The New Relationship Trust offers First Nations a continuous intake for new applications based on the following Funding Deadlines:
| Grant Name | Status | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Nation Building Grant | Closed | Closed December 2nd due to funds exhausted. Please check back in Spring 2023 for next intake dates |
| Youth, Elders, Language Grants | Closed | Closed December 6. Please check back in Spring 2023 for next intake dates |
| BC Indigenous Clean Energy Initiatives | Closed | January 18, 2022 |
| Community Energy Diesel Reduction | Closed | Closed. Please check back in Spring 2023 for next intake dates |
| K-12 Education Grants | Closed | December 2, 2022 Due to Exhausted Funds. Please check back in Spring 2023 for next intake |
| Equity Matching Grants | Closed | Closed - Please check back in Spring 2023 for next intake dates |
| Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund (ICBF) | Open | Intake 1: Closes March 31, 2023 Intake 2: Opens April 3, 2023, Closes September 30, 2023 Intake 3: Opens April 1, 2024, Closes September 30, 2024 |
| Student Education Awards – 1st Call | Closed | Closed June 24, 2022 at 4:30PST. Please check back in Spring 2023 for next intake dates |
| Student Education Awards – 2nd Call | Closed | Closed Oct 7, 2022 at 4:30PST. Please check back in Spring 2023 for next intake dates |
First Nation Funding Grants
Overview
The Nation Building program provides funding opportunities to First Nations and Tribal Councils in British Columbia to support their nation-building activities according to their self-determined priorities. A project or initiative meant to strengthen the institutional, governance, and community capacities in reclaiming and rebuilding resiliency, self-determination, and sovereignty, within each Nation’s own context is considered an eligible project.
Who can Apply
- B.C. First Nations
- B.C. Tribal Councils
- B.C. indigenous organization that comes under authority of BC First Nation
Prior to completing an application as an Indigenous organization, please contact the Program Specialist for the program at [email protected] to ensure the project meets eligibility.
Intake Frequency
Continuous until funds are exhausted or December 6, 2022.
Funding Amount
- Up to $50,000 per year
- one project per applicant per year
Eligible Funding Activities (Examples of Past Projects)
- Land-use plans, strategic plans, community energy plans, economic development plans
- Lands referral policy and procedures
- Resource management research and strategy
- Capacity development specific to governance, economic development, community development
- Legal framework development and Law development
- Title and Rights research and strategy
- Proponent consultation strategy
- Custom election code and Membership Code
- Nation genealogy study
- Zoning Bylaws
- Community Meetings and Approval Law
- Community Safety and Justice Program strategy
- Climate action strategy
- Archaeological studies
- Council Policies
- Business Venture acquisition feasibility
- Commercial development plans
- Housing Policies and housing capacity development plans
- Development of Corporate Structure
- Habitat restoration activities
- Fish hatchery feasibility
- Fishing laws and regulation development
- Mining negotiation and term sheet development
- Outdoor recreation/tourism feasibility study
- Web-based member portal
- App & platform development for membership
- Nation records digitization project
- HR policy development
- Impact benefits Agreements
- Administrative system upgrades
- Leadership Orientation framework development
How to Apply
Download, review, and complete the Nation Building Guidelines and Application.
If you have questions or want to discuss a potential project, please contact us at [email protected] and we will arrange a time with you.
Guidelines & Application
The Nation building grant cycle for 2022-23 is now closed. It was open from May 13, 2022 until funds were exhausted or December 6, 2022 at 12:00 PST.
Final Report Template
If you have completed your project, please download and complete the brief final report template and then send it to the contact listed on the form.
Overview
The Youth Grant program provides funding opportunities to youth groups in First Nation communities in British Columbia to support inclusiveness, belonging, physical, well-being, cultural, traditional, creative, entrepreneurial activities all geared towards giving First Nation youth the tools, experiences, confidence, motivation, and teachings to be secure in their First Nation identity.
Who can Apply
- B.C. First Nations
- B.C. First Nation Youth Groups
If you have any questions on eligibility, please contact the Program Specialist Lana Plante at [email protected] to discuss.
Intake Frequency
Continuous until funds are exhausted or December 6, 2022.
Funding Amount
- Up to $5,000 per year
- A First Nation applicant can apply and be funded for all 3 initiatives for a maximum of $15,000 per year. Only one project per initiative can be funded at a time – for example: One Elder, one Language, and one Youth project per year.
Eligible Funding Activities (Examples of Past Projects)
- Youth Cooking classes
- Youth connections
- Arts and mentorship
- Hunting and cutting wood
- Youth cedar workshop
- Urban knowledge transfer ceremony
- Land based cultural camps
- On the land excursions
- Food security workshops
- Gathering strength canoe journey
- Drum making workshop
- Cultural teachings
- Traditional medicines workshops
- Reclaiming our voice
- Lost are of storytelling
- Leadership and culture camp
- Summer sports day
How to Apply
Download, review and complete the Youth, Elder, Language Guidelines and Application
If you have questions or want to discuss a potential project, please contact Lana Plante at [email protected] and we will arrange a time with you.
Guidelines & Application
The Youth, Elder, Language grant cycle for 2022-23 is now open from May 13th, 2022 until funds are exhausted or December 6th 2022 at 12:00pm PST.
Final Report Template
If you have completed your project, please download and complete the brief final report template and then send it to the contact listed on the form.
Overview
The Elder Grant program provides funding opportunities to elder groups in First Nation communities in British Columbia to improve access and the quality of elder experiences and activities for maintaining inclusion, belonging, cultural, emotional, mobility, health, and physical well-being.
Who can Apply
- B.C. First Nations
- B.C. First Nation Elder Groups
If you have questions on eligibility, please contact the Program Specialist, Lana Plante at [email protected] to discuss.
Intake Frequency
Continuous until funds are exhausted or December 6, 2022.
Funding Amount
- Up to $5,000 per year
- A First Nation applicant can apply and be funded for all 3 initiatives for a maximum of $15,000 per year. Only one project per initiative can be funded at a time – for example: One Elder, one Language, and one Youth project per year.
Eligible Funding Activities (Examples of Past Projects)
- Elders out and about
- Elder luncheons and activities
- Documenting and preserving who we are
- Reconnecting elders
- Elder team building excursions
- Arts and crafts
- Elder sewing club
- Elders bound book
- Sharing in Culture and traditional practices
- Digitization of elder stories and photos
- Elders fitness
How to Apply
Download, review and complete the Youth, Elder, Language Guidelines and Application
If you have questions or want to discuss a potential project, please contact Lana Plante at [email protected] and we will arrange a time with you.
Guidelines & Application
The Youth, Elder, Language grant cycle for 2022-23 is now open from May 13th, 2022 until funds are exhausted or December 6th 2022 at 12:00pm PST.
Final Report Template
If you have completed your project, please download and complete the brief final report template and then send it to the contact listed on the form.
Overview
The Language Grant program provides funding opportunities to First Nation communities in British Columbia for initiatives that revitalize First Nation languages and supports activities that build capacity to encourage and create new fluent speakers.
Who can Apply
- B.C. First Nations
- B.C. First Nation Language Groups
If you have any questions on eligibility, please contact the Program Specialist Lana Plante at [email protected] to discuss.
Intake Frequency
Continuous until funds are exhausted or December 6, 2022.
Funding Amount
- Up to $5,000 per year
- A First Nation applicant can apply and be funded for all 3 initiatives for a maximum of $15,000 per year. Only one project per initiative can be funded at a time – for example: One Elder, one Language, and one Youth project per year.
Eligible Funding Activities (Examples of Past Projects)
- Weekly language lessons
- Virtual language lessons
- Language camp
- Reclaiming our Voice
- Language immersion sessions
How to Apply
Download, review and complete the Youth, Elder, Language Guidelines and Application
If you have questions or want to discuss a potential project, please contact Lana Plante at [email protected] and we will arrange a time with you.
Guidelines & Application
The Youth, Elder, Language grant cycle for 2022-23 is now open from May 13th, 2022 until funds are exhausted or December 6th 2022 at 12:00pm PST.
Final Report Template
If you have completed your project, please download and complete the brief final report template and then send it to the contact listed on the form.
Overview
The K-12 Education Grant program provides funding opportunities for First Nation Kindergarten to Grade 12 classes in British Columbia to support learning environments that give First Nation students the best chance to transition to healthy, engaged, and productive young adults and support them to aspire to and experience greater opportunities for higher educational outcomes. Projects should create connections to First Nation culture and traditions that builds capacity, confidence, and motivation for students to be secure in their First Nation identity.
Who can Apply
- B.C. First Nation Schools
- B.C. Schools with classes with majority First Nation students
If you have any questions on eligibility, please contact the Program Specialist Lana Plante at [email protected] to discuss.
Intake Frequency
Continuous until funds are exhausted or December 6, 2022.
Funding Amount
- Up to $8,000 per year
Eligible Funding Activities (Examples of Past Projects)
- Indigenous success program
- After school homework club
- Academic and indigenous literacy
- Tutoring
- Engaging in science
- Connections to the Land based learning
- Machine Learning and information technology
- Transforming mathematics
How to Apply
Download, review and complete the K-12 Guidelines and Application
If you have questions or want to discuss a potential project, please contact Lana Plante at [email protected] and we will arrange a time with you.
Guidelines & Application
The K-12 Grant funding cycle for 2022-23 will open on September 6th, 2022 and will remain open until funds are exhausted or March 15th, 2023.
Final Report Template
If you have completed your project, please download and complete the brief final report template and then send it to the contact listed on the form.
Overview
The NRT has partnered with the various BC Aboriginal Financial Institutions (AFI’s) to offer an equity matching initiative intended to assist BC indigenous entrepreneurs and First Nation Businesses with equity-matching funds to support, modernize or expand a business in BC.
The equity matching grants are administered by the AFI’s in their respective service regions in BC. The grants are not offered as a stand-alone source of funding and must be applied for in conjunction with a business loan and is conditional on the AFI approving a loan that is supported by a viable business opportunity with confirmed equity, collateral, and business plan. The grants will reduce the cash burden for entrepreneurs in meeting their equity requirements of a business loan
Who can Apply
- B.C. First Nation entrepreneurs
- B.C. First Nation community businesses
Intake Frequency
Continuous until funds are exhausted (check with the AFI in your area for more information)
Funding Amount
- Up to $5,000 for entrepreneurs
- Up to $25,000 for community businesses
Eligible Funding Activities (Examples of Past Projects)
- Land-use plans, strategic plans, community energy plans, economic development plans
- Lands referral policy and procedures
- Resource management research and strategy
- Capacity development specific to governance, economic development, community development
- Legal framework development and Law development
- Title and Rights research and strategy
- Proponent consultation strategy
- Custom election code and Membership Code
- Nation genealogy study
- Zoning Bylaws
- Community Meetings and Approval Law
- Community Safety and Justice Program strategy
- Climate action strategy
- Archaeological studies
- Council Policies
- Business Venture acquisition feasibility
- Commercial development plans
- Housing Policies and housing capacity development plans
- Development of Corporate Structure
- Habitat restoration activities
- Fish hatchery feasibility
- Fishing laws and regulation development
- Mining negotiation and term sheet development
- Outdoor recreation/tourism feasibility study
- Web-based member portal
- App & platform development for membership
- Nation records digitization project
- HR policy development
- Impact benefits Agreements
- Administrative system upgrades
- Leadership Orientation framework development
How to Apply
Contact or visit the website of a BC Aboriginal Financial Institution (listed below)
If you are applying for a loan, request access to the NRT equity matching Grant.
Apply for the NRT Equity Matching Grant through these BC Aboriginal Financial Institutions
Community Futures Development Corporation of Central Interior First Nations (CFDC)
All Nations Trust Company (ANTCO)
Nuu-chah-nulth Economic Development Corporation (NEDC)
Tale’awtxw Aboriginal Capital Corporation (TACC)
Tribal Resource Investment Corporation (TRICORP)
Clean Energy Grants
Overview
The British Columbia Indigenous Clean Energy Initiative (BCICEI) provides support and capacity-building funds to Indigenous communities working on the development of clean energy projects.
BCICEI funding will enable the implementation of cost-effective clean energy and efficiency projects through support for:
- Feasibility and site selection activities
- Environmental review and permitting
- Project design and engineering
- Demand side management.
The initiative will also target remote and off-grid communities seeking to reduce dependency on conventional diesel power generation.
Who can Apply
- B.C. First Nations
- B.C. Tribal Councils
- Indigenous for profit and not-for-profit corporations, partnerships, and other legal entities which are majority owned and controlled by First Nation communities.
How to Apply
Application process for 2022-23 is now closed.
To keep informed of the launch date, please contact the coordinators listed in this section to request an update when the BCICEI will open.
Contact
Sarah Powell & Selina Beltran
BC Indigenous Clean Energy Initiative (BCICEI)
New Relationship Trust
Tel: 604.925.3338
Toll-Free: 1.877.922.3338
Emails: [email protected] & [email protected]
Guidelines & Application
The BCICEI grant cycle for 2022-23 will open in the fall 2022.
Final Report Template
If you have completed your project, please download and complete the brief final report template and then send it to the contact listed on the form.
Overview
The CEDR Program provides non-repayable funding contributions for clean energy initiatives to eligible remote communities that are off-grid residential regions that rely on diesel fuel for electricity generation. British Columbia has approximately forty-four (44) remote communities, most of which are governed by First Nations. Many of these remote communities are served by BC Hydro, while some own and operate their own diesel generators. In 2019, the remote communities consumed at least 19.1 million litres of diesel, emitting 51,784 tonnes CO2e.
Remote communities will have access to three funding streams to support them as they progress through various stages of their planning and implementation of their decarbonization projects. This will ensure remote communities have financial supports throughout the lifecycle of their energy projects that meets them at the stage where they are at, whether it be at the beginning, early, mid, or late stages of planning or implementation of their decarbonization projects.
The CEDR Program was funded and developed in partnership with Coast Funds and the B.C. Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation as part of the Ministry’s remote community energy strategy to achieve the CleanBC goal of reducing diesel electricity generation and heating in remote communities by 80% by 2030. The CEDR Program will also be co-delivered by Coast Funds who will focus on supporting the eligible remote communities in the Great Bear Rainforest and Haida Gwaii.
Prior to completing an application as an Indigenous organization, please contact the Program Specialist for the program at [email protected] to ensure the project meets eligibility.
Not For Profit Funding Grants
Overview
The Indigenous Resilience and Recovery Grant (IRR Grant) provides funding to Indigenous non-profit organizations that have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and continue to face funding and operational challenges in their post-pandemic recovery. For indigenous led non profit organizations, these challenges are even more pronounced in the context of pre-existing barriers and inequities that inhibit growth, funding certainty, and program & service delivery.
To support B.C. Indigenous non-profit organizations to address critical gaps in their funding, operational and program delivery, the IRR Grant initiative has been created to deliver a collaborative and flexible funding model that distinguishes each indigenous organizations’ unique path towards resiliency and recovery within their own context.
The IRR Grant is indigenous-led and was funded and developed in partnership with the B.C. Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction through the Vancouver Foundation.
The IRR Grant will provide non-repayable grant contributions to Indigenous not-for-profit organizations in response to the economic impacts of COVID-19.
To read the news release announcing this funding initiative, please click here.
Initiative Goals
The goal of the IRR Grant initiative is to:
- Deliver multi-year and flexible funding to indigenous not for profit organizations for pandemic related recovery support; and
- Enhance the organizational and economic resilience of indigenous not for profit organizations during their post-pandemic recovery journey.
Before You Apply
Prior to starting an application, please ensure that both the proposed funding uses and your organization are eligible for funding.
Funding Streams
An application can be submitted to either New Relationship Trust or the Vancouver Foundation based on the following:
- Eligible applicants with annual revenues of $1 million or more (based on most recent audited financial statements), please use the New Relationship Trust guidelines and application.
- Eligible applicants with annual revenues of less than $1 million (based on most recent audited financial statements), please click here and you will be redirected to our funding partner (Vancouver Foundation) guideline and application.
Who Can Apply
- Registered (Indigenous-led) not-for-profit organizations operating in B.C. and primarily serving indigenous populations
- Not-for-profit organizations or like-bodies coming under the authority of a BC First Nation or an Indigenous organization that is a qualified donee listed by the Canada Revenue Agency.
Application Coaching and Submission information
The New Relationship Trust encourages potential applicants to reach out to us, if you have questions, require assistance, or wish to request an application coaching session please email [email protected].
Application Approval and Key Dates
The NRT IRR Grant intake is now closed.
Due to overwhelming demand, the NRT IRR Grant funds are now fully exhausted. If you wish to submit an IRR application, you can do so through our funding partner (Vancouver Foundation), subject to their application key dates. For more information, please Click Here.
Key Dates
- July 13, 2022: Application open
- August 22, 2022: Application Closed
Student Funding
Overview
First Call for 2022 opened May 13, 2022 and closed June 24, 2022 at 4:30pm PST.
Second Call opened on August 26, 2022 and closed on October 7th, 2022 at 4:30pm,.
The bursaries and scholarships program provides financial support to First Nation students to assist them in achieving success in their post-secondary journey. (status or non-status) member of a BC First Nation Community and planning to attend an accredited post-secondary institution on a full-time basis anywhere in the world.
Bursaries are awarded to students pursuing Certificates, Diplomas, Trades and Associate degrees.
Scholarships are awarded at the Undergraduate, Masters, and Doctorate levels.
Who can Apply
First Nation (status or non-status) member of a BC First Nation Community and planning to attend university, college, skilled trades, and technology programs full time at an accredited post-secondary institution anywhere in the world.
Intake Frequency
Two Calls each Calendar year (typically in May and September)
How to Apply
Click the Apply for a Scholarship or Bursary below and follow the instructions.
Scholarships
Scholarships are awarded at the bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate Levels.
Bursaries
Bursaries are awarded to students pursuing certificate, diploma, associate degree and trades programs.
Grant Reporting
Discuss or seek advice on an existing Grant
If you have received a Grant from NRT and are seeking changes or a deadline extension, seeking advice, or want to provide an update on the status of your project, please contact the program specialist for your grant. We are flexible with all project deliverables and reporting timelines and are available to work with you to reschedule timelines as needed.
You received a Grant and want to Complete the Final Report
We request all approved grant recipients to complete a Final Report (download word document below) following the completion of their project. The final reporting is meant to assist NRT in building a legacy of information in supporting future First Nation applicants in terms of successes, challenges, and things to know regarding projects that are similar to past projects.
Please download, complete and submit the Final Report Template below.
Final Report Template
If you have completed your project, please download and complete the brief final report template and then send it to the contact listed on the form.