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FUNDING AND RESOURCES

Funding, Resources, and Opportunities

Movable Cultural Property Grants (Federal Government):

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.

National Creation Fund:

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.

Canada Cultural Spaces Fund (Federal Government):

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.

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

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.

Urban Communities Partnering for Reconciliation:

Urban Communities Partnering for Reconciliation. Funding permitting, eligible applicants may submit one application between September 1, 2024 and August 31, 2025. This program was created as a multipartner, community-driven approach focused on improving the socio-economic outcomes for urban Indigenous communities in BC, including Inuit, First Nations and Métis populations. Funding is available to support eligible Indigenous organizations and local governments to work together to create opportunities for in-person dialogue and relationship building which can help advance collaborative reconciliation plans, protocols, agreements or future projects.

The Music Industry Initiatives Program:

The Music Industry Initiatives Program. Closes March 1, 2025. This program supports initiatives that grow and develop British Columbia’s music ecosystem. Successful projects will build the capacity of B.C.’s music industry through training, knowledge transfer, and the creation of new business opportunities. Canadian companies, not-for-profit organizations, individuals, and collectives are able to apply. $2,000 - $60,000, funding up to 75% of project expenses. The remaining 25% may be in-kind contributions, investment, earned revenue, and/or other public funding.

BC First Nations Post-Secondary Partnerships Program:

Emergency Support Services Equipment and Training. January 31, 2025. This is a First Nations Government and Local Authority based provincial emergency response program designed to meet the basic needs of British Columbians impacted by disasters by providing short-term support in a compassionate manner. ESS is designed to provide support for disasters ranging from a single house fire to provincial level events involving large evacuations. These supports enable people to re-establish themselves as quickly as possible after an emergency or disaster.

BC First Nations Post-Secondary Partnerships Program:

BC First Nations Post-Secondary Partnerships Program. Closes January 27, 2025. The Indigenous Adult and Higher Learning Association and the First Nations Education Steering Committee are pleased to support the delivery of the Post-Secondary Partnerships Program (PSPP) in BC. The PSPP is a First Nations directed, regionally delivered program that supports delivery of community based post-secondary programs by First Nations and First Nations-mandated post-secondary institutes, in partnership with public post-secondary institutions, based on priorities set by applicant First Nations. Under the PSPP, there are two categories of eligible activities: 1. Program/Course Development or Adaptation and 2. Program/Course Delivery. Due to limited funds, the overall maximum amount that can be applied for is up to $300,000.

BC Indigenous Food Pathways Program:

BC Indigenous Food Pathways Program provides strategic capacity-building funding. Funding can be used to create new projects, enhance existing programs, or improve group operations for Indigenous-led food systems and food security initiatives that act as disruptors to known systemic barriers. Projects funded are intended to act as catalysts to generate positive change that supports Indigenous peoples’ self-determination over their food systems, and their participation in the food and agriculture sectors. These projects will create shared benefits that support the self-determined priorities of Indigenous peoples and more equitable, decolonized food systems.

Funding information

  • Supports eligible expenses up to $200,000

  • Maximum amount approved will depend on project demand and impact

  • Approved activities must be completed within 13 months of approval

  • Minimum project amount is $50,000

  • Maximum of fifteen (15) percent of the budget may go towards capital expenses

  • Ten (10) percent of the budget can be allocated towards administrative costs

Program staff will work on project deliverables and disbursement timelines based on the needs of the project for successful completion.  Please email IndigenousFoodSystems@gov.bc.ca to discuss project alignment first.

RBC Community Investment Funding Opportunities:

Community Investment Priorities t drive more equitable opportunities for prosperity, we intend to support projects that:

Create stability by addressing food security, housing stability, and access to health service. For example, ideas that:

  •  Improve access to healthy and affordable food for the long-term to alleviate pressure on short-term emergency supports

  • Improve access to housing situations that are safe, secure, and/or affordable

  • o Enable more equitable health outcomes by removing barriers to relevant health supports and services

Vancouver Foundation Funding:

  • Deadline is Stage 1 January 14th at 5pm.  https://www.vancouverfoundation.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024-TSG-Application-Guide.pdf  The Transforming Systems Grants (TSG) help to fund organizations advancing systemic change by addressing the root causes of inequality and supporting those most affected toshape their own futures. It is intended to support organizations that prioritize intersectionality, allyship and mutual liberation in their efforts to challenge oppressive systems.  These grants were designed to support operational costs, rather than specific projects, for organizations that are advancing systemic change by addressing the root causes of systems of oppression. Below are some examples of oppressive systems applicants may be addressing in their work with an example of an initiative related to each: Please note: This list is not exhaustive, and we invite applicants to identify other systems they’re addressing when they apply. Funding is intended to support existing work and can be used for one or more of the following: 

  • Sustaining, deepening, and/or expanding current operations and initiatives; 

  • Building or expanding networks or strategic partnerships; and/or, 

  • Amplifying reach and effectiveness.

FPCC Funding Grants:

  • The FPCC Language Revitalization Planning Program. Closes December 18, 2024 4pm. The Language Revitalization Planning Program supports First Nations communities in B.C. to develop comprehensive, long-term plans for revitalizing and strengthening their languages. These plans are a way to capture the community’s vision for their language and map out the work for language revitalization into the future. The planning process also helps to build community awareness around language; provides funding plus resources and coaching. Funding can be used for wages, honoraria, equipment, resource materials and more.  The Language Revitalization Planning Program includes peer-to-peer sharing through virtual gatherings and one-on-one coaching support from FPCC as well as helpful resources and templates.

  • Language Technology Program. Closes December 18, 2024 4pm.  The Language Technology Program provides funding plus equipment and training to support language revitalization using technology. 

There are 2 components within the Language Technology Program: FirstVoices and Digitization

  • FirstVoices projects involve using FirstVoices.com to document and share your language. These projects make languages more accessible and preserve knowledge for future generations. 

  • Digitization projects involve converting materials such as audio cassettes, reel-to-reel tapes, VHS tapes and text documents to a digital format.

  • Pathways to Language Vitality Program. Closes December 18, 2024 4pm.  The Pathways to Language Vitality (Pathways) Program provides funding and support for community-led projects that revitalize First Nations languages in B.C. and help create fluent speakers. Pathways was launched in 2020, in response to community feedback. It combines four previously separate funding streams: the B.C. Language Initiative, Indigenous Language Grants, Language Nest Program  and Language Gathering & Sharing Grants. Pathways creates the opportunity for communities to implement multiple connected projects in a coordinated way, leading to greater outcomes.

Please note that the application process for Pathways Program funding has changed. In 2023, we asked eligible communities and organizations to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) sharing their language program funding needs. We are now inviting those who submitted an EOI to apply. The application process has been streamlined to a single form for all language programs except for Mentor-Apprentice Programs and Youth Empowered Speakers.  The Language Program is also now offering multi-year funding of up to three years.

  • Reclaiming My Language Program. Closes December 18, 2024 4pm.  Reclaiming My Language is a course to assist silent speakers to reclaim their language.

Silent speakers are people who have a good understanding of their language but do not speak it. There are many kinds of silent speakers, including people who spoke their language before attending residential school or people who grew up hearing their language and understand it, but do not speak it. The course runs 10 weeks for up to three hours each week. It uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and offers supports for silent speakers, including tools and coaching to help them move forward in a good way to reclaim their language.

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.

  • Individual Arts Grants: Visual Artists. Closes December 4, 2024. This program supports professional visual artists, contemporary and traditional craft artists, and independent critics and curators with the creation of specific projects. Grants are available to support the creation of new works. Applications may be made by individuals or on behalf of a collaboration of two or more artists sharing creative control of a project. The maximum request amount is $15,000. 

  • Accelerate Program. Closes December 19, 2024. This program 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. Maximum funding amount: $30,000 per year for two years. 

Community Planting Grants

Do you have a project planned to plant native species in your community but lack the funds to get started? Use the list of resources on CanPlant to find funding.

Clean Energy in Indigenous, Rural, and Remote Communities

An additional $300 million is available until 2027 for your clean energy projects. These projects can help advance Indigenous-led climate action, support local economic development and create skilled jobs while reducing pollution and improving air quality.

There is no deadline to apply. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis.

Indigenous Youth Internship Program

The Indigenous Youth Internship Program (IYIP) provides a 1-year paid internship for up to 25 young Indigenous British Columbians, ages 19 to 29. The program encourages Indigenous youth to consider the BC Public Service and First Nations / Indigenous organizations as a place to pursue a rewarding career. The program helps to support Indigenous youth to develop their leadership skills through work placements. Interns are initially placed with a BC Government ministry for the first 9 months. Following that, the intern is placed with an Indigenous organization for three months (salary still paid by BC Government). For more information on the program, including applying as a Intern or as a First Nation tohost an Intern, visit Indigenous Youth Internship Program - Province of British Columbia.

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