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Funding Futures
in the Southern Gulf Islands
February 2024| SGI Sustainable Funding Initiative
K.Dentry
Real Estate Foundation of BC

The Real Estate Foundation of BC makes grants to support projects that advance sustainability, equity, and social justice in relation to land use and real estate practices in BC.

Eligible Applicants:
These grants are open to any non-profit organization or community contribution company (C3) working on land use or real estate issues in BC. For our purposes, non-profits include:
  • First Nations
  • Charities and societies
  • Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
  • Universities and colleges
  • Trade associations
  • Local and regional governments

Eligible Projects:
REFBC grants can support:
  • Law and policy reform
  • Applied research
  • Community engagement
  • Professional education
  • Public education
  • Projects that support Indigenous rights and interests in land use and real estate
  • Projects that advance justice, equity, diversity and inclusion for racialized and marginalized communities

Priorities:
REFBC grants support work in five areas. Projects may span more than one priority.
  • land use
  • fresh water
  • built environments
  • food sovereignty
  • real estate profession

Funding: In the last five years, they've granted an average of $4.6 million per year

Deadline: 5pm PST, February 7th 2024
We have funders to report to, too.

Please fill out our 5 minute survey so we can continue to offer grant and capacity building services to SGI organizations.

This program provides financial support to non-profit and non-government organizations for Canadian communities to take on local action-based projects that produce measurable, positive effects on the environment and to build the capacity of communities to sustain these activities in the future.

Eligible Applicants
Non-profit and non-governmental groups and organizations are eligible to receive funding, examples include:
  • environmental groups
  • community groups
  • youth and seniors groups
  • community-based associations
  • service clubs
  • domestic Indigenous governments, organizations, boards, commissions, communities, councils, associations and authorities
The following groups are ineligible, but are encouraged to partner with non-profit and non-governmental groups and organizations to support a project proposal:
  • businesses
  • educational institutions
  • C3 organizations
  • crown corporations
  • individuals
  • municipal, provincial, and territorial governments

Eligible Projects:
Projects must always address the environmental priority of the call for applications and clearly demonstrate that activities:
  • lead to measurable results for the environment at the end of the project
  • provide opportunities for community members to take action
  • produce positive environmental results
  • lead to results and engagement that will be sustained after the completion of EcoAction funding

All projects must also include:
  • at least one environmental indicator; and,
  • at least one capacity building indicator.
Funding
  • A minimum funding request of $25,000, up to $100,000 per project
  • A minimum of at least 50% of the total value of your project must come from other sources 

Deadline: March 22, 2024, by 12:00PST


  • Municipalities 
  • Community, not-for-profit organizations and associations
  • Schools 
  • First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities 
  • National Sport Organizations, Multi-sport Organizations, provincial and local sport organizations
  • Organizations that can reach targeted segments of the Canadian population
  • i.e. LGBTQ2S+, youth, seniors, individuals with disabilities, racialized groups, newcomers to Canada, groups representing rural areas, minority language communities, Indigenous groups, and low-income populations. 
  • Chapters, branches or locations from within the same organization may submit separate applications if they are hosting different programs or events during the Community Challenge timeframe.
Eligible Activities
  • The application must clearly outline the goal of removing barriers and increasing physical activity and sport participation and retention for equity-denied groups.
  • All community events registered on the challenge webpage from June 1 – 30 will count toward a community’s total score.
  • After June 30, finalist communities will be invited to submit an application explaining why they deserve to be Canada’s Most Active Community and win $100,000 to support local sport and physical activity initiatives
  • Individuals can also sign up and get moving in support of their community’s total by getting active in June.

Funding: $500 - $1,500

Deadline: February 13, 2024, by 5pm ET

The Government of Canada’s Tourism Growth Program (TGP) aims to help small and medium-sized businesses, tourism organizations, and local communities to grow and develop tourism products and experiences that position Canada as a destination of choice.
Eligible Applicants

Applicants eligible for funding under the TGP include entities such as:
  • Incorporated small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs),
  • Not-for-profit organizations (including tourism associations and organizations),
  • Post-secondary institutions, 
  • Indigenous-owned businesses (including sole proprietors) or Indigenous organizations, or
  • Governments (municipal/provincial and related entities)

Program Priorities
Project activities must include at least one of the following priority areas (in no order of preference):
  1. Support active tourism – projects that attract domestic and international visitors to participate in outdoor recreational experiences. This also includes improvements to make active tourism inclusive and accessible.
  2. Increase tourism benefits for communities – projects that increase visitors to smaller communities and rural areas, thereby extending the benefits of tourism in B.C.  
  3. Support Indigenous tourism industry – projects that are either Indigenous-owned or led that improve or increase Indigenous tourism experiences, which is one of the fastest growing international segments in B.C.’s tourism market.
  4. Support economic, environmental and cultural sustainability – projects that support economic, environmental and culturally sustainability.
  5. Extend the tourism season – projects that support the development and delivery of shoulder season products.
  6. Complement support provided through provincial programs – projects that align with efforts across the federal government and complement provincial, regional and local programs and initiatives.

Eligible Projects

Examples of project activities may include, but are not limited to:
  • helping operators to improve and/or create innovative tourism offerings attractive to domestic and international visitors,
  • supporting digitization, automation, or technology integration investments that enhance SME productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness,
  • supporting businesses with promoting tourism products, including digital and virtual reality experiences,
  • extending the tourism season by assisting tourism SMEs in the development and delivery of shoulder season products (e.g., winter tourism product development), developing capacity for more inclusive tourism experiences (e.g., enhancing accessibility of tourism assets, staff training to ensure welcoming, inclusive environments to diverse clientele),
  • developing and/or implementing sustainable tourism plans in communities based on research and market analysis,
  • supporting destinations to implement tourism plans that create or improve local assets, facilities, and planning for key infrastructure, including trails, and other activities related to growing tourism.

Funding: up to $250,000

Deadline: February 20, 2024, by 12:00pm PST
BC Arts Council

Arts Impact 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.

Eligible Applicants
  • An arts and culture organization registered and in good standing as a non-profit society or community service co-op in BC
  • An Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) community organization
  • An Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) government in BC that offers regular arts and culture activities. 
  • A professional arts and culture organization operated by a local BC government OR by a public post-secondary institution in BC 

Eligible Projects

Applications will be assessed in one of the following categories: 

1. Foundational Impact - Learning, Expanding, and Stabilizing
  • Supports the strengthening, expansion, or stabilization of organizations or collectives. 
Examples may include (but are not limited to):
  • Creating new, or expanding leadership and support positions 
  • Mentorships, internships, and co-op placements  
  • Board or staff training and development 
  • Policy planning and development  
  • Sustainability practices or environmental initiatives 
  • Emergency preparedness initiatives 
  • Funding of operating expenses towards organizational stability
2. Community Impact - Connecting, Engaging, and Extending
  • Supports connection with a new, pre-existing, or broader community.
Examples may include (but are not limited to):  
  • Audience, marketing, and outreach development  
  • Website development 
  • Community or youth engagement  
  • Inter-community artist networking and engagement  
  • Sector development or service projects delivered by arts service organizations
3. Artistic and Cultural Impact 
a) Imagining, Creating, and Producing Supports the early-stage development, creation, or production of work or exhibitions. 

Examples may include (but are not limited to):  
  • Research and development 
  • Commissions or residencies to create new work  
  • Revisions and redevelopment of work  
  • Workshopping or creative collaboration 
  • Creation of digital programming 
  • Integration of environmentally sustainable materials, methods, or practices
b) Sharing, Showcasing, and Promoting Supports the presentation, exhibition, and circulation of work, and connection to audiences.

Examples may include (but are not limited to):  
  • Productions, remounts, presentations, or exhibitions 
  • Touring or circulation of work  
  • Environmentally sustainable presentation practices 
  • Post-production evaluation 

Funding: Up to $30,000

Deadline: April 2, 2024, by 11:59pm

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). 

Eligible Applicants
All applicant organizations must be a not-for-profit organization or a registered charity in B.C. In addition, applicant organizations must identify as one of the following entities:
  • A place of worship (e.g., mosques, synagogues, temples, churches, etc.).  
  • A cultural community centre or cultural community space where members of an identifiable and/or equity-deserving group (e.g., 2SLGBTQQIA+ groups, Asian, Black, 4 Indigenous etc.,) gather for social or cultural activities/programming (e.g., traditional culture programs, workshops, and ceremonies, etc.). 
  • A private, not-for-profit faith-based or cultural school.  
  • An organization that serves a religious, spiritual, cultural, or equity-deserving community. 
NOTE: Municipalities are NOT eligible for this funding program. 

Eligible Expenses: Enhancing Security Measures 
  • Lock enhancements 
  • Lock systems 
  • Anti-graffiti film, paints, and/or coatings 
  • Cameras and recording/monitoring equipment 
  • Alarms and monitoring systems  
  • Protective barriers (e.g., doors, windows) 
  • Exterior lighting enhancements 
  • Costs associated with labour and installation of security enhancement equipment 
  • Security personnel 
  • Security audit/safety assessment of the site 
Repairing Damages 
  • Repairs to a structure, fixture, or space (Windows and doors, Locks, Fences, gates etc.)
  • Other damage to the property (provide details) 
  • Graffiti removal  
  • Insurance deductible related to repairing damages 
  • Labour costs associated with repairing damages
Funding: up to $10,000 per project

Deadline: March 31, 2024, or until the funds have been allocated

The Pacific Salmon Foundation’s Community Salmon Program is a grantmaking program that supports volunteer and community–driven organizations that undertake salmon conservation and restoration projects in British Columbia and the Yukon. 

Eligible Applicants:
  • Volunteer based group/organizations
  • Not-for-profit organizations
  • Schools
  • Indigenous governments
  • Eligible ProjectsHabitat assessment
  • Habitat rehabilitation
  • Stock assessment
  • Stock enhancement
  • Education, outreach and training
  • Community stewardship 
Your project must be aligned with CSP’s intended outcomes:
  • Increased and improved salmonid habitat 
  • Increased community capacity and involvement in salmon enhancement, habitat protection/restoration and watershed stewardship activities
  • Increased public awareness and support of the social, environmental and economic value of Pacific salmon
  • Increased number of local community cash and in-kind project partners 
  • Increased public understanding and support for rebuilding the salmon resource and their individual role in supporting wild salmon recovery 
  • Increased collaboration among community stakeholders in salmon enhancement, habitat conservation and restoration projects
  • Increased abundance of healthy, sustainable, genetically diverse Pacific salmon in the wild

Funding
1) Short Form application: up to $2,500
2)Standard Form application: requests over $2,500, up to 50% of project costs

Deadline: February 15, 2024

The EV Charge Up Program by Indigenous Clean Energy will provide financial rebates to increase EV infrastructure projects in public places, on-street, multi-unit residential buildings, workplaces, and light-duty vehicle fleets.

Eligible Applicants:
Eligible Indigenous Recipients are legal entities validly incorporated or registered in Canada. They include not-for-profit and for-profit organizations, such as:
  • Community groups
  • Electricity or gas utilities
  • Companies
  • Industry associations
  • Research associations
  • Standards organizations
  • Academic institutions
  • Condominium corporations
  • Indigenous governments or their departments or agencies where applicable
 
Eligible Activities
In order to be considered for funding, EV Chargers must:
  •  Include one or more of the following charging connector types: 
  • SAE J1772 standard (Level 2 (208/240 V) 
  • SAE J1772 Combo (for fast chargers) 
  • Other proprietary charging connector types (See below for additional requirements with respect to other proprietary connector types). 
  • Be considered “Connected EV Chargers”, as per the definition in Section 1 of the Guide.
EV Charger Projects must also meet the following requirements:  
  • Increase localized charging opportunities in one of the following:  
  • Public places; 
  • on-street; 
  • Multi Unit Residential Buildings (MURBs); 
  • workplaces; 
  • light-duty vehicle fleets  
  • Proprietary connector types (such as Tesla) may represent a maximum of 75% of all charging connectors installed at the same Project site.
  • The remaining balance (25% or more) must be universal charging connectors (J1772, J1772 Combo) of the same category (i.e. Level 2 or fast charger); 
  • The work performed must be in compliance with all applicable local codes (including building and electrical) and bylaws (including zoning and parking). 

Funding: Up to $100,000 per project
Deadline: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until August 31, 2024, or until all funds are allocated
BC Arts Council
Community Arts Festivals

This program supports the artistic development of local, community-based arts festivals by providing funding for fees paid to B.C. or Canadian professional artists and technicians and Elders or Knowledge Keepers engaged in the festival.

Eligible Applicants:

• A Community Arts Organization, registered and in good standing as a non-profit society or community service co-op in B.C. for at least one fiscal year prior to application
• An Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) community organization registered and in good standing as a non-profit society or community service co-op in B.C. for at least one fiscal year prior to application
• An Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) government in B.C. that offers regular arts and culture activities. 

New applicants: Register and create a profile in the online system. It may take up to 5 business days to process your registration request. You will receive an email when your registration request is approved. Once approved, you will be able to access the online application. Add the email address NoReply@BCArtsCouncil.ca to your safe senders list and check your spam folders.

Eligible Projects:
The festival must be an existing festival, with an arts focus, presented by local Indigenous or community arts organizations, and may feature a combination of local and touring artists.

An eligible community arts festival must:
1) Have a primary purpose focused on arts, and facilitate:
  • The exchange of local ideas, narratives, or issues that engage community participation through an artistic lens.
  • Development of the arts at a community level.
  • A growing relationship between artists and the local community.
2) Be organized primarily by volunteers and may also have a dedicated coordinator.
3) Be in B.C., be concentrated in place and time, and be longer than one day in duration. 
4) Have community involvement, including support of local government, volunteers, business, and arts and cultural organizations. 
5) Have appropriate planning related to healthy workplaces, including emergency preparedness. 

Eligible Costs:
• Artistic or tech fees for B.C. or Canadian professional artists and technicians (for example, video, audio, and lighting technicians, but not project coordination) as part of an eligible community arts festival.
• Fees for Elders or Knowledge Keepers as part of an eligible community arts festival.

Funding: Maximum request amount is $6,000.
Applicants may request:
 • A grant amount up to 50% of the total eligible project budget; or
 • A grant amount up to 65% of the total eligible project budget from applicants that are considered part of BC Arts Council’s designated priority groups as defined on page one.
• All eligible applicants with eligible and feasible projects will receive some level of funding.

Deadline: February 22nd, 2024
Island Health
Community Wellness Grant Program
Upcoming Intake

Island Health's community wellness granting program provides the opportunity for not-for-profit organizations, local government organizations and Indigenous Nations, organizations and communities to apply for one-time funding for the development of new initiatives and programs.

The community wellness grants program is designed to support collaborative community-led wellness interventions. The focus of this program is upstream wellness interventions that reduce barriers and increase supports, enabling all members of the community to enjoy health and wellness.

Open: February 2024
Kal Tire Replay Fund

Kal’s RePlay Fund provides grants for public infrastructure upgrades using recycled rubber products. Since 2019, we have worked with non-profits, school boards, First Nations and municipalities to aid in recycling millions of pounds of rubber tires to build enhanced, inclusive spaces.

Eligible Applicants:
  • registered charities
  • non-profit organizations
  • First Nations
  • schools
  • parent advisory councils
  • municipalities
  • Other types of non-profit, community-based organizations are also welcomed to apply. 

Funding: Up to $20,000

Deadline: 11:45pm PST February 28, 2024
Island Coastal Economic Trust Capital and Innovation Fund

The fund invests in communities of all sizes to implement vital regional and community-based infrastructure to support sustainable economic diversification and growth that strengthens wellbeing. The program can provide up to $200,000 to cover up to 50% of eligible costs for infrastructure projects through three program areas:
  • Industry and Business Development
  • Strategic Tourism Infrastructure
  • Innovation

Eligible Applicants:
  • Indigenous communities including Indigenous development corporations
  • local and regional governments
  • not-for-profit organizations

Funding: Up to $200,000. Funding requests for $50,000 or less and all funding requests under the Innovation Support funding stream can be approved in one funding intake.
For funding requests greater than $50,000 up to the program maximum of $200,000, the initial (Stage 1) application will be reviewed by the Regional Advisory Committee and board of directors. The committee and board may invite applicants to submit a full application (Stage 2) for decision. 

Deadline: February 16, 2024
Brought to you by Charity Village

You’ve probably found yourself asking a lot of questions about Artificial Intelligence: What exactly is it? Can it help us streamline our efforts? Are there areas it can outperform a human worker? Will it take my job? Are the robots going to eventually take over? We address these questions and more.
BOOM! Engaging Boomer Volunteers In Your Organization
Hosted by Volunteer Victoria
In this interactive fun workshop, that takes place in the Board Room at Volunteer Victoria, you will learn:
• how Boomers differ from other volunteers
• how you can attract Boomers to virtual one-time, short-term, or ongoing tasks
• how you can retain these volunteers longer than non-Boomers by setting up “a la carte” assignments
• how your organization measures up in terms of recruitment, training, retention, and recognition of older adult volunteers
• where to find Boomer volunteers
• how you may be able to turn them into donors and spokespeople for your organization

Date: Friday, February 23rd 9-11am PST
Cost: $28-31
Location: Volunteer Victoria
620 View Street #602 Victoria, BC V8W 1J6
Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation
Stewardship Grants
Upcoming Intake

Eligibility: Any individual, group or agency that has a good idea to help fish, wildlife or habitat in British Columbia.

Type of Activities Funded: Projects that focus on creating stewards and engaging people to increase their knowledge, awareness, and understanding of fish, wildlife, and their habitats. May involve direct action in which people are stewarding the land (e.g., restoring a wetland, creating specific habitat features, removing invasive plants) or indirect action in which proponents work with others to achieve positive outcomes for fish and wildlife (e.g., landowner contact programs, citizen science, hands-on educational programs).

Opens: TBA, February 2024
Closes: March 31, 2024
BC Rehab Project Grant

The intent of the BC Rehab Project Grant program is to create opportunities for the full participation of people with physical disabilities. BC Rehab is committed to equal opportunities and improving community accessibility throughout the province. We encourage projects that involve multiple community partners, promote universal access, has clearly defined objectives and demonstrate community support.

Eligible Applicants: Funds are available to non-profit organizations or community groups based in British Columbia.

Eligible Projects will:
  • Be consistent with BC Rehab’s mission of supporting efforts to create inclusive communities in BC and expand opportunities for people living with disabilities
  • Demonstrate the extent to which the project will create an sustainable and lasting impact
  • Have a reasonable and thorough program budget that breaks down costs and revenue
  • Establish a tangible timeline
  • Have a capable project leader or team in place to see the project through from start to finish
  • Set out measurable objectives to evaluation program success
  • Prove that there is community support for the proposed undertaking and estimates the amount of people from the disability community who will benefits from the project
Please note if the project is part of a large capital campaign, an approved project must be a distinct and recognizable (“stand alone”) part of the campaign.

Funding: The BC Rehab allocation committee does not impose a funding limit, but the average approved funding requested falls between $2,000 and $5,000. 

Deadline: February 16th, 2024
CFAX Children's Special Grant Program

The mandate of the Children’s Special Grant Program is to fund projects and programs that support children, youth (ages 17 and under), and families in the Capital Regional District. Only projects that fall within these objectives will be considered. 

Eligible Projects: Projects that address child poverty in the following 5 categories
  • mental health
  • hunger
  • education
  • sport
  • greater good

Eligible Applicants: Applications may be submitted by private citizens, schools, and registered charities (as defined by the Canada Revenue Agency). In the latter case, the organization’s charitable status must be verified to be in good standing.

Deadline: March 31st, 2024
Islands Trust Conservancy
Opportunity Fund

The Opportunity Fund’s purpose is to support opportunities to protect biodiversity in the Islands Trust Area in a timely way.

These small grants support those initial, hard-to-fundraise costs of land protection projects, or help leverage increased donations to an acquisition.

Eligible Applicants:
The Opportunity Fund will be used to support projects initiated by partner land conservation agencies, as well as land acquisition initiatives led by or involving the Islands Trust Conservancy.

Funding Priorities
When evaluating requests the Islands Trust Conservancy Board considers
  • the urgency of the request
  • potential for protection of our biodiversity priorities and long-term conservation goals as identified in our Regional Conservation Plan.

Eligible Costs: In general the Islands Trust Conservancy will consider the funding of:
1. Acquisition and covenant costs (baseline, survey, appraisal, legal, etc.)
2. Land purchase costs. a. In general, the Islands Trust Conservancy will only support purchase of land at or below the appraised value of the land. b. Funding support for land acquisition may be used to match designated donations to the Islands Trust Conservancy for the project on a 1:1 ratio.
3. Other types of projects may also be considered at the Islands Trust Conservancy Board’s discretion. 

Deadline: March 1st, 2024. Applications will be considered at the March 19th, 2024 Conservancy Board meeting.
SUBSIDIES, GRANTS AND REBATES
FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES
KidSport British Columbia
Provincial Fund

Through a confidential application process, KidSport provides grants to kids from families facing financial barriers to help cover the cost of their sport registration fee so they can experience the joy of a season of sport.

Eligible Activities: Sport activities must be affiliated with the member sport organizations of Sport BC and demonstrate a sustained sport experience (a season of sport led by a qualified coach) for a minimum of 6 weeks and include at least one session per week. For a list of eligible sports, and to find a local club near you, click here.

Funding: KidSport™ considers the social and economic barriers facing the athlete’s family when determining eligibility for funding. Children 18 and younger could be eligible for up to $400 per child, per calendar year (January – December). Parent/guardians may apply more than one time in a calendar year but the total amount of grant(s) that will be given will not exceed $400.

To apply:
1. Register your child in a sport program.
2. Apply online**

**Please note that you will need to submit your Notice of Assessment from the most recent tax year that shows line 15000 for all income earners in the household. To obtain your most recent Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment, contact Revenue Canada at 1-800-959-8281 or log into your CRA Account online.

The Community Fund is a project where individuals can apply to have mental health training brought to their community. Each community has the opportunity to choose from the following training options: 2 day Mental Health First Aid certification course, our very own Talk Ask Listen workshop, In The Know or SafeTALK.

Eligible Applicants
  • The fund is open to all agricultural communities across Canada.
  • Community members, businesses, associations, etc. are encouraged to apply

Project Requirements
Do More Ag will partner with you to help you organize the training for your community. As the lead organizer, responsibilities include, but not limited to:
  • Choosing a date with our facilitator
  • Finding a facility to host the training with audio visual equipment
  • Catering coordination
  • Marketing your event
  • Attendance recruitment
  • Partnering with local businesses to sponsor your event
  • Providing feedback to The Do More Ag Foundation
  • Submitting training expenses to Do More Ag for reimbursement
Funding
  • The fund will cover all expenses incurred including facilitator costs, course materials, catering and room rental (if required).
  • Catering and room rental costs will be capped.
Deadline
  • February 15, 2024
StrongerBC Future Skills Grant
Upcoming Intake

The StrongerBC future skills grant empowers British Columbians to shape their own futures.

Eligibility: Most British Columbians are eligible. The StrongerBC future skills grant is available regardless of your financial situation.

Funding: The grant covers up to $3,500 for eligible short-term skills training at public post-secondary institutions.

Future Learners
The government is committed to providing high-quality and relevant learning opportunities for learners and employers. That is why the government will be refreshing the list of programs funded under the StrongerBC future skills grant beginning in 2024. This will allow the government to offer, in fall 2024, more diverse and updated skills training options for British Columbians who want to access well-paid, high opportunity occupations.

Please stay tuned for the refreshed list of program offerings, which will be posted in mid-late spring 2024.
UPCOMING EVENTS
SATURNA ISLAND
MAYNE ISLAND
PENDER ISLAND
SALT SPRING IS.
SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORTS

The Canadian Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA) has secured Government of Canada funding via Parks Canada to support a two-year “green jobs” program for youth. This program will provide direct financial support (via wage subsidies) to local governments and other sector organizations, reaching nearly 280 jobs that focus on green career-related activities.

Eligible Applicants:
  • Canadian local governments, Indigenous communities and other sector organizations are eligible to apply to this Program.
  • Other sector organizations include:
  • Not for Profit Environment Organizations
  • Environmental Science Centers
  • Conservation Organizations
  • Museums
  • Education Institutions
  • Community NGOs
  • Provincial NGOs
  • Park Authorities
  • Villages/Towns
  • Youth Agencies
  • Regional Districts
  • Community Centres

Project Requirements:
Eligible youth who will be engaged in this program must be:
  • Between 15 and 30 years of age when employment begins (inclusive)
  • A Canadian citizen, or permanent resident or a protected person as defined by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
  • Legally entitled to work in Canada
  • Legally entitled to work according to the relevant provincial/territorial legislation and regulations
* Youth who have previously been hired through the YESS program are eligible to be re-hired by a participating organization as long as the individual is hired into a new position or in a position that is a progression from a position that the youth previously held.

Successful candidates must:
  • Confirm their use of funding within five (5) working days of the date of offer or the offer will be withdrawn
  • Confirm that they have not already received any federal funding to support the same positions

Funding: The maximum wage subsidy offered through this program is $5,062.00 for each youth.
  • Additional support may be available on a case-by-case basis for disability support, dependent support (ex. childcare), and transportation accommodations (more than 150km from residence to job location).

Deadline: February 16, 2024, by 2pm PST
Facilitated Sustainable Tourism and Climate Adaptation Planning for Tourism Businesses

The Facilitated Sustainable Tourism and Climate Adaptation Planning for Tourism Businesses–provides free, one-on-one, tailored support to tourism businesses looking to incorporate environmental sustainability or climate adaptation measures into their operations, strategy, and storytelling.

Businesses accepted into this program are connected with an experienced Program Advisor and other sustainability and climate adaptation experts from Destination BC’s subject matter expert network. The advisors and experts will work one-on-one with each business to help them develop a sustainability and climate adaptation road map and perform detailed assessments to identify the most impactful, customized measures for climate resiliency.

Eligibility: We are accepting 150 businesses into the program during this intake period on a first come, first served basis.
Visa She's Next Grant Program

Visa is empowering women entrepreneurs across Canada, offering ten $10,000 grants and access to an accelerated mentorship program through York University.

Eligible Applicants:

The Contest is open to any natural person who meets all of the following eligibility requirements
i. The entrant is a legal resident of Canada ii. The entrant is a woman identifying entrepreneur
iii. The company has a minimum annual revenue of CAD $50,000
iv. The entrant is at least the age of majority of their province or territory of residence at the time of entry
v. The entrant must own at least 50% of their business and operate their business in Canada

Deadline: 8:59pm, February 5th 2024 
Futurpreneur Financing & Mentoring

Futurpreneur offers financing, mentoring and expertise to get startups off the ground. They offer collateral-free loans at better interest rates than most banks.

Eligibility: Futurpreneur is eager to support aspiring business owners aged 18 – 39 years old who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents currently living in Canada.

Funding: Futurpreneaur is able to finance up to $20,000 per business. If you need more money, the Business Development Bank of Canada may provide up to $40,000.

With the help of this fund, communities see job creation, positive social impacts, economic growth, and more employment opportunities. Projects help reduce poverty while strengthening the labour market and supporting communities experiencing impacts because of economic change.

Eligible Applicants:
  • Non-Profit Organizations
  • Crown Corporations
  • Municipalities or Agencies
  • Band/Tribal Councils/First Nations Governments
  • Public Health or Educational Institutions
  • Businesses

Funding Streams

CEP is funded by the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction and consists of four streams:

Eligible Projects

A broad range of projects are funded. Some examples include:
  • Building affordable housing
  • Persons with disabilities mentorship 
  • Indigenous Longhouse renovation 
  • Community improvement initiatives 
  • Wildfire recovery 
  • Accessibility enhancements to buildings, trails or parks 
  • Trail building 
  • Historical building/site restoration 
  • Early childcare education training 
  • Occupational training and work experience 
  • Developing community gardens 
  • Labour market studies

Deadline: No established deadline
Demo Recording Grant

The Creative BC Demo Recording program supports new and emerging artists from underrepresented groups living in the Province of B.C. to create demo recordings and engage in mentorship with local music producers.  

Eligible Applicants: BC-based new and emerging artists

Funding: Artists and producers can apply together for a $2,000 grant to cover 100% of recording expenses for one to two songs. 
Deadline: February 15, 2024, at 11:59 PM, PT.
Startup Women Empowerment Fund

Throughout the year, they provided 15 support organizations and other ecosystem supporters across Canada with funding to host events, initiatives, and campaigns for women-identifying entrepreneurs. Through this initiative, they supported 1,400+ entrepreneurs in 2023.

Join their email list to learn about upcoming opportunities!

The Environmental Jobs Growth Program provides training and employment support to job seekers looking to enter or advance their careers in the clean economy.

Eligible Employers: For-profit and not-for-profit organizations, municipalities, provincial and territorial governments, institutions, agencies and Crown Corporations, and Indigenous organizations are eligible to apply.

Eligible Participants
  • This program has no age restriction for applicants.
  • Job seekers from all experience levels are welcome to apply.
  • Funding for this program caters to all environmental careers, whether direct or indirect.
  • You do not need to have prior environmental experience to apply.
  • Funding will cover placements that are 6 to 12 months long

Funding
Employers receive:
  • 50% wage coverage up to $15,000 of a candidate’s salary for placements in a new full-time or part-time position
  • up to $18,750 when hiring a self-identified equity-deserving candidate

Deadline: No established deadline
Workplace Accessibility Grant

The Workplace Accessibility Grant provides direct supports to small business employers in British Columbia by providing direct financial assistance towards creating an accessible work environment for persons with a disability(ies).

Eligible Businesses
  • This Grant Program is available for small businesses with less than 50 employees, including the business owner.
  • Businesses must be registered and licensed in British Columbia at the time of submission
  • Businesses will have to declare their general information, name of the business, owner, contact information, banking information (for an EFT of grant funds) and provide a detailed project description covering the item(s) and/or service(s) purchased, as well as a receipt(s) with proof and method of purchase, which will become part of their file.

Funding: Reimbursement grants of up to $5,000 are available for eligible businesses that demonstrate how their project improves accessibility for persons with disabilities in the workplace

Deadline: March 31st, 2024 (on a first-come, first-serve basis)
SGI NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSE
WORKSHOPS & EVENTS
ORGANIZATION SPOTLIGHT
The Teacherage Restoration Project

The Mayne Island School PAC is raising money to benefit the students of the Mayne Island School by undertaking a community-led restoration of the Teacherage building on School District No. 64's property.

A revitalization of the two-bedroom dwelling looks to address an ongoing issue for our school - recruiting and retaining educational staff.

With your help, the school PAC aims to restore this residence to provide stable housing for teachers for years to come, contributing to the continuity of learning and community building.

In the 1970's, a house was brought onto SD64's property to create a Teacherage residence. In recent years, has been used as a workshop and storage building, nicknamed "the Ark" because it held two of everything :)
This home needs a little work to restore it to its former glory.

In June of 2023, after a vacant teacher position lasted half the school year, the parents of the MI School came to an agreement with SD64 to lead an initiative to restore the building - doing our best using grassroots fundraising and volunteer power.

Work on the teacherage should be complete on February 15th, and there is a teacher ready to move in! However, the PAC is still a bit short on their fundraising goal. Help the Mayne Island PAC to complete this important project by donating at their website.
Progress
Before
Exterior Paint and Windows
New Roof
New Kitchen Installation
Southern Gulf Islands Sustainable Funding Initiative
With funding from the SGI Community Economic Sustainability Commission