Funding Futures
in the Southern Gulf Islands
September 2023| Sustainable Funding Initiative
Photo by A. Meeres

This program funds projects that empower seniors in their communities and contribute to improving their health and well-being.

Eligible Applicants

Your organization must be 1 of the following types:
  • not-for-profit organization
  • municipality
  • provincial or territorial government, institution or Crown Corporation
  • Indigenous organization including band councils, tribal councils, or self-government entities
  • coalition, network or committee
  • research organization or institute
  • educational institution
  • public health and social services institution

Examples of eligible activities include:
  • organize weekly in-person sessions for seniors to provide them with support or training and the opportunity to socialize
  • organize financial literacy seminars to local seniors inviting financial experts to give tips on how to manage finances
  • provide sessions on how to manage online banking and how to avoid financial scams
  • capital assistance for age-friendly exercise equipment that would make it easier for seniors to remain actively engaged
  • teach seniors the tools they need to connect with others online
  • set up seniors led meetings with other seniors, creating an online support network of seniors
  • transportation to provide a personal service to seniors:
  • transportation services for appointments
  • home visit
  • service call
  • meal delivery service
  • renovations and repairs to facilities owned by the organization that specifically run programs and activities for seniors

Funding: up to $25,000

Deadline: September 28, 2023
StrongerBC Future Skills Grant
 
The StrongerBC future skills grant is open to British Columbians aged 19 years or older – regardless of financial need – and covers up to $3,500 per person for eligible short-term skills training at public post-secondary institutions.

The grant will help learners access eligible short-term skills training to further their careers, upgrade their skills and enhance their productivity, giving them access to well-paid, high opportunity occupations. Learners can choose from a growing list of more than 400 programs.

The Commemorate Canada component provides funding to initiatives that support commemorations of national interest in order to recognize significant aspects of Canada’s history.

Commemorate Canada objectives are to support activities that:
  • enable Canadians to recognize events, people, places, symbols, anniversaries, and accomplishments that have played a key role in Canadian history;
  • enhance knowledge and understanding of the shared history of Canada; and
  • increase opportunities to participate in various commemorative activities of national significance.

Eligible Applicants:
Canadian not-for-profit organizations such as corporations, trusts, cooperatives or unincorporated associations
  • Canadian for-profit organizations (partnerships, trusts, joint ventures, etc.) whose proposed projects are non-commercial in nature
  • Canadian public education establishments
  • Canadian provincial/territorial, municipal governments and their institutions

To be eligible for funding, your project must meet all of the following criteria:
  • be conceived and take place in Canada;
  • relate to an anniversary of national significance;
  • highlight a 25th, 50th, 75th, 100th or subsequent anniversary in 25-year increments
  • include an educational component;
  • be national in scope; and
  • be free and accessible to the public.
  • Additional requirements for projects involving monuments or commemorative plaques: you must own the site or have an agreement for the use of the land.

Funding Amount: Undisclosed

Deadline: October 1, 2023
Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program

The Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP) supports rural economic development projects that promote economic capacity building, economic diversification, resilience, clean economy opportunities, and infrastructure development.

Eligible Applicants:
Eligible lead applicants for all funding categories (REDIP-ED, REDIP-EC) include:
  • Local Governments
  • Regional Districts
  • Indigenous communities and organizations
  • Indigenous Development Corporations
  • Not-for-profits

Project Streams
1. Economic Capacity (REDIP-EC): Aims to build the economic capacity of small rural communities and provide or improve their ability to support economic diversification

Eligible project types include: 
  • Community assessment projects such as identifying community economic development capacity, community needs and/or opportunities. 
  • Capacity building projects such as strengthening local economic development capacity through targeted coaching, job shadowing, mentorship, and/or professional development. 
  • Engagement projects such as community consultation, project identification and/or fostering in- house economic development services and resources. 
  • Staff recruitment and retention projects such as ones that reduce staff turnover, enhance stability, or temporarily increase staff positions, time and/or resources.

2. Economic Diversification (REDIP-ED) REDIP-ED has two types of grants:
  • The Development grant aims to support the planning of programs, services and infrastructure projects.
  • The Implementation grant aims to fund the implementation of programs or services, or the construction of infrastructure resulting in new, upgraded or preserved local asset(s) 


Funding:
  • REDIP-EC: up to $100,000
  • REDIP-ED: up to $100,000 for development and $1,000,000 for implementation

Deadline: October 30, 2023
BC Electric Bike Rebate Program

Income-qualified rebates for residents of BC

Starting June 1, 2023, BC residents can get a rebate when they buy a new electric bike. By basing the rebate amount on income, we can make e-bikes a clean transportation choice that is more affordable and accessible for everyone

The youth innovation component encourages youth to find accessibility barriers in their communities. A Youth Accessibility Leader may approach your organization to promote this program and encourage you to apply for funding.

Eligible Organizations:
The following organizations are eligible to apply for funding under the EAF Youth Innovation Component:
  • not-for-profit organizations
  • small businesses (99 full-time equivalent employees or less)
  • Indigenous organizations
  • municipalities
  • territorial governments

Project Requirements:
For your project proposal to be eligible for funding, you must clearly explain:
  • what barriers to accessibility and/or safety for persons with disabilities you have found
  • how your project addresses the accessibility and safety needs of persons with disabilities
  • how your project increases the opportunities for persons of disabilities to participate in and contribute to their community and/or a workplace
  • which programs, service or employment opportunities persons with disabilities will be able to access after your project is in place

Project Examples:
Examples of previously funded Youth Innovation projects include:
  • installation of automatic door openers
  • purchase of a tandem bike for persons with visual disabilities
  • construction of accessible garden beds
  • purchase of para-hockey sledges
  • installation of an FM hearing loop system
  • purchase of all-terrain beach wheelchairs and Mobi-mats
  • installation of an audio-visual fire alarm system
  • purchase of noise-cancelling headphones
  • modifying a website to make it accessible for persons with disabilities
  • purchase of a pool wheelchair
  • installation of the Dragon Naturally Speaking speech recognition software
  • purchase of a braille keyboard

Funding: up to $10,000

Deadline: October 10, 2023 by 1:00pm PST

A new provincial cost-share funding opportunity that aims to increase farm-level climate resilience to extreme weather events. 
Eligible applicants: a new provincial cost-share funding opportunity that aims to increase farm-level climate resilience to extreme weather events. 
Eligible activities: Funding is available under three streams for the first pilot intake:

Deadline: The Spring 2023 intake for the Program will remain open until all program funds have been committed.

Contact: Extreme.Weather.Preparedness@gov.bc.ca or 1 888-221-7141.
We are looking for feedback on our program. What support does your organization need? What training are you interested in? Which of our services have you found the most useful?

Each year, HCTF provides funding for Enhancement & Restoration Grants.

These grants are provided to projects that
  • Focus on native freshwater fish, wildlife, and their habitats;
  • Have the potential to achieve a significant conservation outcome;
  • Align with our purposes as laid out in the Wildlife Act.

Eligible Applicants 

HCTF Enhancement & Restoration grants are available to anyone who has a good idea that benefits fish, wildlife and habitat in British Columbia. Proponents can include:
  • Provincial government agencies
  • First Nations
  • Municipal/Regional government
  • NGO (Non-government organizations)
  • Academic Institutions
  • Individuals (consultants who apply should provide their credentials and explain their experience in completing the proposed work)
  • Industry

Eligible Projects 

Within this grant program, there are sub programs to apply to dependant on the specific project you are seeking funding for. These sub programs include: 

▪ Fisheries
▪ Wildlife

Please consult the linked program guide to determine which program makes the most sense for your organization to apply to. 

Funding:
  • Seed funding amount of $5,000
  • More funds available for multi-year projects, dependant on proposal. Previous grants awarded range from $10,000 - $100,000.
Deadline: November 4, 2023, at 4:30 PM PST
Financial Statement Boot Camp
Brought to you by Charity Village

What’s a balance sheet, income statement, and statement of cash flows and why should you care? During this webinar we’ll do a detailed walkthrough of financial statements and talk through accounting fundamentals like cash-based accounting versus accrual accounting, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), and Accounting Standards for Not-for-Profit Organizations. We will also cover different types of revenue recognition and why it’s important to NPOs. If you are running or working at a Not-for-Profit Organization and have been intimidated by financial statements, this is your opportunity to get up to speed.
Learning Objectives:
  • The core financial reports and how to use them.
  • Cash-based accounting versus accrual accounting.
  • Revenue recognition and why it’s important to NPOs.

Date: Thursday, October 12 at 10am PT (webinar is 1 hour in length)
Cost: Free
Location: Online
BC Conservation & Biodiversity Awards

The awards are granted annually for actionable initiatives in BC which contribute to the improvement of BC’s natural environment and the preservation of its wilderness and biodiversity. Initiatives which focus on past achievement or on multiple projects will not be accepted for review. A completed application form is required to be submitted by e-mail.

Eligibility: Qualified applicants must be BC based charities and the initiatives must take place in BC.

Funding: $10,000-$50,000. All funds must be deployed by the end of the year following the year of the award.

Deadline: December 31, 2023
Community Placemaking Program

The Community Placemaking 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.

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

Eligible Projects:
To qualify for funding, a project must: 
  • Create a new outdoor public amenity/area that contributes to increased business district vitality, visitor attraction and/or resident engagement and quality of life 
  • Demonstrate community collaboration and align with existing assets, strengths and priorities 
  • Be located in, adjacent to, or serve as a gateway to downtown core, main street, business district or commercial area  
  • Support new or increased economic activity in the area in question 
  • “Shovel-ready” initiative/business case with clear and broad public economic benefits beyond any one organization or business 
  • Implement or complement a broader vitality “concept” 
  • Provide the “use case” and/or plan to bring the amenity to life
Eligible costs may include: 
  • Standard capital expenditures 
  • Art installations, interpretive signage, or other capital costs integral to the concept realization
  • Landscaping, beautification elements integral to the concept realization
  • Technology and equipment required for hybrid digital/capital initiatives
  • Construction costs, installation costs or required professional labour  
  • Final design costs and printing costs for interpretive elements (based on existing concept design) 
  • Professional third-party project management costs 
Funding: up to $50,000 

Deadline: Applications are accepted on a continued basis
Community Gaming Grants

Community Gaming Grants provide $140 million annually to not-for-profit organizations throughout B.C., to support their delivery of ongoing programs and services that meet the needs of their communities.
 
Eligible Applicants
  • Is not-for-profit (including designated Community Service Cooperatives)
  • Not-for-profit organizations are not required to be provincially or federally incorporated. However, provincially incorporated not-for-profit organizations must be in good standing with the B.C. Registries and Online Services
  • Organization’s primary purpose is to operate for community benefit.
  • Provides programs that benefit the community and not solely its members’ interest.
  • Please see Program Guide for more Organizational Eligibility Criteria

Human and Social Services

Organizations within this sector deliver programs that improve the quality of life in a community by supporting the wellbeing of children, youth, families and/ or seniors; by addressing equality issues (e.g., gender, LGBTQ2S+, race, etc.); by addressing the unmet needs of under-served groups; or, by providing public outreach and education regarding important social issues.

Examples of eligible Human and Social Services programs may include:
  • Child and youth care and support (e.g., child care, kids’ camps, after school programming, Scouts, Cadets, 4-H, etc.).
  • Services for people living with a disability or health condition.
  • Poverty reduction, food security and short-term housing programs (e.g., food banks, emergency shelters, transition housing programs, life skills, etc.).
  • Mental health and counselling services (e.g., public education, outreach, substance use treatment, crisis services, etc.).
  • Community building (e.g., neighbourhood houses, seniors’ centres, services for newcomers, etc.).
  • Indigenous wellness and community services (e.g., youth-elder programs, Friendship Centre programming, etc.).


Funding Amount
Local organizations: up to $125,000 per year

Deadline: November 30th
A For-Profit Mindset for Nonprofit Success

How can nonprofits accelerate their impact and move the needle on intractable problems? Looking to bring the urgency of a profit motive to every initiative, inclusive finance promoter Tolu Oyekan shows how scalable, data-driven solutions are expanding access to banking and financial services across Africa -- and shares the mindset that can help any business meet its goals with speed and precision.
Cultivating Safe Spaces
Hosted by Volunteer Victoria
This workshop is specifically designed for child & youth workers.

Community-Based Youth Programmer play a key role in creating caring, transformative and supportive spaces for youth to connect, learn and thrive. The Cultivating Safe Spaces workshop is based on the work by Elaine Alec and helps people to understand what decolonizing looks like in practice when working with teams and groups.

Cultivating Safe Spaces gives you the tools to support meaningful relationships and conversations, deepening understanding so people can communicate and contribute effectively and actively.

The workshop provides participants with the 4 necessary conditions and 4 protocols required to cultivate safe spaces to promote diversity and inclusion in planning, program delivery, group processes, facilitation and much more.

Date: Wednesday, Sept. 27th, 1-3pm
Cost: $0-$15
Location: Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary

The Province of BC through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport invests to help communities, organizations, and volunteers enhance their event hosting capacity, generate economic and tourism impact, and support sport excellence and athlete development pathways. 

Eligible Applicants

Applications may be submitted by a not-for-profit organization that is operating as:  
  • National Sport Organization (NSO) 
  • Provincial Sport Organization (PSO) registered in BC 
  • Community Organization, Club or Association (LSOs) 
  • BC municipality, regional district, other local government body, First Nations or community associations 
  • Federally or Provincially Registered Society 

Eligible Events

The event must: 
  • occur between December 1, 2023, through to June 30, 2025
  • only be used for event operating costs
  • take place in British Columbia;
  • be sanctioned by an appropriate, recognized organization (PSO, NSO, International Federation (IF), etc.); 
  • be identified as part of the PSO’s and/or NSO’s Canadian Sport for Life implementation plan
  • see the appendix for a list of eligible sports

Funding: between $1,000 and $35,000

Deadline: September 29, 2023

The Local Grant program provides financial assistance to organizations who provide direct support to family caregivers in communities across Canada.

Eligible Applicants:
To be considered for this grant, each applicant must:
  • Be a registered Canadian charity
  • Be supporting family caregivers at the community level
  • Have the capacity to develop or continue work that is applicable to care partners in your community

Eligible Activities:

Funding is intended to go towards operational support for the following types of local programs: 
  • Educational programs
  • Transportation
  • Meal assistance
  • Respite care
  • Emotional, financial and community support
  • Healthcare navigation to other types of vital assistance

Funding: $7,500
Deadline: October 6, 2023, by 11:59pm MT
Upcoming Events
GALIANO ISLAND
PENDER ISLAND
SALTSPRING IS.
SATURNA ISLAND
SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORTS

The Innovator Skills Initiative is designed to increase diversity in the tech sector and help B.C.-based businesses fill talent shortages and grow. The program provides grants to employers that are hiring for tech or tech-related roles.

Employer Eligibility:
  • A B.C.-based technology business/organization hiring for a business or tech role
  • A B.C.-based non-tech business/organization, including public body and Indigenous community, hiring for a tech role

Employee Eligibility: Self-identifies as under-represented (Indigenous, Black & people of colour, 2SLGBTQQIA+, Neuro-diverse, Non-binary, Persons living with a visible or invisible disability, Women, etc.)
  • Must be living in B.C. and be eligible to work in B.C (16 years or older)
  • Must have completed their training or education, whether at a post-secondary institution or through other recognized pathways on or after December 1, 2019 and before the placement start date.

Placement Requirements 
  • Must be at minimum a 4-month period
  • Must start no earlier than April 1, 2023 and end no later than October 31, 2023
  • Must be at minimum an average of 15 hours per week
  • Must not be a role involved with directly generating profit, such as sales

Funding: A maximum of one grant of up to $10,000 per candidate per company

Deadline: October 20, 2023

This program supports high-growth businesses that are scaling up and producing innovative goods, services or technologies. It offers interest-free, repayable funding to incorporated businesses.

Eligible applicants: open to incorporated high-growth businesses that have been operating in British Columbia for a minimum of 2 years. Preference may be given to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with less than 500 full-time employees (FTEs).

Eligible activities: List of eligible costs found here.

Funding amount: Up to 50% of eligible project costs may be requested from PacifiCan: minimum $200,000; maximum $5 million per project.

Contact: 1-888-338-9378 or at info@pacifican.gc.ca.


Deadline: September 22, 2023, at 12:00 pm PST.

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

The Proof of Concept Program supports projects that help to establish the commercial feasibility of innovative natural products or technologies (Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 4-9) to advance development, commercialization, or de-risk subsequent investment.

NPC defines natural products or technologies as biologically-based innovations that leverage or enhance the use of naturally-occurring molecules. NPC is looking for highly innovative products or technologies with proprietary intellectual property. The innovation must benefit people, animals and the planet, and may be applied to a range of industries, including: food production and value-added agriculture; bioproducts and sustainability; human nutrition, health and wellness; animal health and nutrition; and water and waste management.

Business Eligibility:

For companies, the Program is intended to demonstrate commercial feasibility of products and technologies.
For academic research institutes, the Program is intended to move a product or technology from intellectual property disclosure to near term spin-out and/or licensing opportunities.


Eligible Activities:

The Program does not support basic research, but rather supports activities that demonstrate commercial potential via animal, field, demonstration, or human trials.


Funding:
Canadian SMEs and start-up companies and academic research institutes, can receive up to 40% of the cost of the proof of concept project to a maximum of $250,000 over a maximum 18-month project period. The applicant will be required to contribute 60% of the cost over the project period.

The Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund will help ensure that more women entrepreneurs have the tools and financing they need to succeed. The Government of Canada has selected several delivery organizations to provide loans to women entrepreneurs.

Funding Amount: up to $50,000
Total Mom Pitch

The $50,000 small business pitch and recognition awards program for Canadian moms

Total Mom Pitch is an award-winning entrepreneurship program. Once a year,
Canadian moms are invited to submit the vision for their business.

Applicants will move through the voting process, where the top 100 small businesses will get put through a business accelerator program and get the opportunity for national media recognition and visibility.

The top five finalists will be selected and invited to pitch their business idea live at the Canadian Women Entrepreneur Industry Gala (CWEgala)..

The prizes include non-dilutive funding, business services, and more.

With Canadian consumers moving online at a rapid pace, the Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) can help get your business online, grow your e-commerce presence, or help digitalize your business’ operations.
The Grow Your Business Online program is designed to help small businesses take advantage of e-commerce opportunities and reach more customers online.

Business Eligibility

The Grow Your Business Online Grant is offered in British Columbia through Small Business BC and is currently open for applications from businesses that meet all the following criteria:
  • Is a for-profit business (including for-profit social enterprises and co-operatives)
  • Is a registered or incorporated business
  • Is a consumer-facing business
  • Can be accessed by consumers or provides in-person services to consumers
  • Has at least one employee (other than the business owner) or had at least $30,000 in annual revenue in the most recent tax year (2021)
  • Must commit to maintaining a digital adoption strategy for six months after participating in the program
  • Must consent to participating in follow-up surveys, having this information shared with the Government of Canada (ISED and Statistics Canada) and having the name of their business published as a recipient of funding

The $2,400 micro-grant is a reimbursement-style grant so funding will be issued after your spending plan is confirmed, grant agreement is received, and eligible receipts/proof of payments are submitted and approved.

No Established Deadline

By filling out the IFundWomen Universal Grant Application, you put your business in the running for all the grant opportunities that come their way.

IFundWomen has deployed nearly $10M in grants to entrepreneurs on behalf of our awesome brand partners like Visa, Caress, Johnnie Walker, adidas, American Express, and the list goes on.

In addition to upcoming grants, you will be the first to hear about new funding opportunities, and receive additional resources from the IFundWomen community.
The application typically takes 5–10 minutes to fill out.

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
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Organization Spotlight...
Ptarmigan Arts

We are Ptarmigan Arts, a community arts organization based on Pender Island, S,DAYES, that delivers arts programming, workshops and events to the Southern Gulf Islands and Greater Victoria. Our focus on community building through the arts ensures that arts education and opportunities are readily available to all community members. Our work helps folks live healthier, happier, and more creative lives.

Upcoming Events

Culture Weekend: Sept 29 to Oct 1

FRIDAY at 7:15pm join us for a screening of the movie Showing Up at the Community Hall to get ready for Fall Crawl 2023!
SATURDAY and SUNDAY from 11am-4pm take part in the self guided tour of Pender Artist's creative spaces on the Fall Crawl Studio Tour 2023.
SATURDAY EVENING at 7:15pm join us for a screening of the film BEANS in honour of the National Day of Truth & Reconciliation.
SUNDAY EVENING at 7pm snag tickets to the Elliott BROOD and Shred Kelly concert as they stop at Pender along their Across the Great Divide Tour!

Pender Island Short Film Festival: November 4th

Join us for an evening of films from filmmakers across the Southern Gulf Islands, Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland. Please submit your film by OCTOBER 15th to penderfilmfest@gmail.com, we can't wait to see your creations!

Find out all the info and secure your tickets at ptarmiganarts.org
Register for a Program

We have programs for all ages, in all sorts of artistic disciplines. See what’s coming up and register!
Become a Member

Growing our membership base allows us to apply for more funding to continue expanding our artistic offerings for the community. Together we are cultivating creative community!
Southern Gulf Islands Sustainable Funding Initiative