to boost Indigenous participation in relevant sectors. The fund also targets specific labor market issues affecting Indigenous people across British Columbia.

• Stream 1: Labour Market Plans/Studies
• Stream 2: Cultural Recognition Support
• Stream 3: Job Fairs.                  

Funding Note: Availability based on stream. Stream 1 – $150,000; Stream 2 – $250,000; Stream 3 – $75,000. Please inquire about multiple intake dates.

Columbia Power is committed to translating hydropower facility investments into benefits for people who live in the West Kootenay region of the Columbia Basin. The Community and First Nations Sponsorship programs are examples of how Columbia Power works to help build strong partnerships and vibrant communities where we operate our facilities.Columbia Power’s operations area encompasses the Lower Columbia River, Kootenay Lake, Slocan Valley, Upper and Lower Arrow Lakes and surrounding communities and is part of the unceded traditional territories of the Ktunaxa, Syilx, Secwépemc and Sinixt Nations. Speak with a representative if your request is higher than $2,500.

This funding aims to ensure that emergency management programs and services are culturally sensitive and respectful to Indigenous communities. It supports activities such as providing cultural training, adapting emergency tools to be inclusive of Indigenous perspectives, and offering assistance to Indigenous communities during emergency situations such as mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.

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

Requests eligible for funding:

• Your organization, community group or project supports Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) within Canada
• Your organization has not received funding from the Indigenous Communities Fund in the last two years
• You clearly address a pressing social or well-being need and create measurable community outcomes such as, but not limited to:
  • Accomplishing individual and community wellness and healing
  • Reviving cultural strength, knowledge and skills
  • Helping overcome geographical and economical barriersIncreasing social connections to help foster community engagement.

Indigenous communities and housing providers that want to upgrade and retrofit their residential homes to improve comfort, affordability and climate resiliency. The Indigenous Communities Conservation Program (ICCP) includes free energy-saving products, salary funding, and training for community members (or staff) in how to install the products and complete a basic home condition assessment. The ICCP also offers rebates for larger energy efficiency upgrades to the building envelope (insulation, windows & doors), primary space and water heating, and replacement of inefficient appliances.

ISC BC Region's Housing Support Program provides a range of eligible activities for First Nations applying for housing funds. This includes training, capacity building, renovations and new home construction on-reserve.There are 2 separate HSP applications.

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First Nation applicants complete the relevant application(s) which support the housing priorities in their community:

• Governance and Capacity Application – Supports the creation of housing policies and plans, as well as training and capacity development.
• Housing Support Program Application – Provides a subsidy towards new home construction or purchase, regular and health and safety renovations and is inclusive of building inspection costs. Also provides a flat rate towards the construction of multi-unit (3 or more units) residential homes, which includes site preparation, building inspection costs and project management costs.                                                                          

Funding Note: Availability based on stream. Governance & Capacity - $100,000 maximum with 20% Nation contribution; Housing Support Program - $35,000 - $71,000 per home for new construction, half subsidy for regular renovations

The program aims to support vulnerable populations through financial grants to local non-profit organizations that provide services to children, families and seniors. The GO Fund is targeted to support non-profit organizations serving the communities of Fort St. John, Hudson’s Hope, Taylor, Chetwynd, and residents of Peace River Regional District (Electoral Areas B, C and E). Funding decisions are made by a regional committee with appointees from the communities and rural areas that the Fund is serving.

We provide grants and loans to support the construction of a new affordable housing project to a higher environmental performance standard.This funding supports measures to install physical infrastructure, to create new housing units that are designed to achieve net-zero-ready building energy performance. Projects working toward NZER/NZE can reach this target through a range of methods and building performance standards. These include, but are not limited to, Passive House©, LEED® Platinum, or Canada Green Building Council’s Zero Carbon Building. GMF does not require certification through any of these programs.                                                                                                                                                             Funding

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Note: Financing (a combination of a grant and a loan) for up to 20% of total eligible project costsUp to a maximum combined financing of $10 million60% grant and 40% loan**Northern providers are eligible for additional grant funding. Please see application guide for details.

The FNIF was created as a complementary source of funding to the Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program and includes 9 categories of eligible infrastructure projects:

• Planning and skills development
• Solid waste management
• Roads and bridges
• Energy systems
• Connectivity
• Structural mitigation (previously disaster mitigation)
• Fire protection
• Cultural and recreational facilities
• Band administrative buildings

The First Nations Home EnergySave (FNHES) Learning Grant Program is a Fraser Basin Council initiative aimed at building the capacity of Indigenous individuals to advance energy efficiency through training and skills development.The initiative comes under the First Nations Home EnergySave Program, which supports peer learning and shared success stories among BC First Nations communities working to reduce home energy use and build local capacity.