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A staff-curated list of various grants and funding opportunities available to support First Nations’ projects in stewardship, sustainable energy, training, culture, and economic development.
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 staff members have 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.
COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
CONSERVATION, STEWARDSHIP, AND CLIMATE ACTION
ARTS & CULTURE
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY
TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT
Government of Canada: Community Economic Development and Diversification in British Columbia
Supports projects that harness local ambitions, assets, knowledge, and economic opportunities to create more prosperous and resilient communities.
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Indigenous Services Canada: Community Opportunity Readiness Program
Supports First Nation and Inuit Communities for a range of activities to support communities’ pursuit of economic opportunities in addition to helping applicants to submit proposals to seek additional funding.
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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.
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NDN Collective: Community Action Fund
Supports Indigenous frontline, grassroots, community-based groups and organizations, Tribes, communities and villages, and individuals leading direct action or movement-building work in their effort to defend Indigenous Peoples’ rights, and protect their land, air, water, and natural resources.
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New Relationship Trust: BC Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund
Supports upcoming cannabis business’ by facilitating community planning and engagement activities, as well as assisting with business planning, design, and implementation tasks associated with their cannabis project.
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New Relationship Trust: Declaration Act Engagement Fund
Supports First Nation’s capacity to engage with the Province on the implementation of the Declaration Act action plan and alignment of Provincial laws with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
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New Relationship Trust: Food Security and Sovereignty
Supports the development, expansion, or strengthening of Indigenous food systems and innovation with the aim of promoting sustainability and growth in Indigenous agriculture and food sovereignty.
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New Relationship Trust: Indigenous Labour Market Fund
Supports Indigenous labour market and employment initiatives to increase Indigenous labour market participation and job creation in BC while demonstrating respect for Indigenous culture, values, and traditions.
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Union of BC Municipalities: FireSmart Community Funding and Supports
Supports local governments and First Nations in BC to increase community resiliency by undertaking community-based FireSmart planning and activities that reduce the community’s risk from wildfire.
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2 Billion Trees Program
Supports new tree planting projects.
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BC Conservation Foundation: Community Conservation Fund
Supports community-based conservation initiatives that promote collaboration, applied knowledge, and education to positively impact local fish and wildlife populations.
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Commercial Bear Viewing Association: Small Grant Program for Bear Conservation
Supports projects that have conservation benefits for any species of bears within British Columbia – black bear, spirit bear, and grizzly bears.
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EcoCanada: Youth in Natural resources
Offers wage funding to employers hiring young professionals for full-time placements and job training in natural resource sectors, supporting environmental protection, and positive outcomes.
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Government of Canada: First Nations Adapt Program
Supports First Nation communities and organizations located south of the 60th parallel to assess and respond to the impacts of climate change, and increase climate resilience, in support of self-determined priorities.
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Habitat Conservation Trust Fund: Grants
Support conservation projects focusing on wildlife restoration, land acquisition, community engagement, and biodiversity education in BC.
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Indigenous Stewardship Fund: Climate Emergency Fund
Supports for urgent, Indigenous-led environmental restoration projects that protect and restore salmon populations and their habitats.
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Indigenous Youth Roots: Land and Food Sovereignty
Supports projects spanning a full growing season that offer multi-seasonal land-based programming to learn about food, medicines, and engage with knowledge keepers.
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Pacific Salmon Foundation: Community Salmon Program
Supports volunteer and community–driven organizations that undertake salmon conservation and restoration projects.
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Pacific Salmon Commission: Northern Fund Call for Proposals
Supports funding for projects in the Northern Boundary and Transboundary areas that advance the Pacific Salmon Treaty through improved data, habitat restoration, and low-tech wild stock enhancement.
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Pacific Salmon Commission: Southern Fund Call for Proposals
Supports funding to implement the Pacific Salmon Treaty through projects that improve information, restore habitat, or enhance wild stock production.
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Telus: Indigenous Communities Fund
Supports Indigenous-led social, health and community programs 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.
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First Peoples Cultural Council: Mentor-Apprentice Program
Supports funding for mentors and apprentices to engage in one-on-one language immersion, bringing BC First Nations languages into daily life at home and on the land and waters to build fluency.
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Government of Canada: Local Festivals – Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage
Supports festivals that present the work of local artists, artisans, or heritage performers, including the celebration of LGBTQ2S+ communities and Indigenous culture.
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Indigenous Screen Office: Sector Development – Travel Program
Supports Indigenous screen-based creatives for project related activities or professional development opportunities that require travel..
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Indigenous Screen Office: Story Fund – Development Program
Supports content development by providing funding for cultural and community engagement, story editing, mentorship, knowledge keepers, and professional development.
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Na‐mi‐quai‐ni‐mak: I Remember Them Community Support Fund
Supports Indigenous communities, survivor organizations, and registered non‐profits in healing, memorials, and remembrance within their communities. Na-mi-quai-ni-mak funds projects for survivors of the Indian residential school system.
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Oshki Wupoowane: The Blanket Fund
Supports Indigenous cultural, artistic, and educational activities. Offered through two grant streams (Reconciliation Action Grants and Capacity Building Grants), The Blanket Fund can be accessed by both grassroots Indigenous communities and organizations, and by Indigenous individuals undertaking related community initiatives.
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Agricultural Clean Technology Program: Research and Innovation Stream
Supports 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.
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Fortis BC: Indigenous Communities Conservation Program
Supports Indigenous communities looking to improve energy efficiency and comfort in community members’ homes.
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Government of Canada: Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities Program
Supports Indigenous-led climate action through biomass heating, district heating, and combined heat and power systems, as well as research, development, and demonstration projects.
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Government of Canada: Lands and Economic Development Services Program
Supports economic development, land and environmental capacity of communities and to support the establishment of the conditions for economic development to occur, increasing their participation in the economy.
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Island Coastal Economic Trust: Capital and Innovation Program
Supports the development of vital regional and community-based public amenities and services to support sustainable economic diversification and growth, innovation, as well as enhanced quality of life.
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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.
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Wah-ila-toos: Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities
Supports 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.
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BC Hydro: Scholarships and Awards
Post-secondary and Indigenous scholarship programs support students in BC who aspire to become engineers, electricians, and other key professionals in the energy sector for a sustainable future.
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Government of Canada: Finder Tool
Indigenous bursaries search tool. You can search for bursaries by keyword, location, program of study, or Indigenous group.
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Indspire: Building Brighter Futures
Support is available to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis students in remote communities, rural areas, and urban centres across Canada through bursaries, scholarships, and awards from various organizations. Use their funding page to find opportunities that suit your needs.
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Scholarships Canada: Finder Tool
Matches applicants to scholarships based on the information provided when applicants create an account.
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Know about a funding opportunity that isn’t on this list? Let us know at info@coastfunds.ca.
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