Welcome to our comprehensive guide to upcoming funding opportunities for non-profits and businesses in the Cowichan region. In an era shaped by the challenges of climate change and the ever-evolving landscape of tourism, agriculture and other critical business sectors, securing financial support is paramount. Explore our curated list of grants designed to empower organizations and businesses like yours to thrive amidst these changes and make a lasting impact on our community!
1. BC Tourism Climate Resiliency Initiative
The BC Tourism Climate Resiliency Initiative (BCTCRI) has launched to support sustainability and climate resilience for the BC tourism industry as they face the impacts of climate change:
- Offers free, tailored support to tourism businesses looking to incorporate environmental sustainability or climate adaptation measures into their operations. An experienced program advisor and supporting experts will work with tourism businesses to develop a sustainability and climate adaptation road map and perform detailed assessments to identify the most impactful, customized measures for climate resiliency.
- Deadline: February 2024
Project Two: Micro-Grants to Support Sustainability and Climate Adaptation Plan Implementation
- Provides micro-grant funding of up to $15,000 for tourism businesses that are ready to build on their sustanability or climate adaptation plan to implement a project or obtain sustainability certificaton. Those who already have a sustainability and climate adaptation road map in place are eligble to apply. An additional micro-grant intake is planned from the fall of 2024 to provide future opportunities for tourism businesses that need time to prepare or enhance their sustainability and climate adaptation plan or road map.
- Deadline: March 8, 2024
2. Extreme Weather Preparedness for Agriculture Program
This is a new Provincial cost-share funding opportunity that aims to increase farm-level climate resilience to extreme weather events. Funding is available under three streams for the first pilot intake.
- Wildfire Preparedness Stream
- Applicants are required to first conduct a FireSmart Critical Infrastructure Assessment with a pre-approved Firesmart Professional before November 15, 2023. The cost will be reimbursed to a maximum of $2,000 per applicant.
- Applicants will be eligible to apply for select on-farm projects to address recommendations from the assessment.
- Wildfire approved applicants may receive between 25-50% cost-share reimbursements for selected on-farm projects up to $35,000.
- Flooding Preparedness Stream
- This stream targets farm and ranch businesses that are at risk from flooding and provides cost-share payments to increase on-farm flood resiliency.
- Approved applicants may recieve between 30-80% cost-share reimbursements for select on-farm projects up to $35,000.
- A Critical Infrastructure Assessment is not required for this stream.
- Extreme Heat Preparedness Stream
- This stream targets farmers who are most at risk of extreme heat events and aims to support infrastructure and equipment upgrades that will reduce on-farm vulnerabilities.
- Approved applicants may recieve between 20-60% cost share reimbursements for projects up to a maximum of $35,000.
- A Critical Infrastructure Assessment is not required for this stream.
- Application Period Closes when funds are fully committed.
The BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund helps manufacturing companies modernize, innovate, and grow by providing funding for capital projects in all regions in BC, particularly in communities affected by economic impacts or downturns. Businesses, for-profits, and entities with for-profit manufacturing operations, including First Nations and Indigenous-and First Nation-owned enterprises, are all eligible to apply. There are two funding streams:
- Project Readiness: Funding to complete final-stage businesses and project planning, including operational and technical assessments with up to $50,000 in funding.
- Capital Investment: Funding to invest in new or renovated manufacturing infrastructure, technology, equipment, and processes, including renovating idle industrial buildings such as an unused mill site.
- Application Period closes when funds are fully committed.
4. Community Placemaking Program- ICET
This ICET program provides funding for communities to collaboratively reimagine and revitalize public spaces to create more welcoming, respectful, walkable, safe, healthy and engaging public spaces for everyone, focusing on the design and management of these places.
- This funding is open to Indigenous communities, including Indigenous development corporations, local and regional governments, and not-for-profit organizations.
- This fund supports projects up to $50,000.
- Application period closes when funds are fully committed.
5. Investment Readiness Program- ICET
This ICET program invests in the development of targeted strategies and tools to support and strengthen community and regional economic diversification and investment attraction, as well as strategic regional collaboration initiatives. This program is open to Indigenous communities including, Indigenous development corporations, local and regional governments, and not-for-profit organizations. There are six funding streams:
- 1) Economic Development Strategy
- 2) Quick Start
- 3) Technology Attraction Strategy
- 4) Sector Development
- 5) Investment Attraction
- 6) Regional Collaboration
- The fund can provide up to $30,000 to cover up to 50% of eligible costs.
- Application period closes when fund are fully committed.
The Heritage Legacy Fund supports a financial assistance program for Heritage Awareness, Heritage Conservation, and Heritage Planning. Program funds are used for community initiatives that conserve and increase the understanding and appreciation of heritage resources. Heritage resources may include existing heritage buildings, structures, sites, cemeteries, districts, cultural landscapes, or intangible heritage such as language and customs.
- Eligible applicants include, registered societies, non-profits, charities, local governments, First Nations governments and organizations, and school boards may apply for funding.
- There are four funding streams with varying funding up to $50,000.
- Deadline: April 26, 2024
7. Arts Impact Grant-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 specific projects or groups or related activities that will provide the most meaningful impact on their organization, artistic practice, or to the community.
- Maximum funding request of $30,000.
- Eligible applicants include, arts and culture organizations, Indigenous community organizations, and First Nations governments that offer regular arts and culture activities.
- The BC Arts Council is committed to targeted investment in underserved and equity-deserving organizations and the development of equity support initiatives.
- Deadline: April 2, 2024
8. Law Foundation of BC Indigenous Justice Grants
The Law Foundation of BC is excited to announce $15 million in total funding available to support community-led Indigenous justice initiatives through two Grants:
- The Weaving Justice Grant Call provides support for communities to use the law to restore power in ways that bring people together.
- The Community Justice Grant Call provides support for communities to build transformative systems of Community Justice that are healing-based, trauma-informed and culturally grounded.
- Applications will be accepted until March 8, 2024.
9. Indigenous Forestry Scholarship Program
The BC First Nations Forestry Council has funding available for First Nations, Inuit, or Metis students interested in enrolling in full-time postsecondary programs related to forestry technicians, natural resources, environmental technology, business management, business administration, geographic information systems, and forestry trades. The program is delivered in partnership with BC Timber Sales, BC Wildfire Service, Mosaic Forest Management, Tolko Industries Ltd., and Western Forest Products Inc., and the Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program (ISETP).
- The program offers work placements and one-on-one mentorship with industry partners.
- Funding includes tuition, living scholarship, paid summer work terms, and mentorship support from your local Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program centre.
- Deadline: March 2024
10. Canadian Internet Registration Authority Net Good Grants
The Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) Net Good Grants funds community-led internet projects to build a resilient, trusted and secure internet for all Canadians. The grants fund research, network planning and installed solutions. Infrastructure solutions that CIRA will consider funding with grants must be community-led and community-owned, contributing to long-term community development.
- CIRA grants can be used for feasibility studies and planning, matching funding on more extensive infrastructure initiatives, and community capacity building.
- The funding amount is a maximum of $100,000.
- Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, registered charities, Indigenous communities, and Academics at a Canadian college or university.
- Deadline: April 10, 2024
11. BC Fairs, Festivals and Events Fund
The Province is providing $15 million in one-time grants to eligible events through the BC Fairs, Festivals and Events Fund. Event organizers will be able to tackle ongoing challenges that the Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sports sector faces.
- Eligible events include sporting events, arts and culture events and festivals, community celebrations and gatherings, and agri-tourism events.
- Examples of eligible expenses include operational costs, Indigenous consultation and honourariums, venue rental, marketing, wages and promotion.
- Event budgets must demonstrate a minimum operating budget of $10,000.
- Events happening between April 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025, are eligible for funding.
- Deadline: February 25, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.
12. CVRD Sport Tourism Event Grant: Intake 1
Through the CVRD Sport Tourism Event Grant program, the CVRD provides up to $30,000 annually in sport event grants to community organizations hosting regional, provincial, national or international events. The Grant program is now accepting applications for Intake 1 for events taking place from July 1 to December 31, 2024. The grant supports athletic events that contibute to the vibrancy and economic growth of our community.
- Preference is given to events that attract overnight visitors from outside the region, events that are held during non-peak times, championship events, and those organized by non-profits.
- Grant amounts range from $500 to $3000 per event application.
- Additional funding may be available for larger-scale events.
- Deadline: April 1, 2024
Please feel free to reach out to us as you prepare your applications or if you are looking for a letter of support. We wish you all the best as you navigate your options and hope you find success in securing funding opportunities for your Cowichan business or organization!
