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Funding Opportunities for First Nations

New Relationship Trust is a BC First Nations nonprofit that provides funding programs designed to support First Nations across B.C. These grants strengthen nation-building, economic growth, education, cultural revitalization, and long-term community wellbeing.

Our feature program is Nation Building, which offers funding to First Nation communities for almost any project or activity that supports their unique path toward self-determined nationhood.

Explore all available grant programs below.

Nation Building

Renata Rovelo, Ianna Lewis, and Julia Stafford from Squamish Nation standing together, representing community-led climate action planning.

  • Focuses on providing funding to First Nation communities to support nation building activities according to their self-determined priorities
  • Up to $120,000 in grant funding over 2 years
  • Eligible Applicant: B.C. First Nations; Tribal Councils

Nation Building

BC Indigenous Clean Energy

Elijah Mecham and two women standing outdoors at Nuxalk Nation, highlighting community leadership in clean energy planning.

  • Focuses on providing funding to First Nation communities for clean energy initiatives related to feasibility, environmental review, project design, demand side management, and small scale installation.
  • Up to $500,000 per project
  • Eligible Applicant: B.C. First Nations

BC Indigenous Clean Energy

Youth Grant

UBC student writing on an iPad, representing Indigenous youth empowerment through the Youth Grant.

  • Focuses on providing funding to youth groups in First Nation communities
  • Up to $8,000 in grant funding per year
  • Eligible Applicant: B.C. First Nations; B.C. First Nation associated organizations

Youth Grant

Elder Grant

Two BC First Nations Elders participating in a community gathering

  • Focuses on providing funding to Elder groups in First Nation communities
  • Up to $8,000 in grant funding per year
  • Eligible Applicant: B.C. First Nations; B.C. First Nation associated organizations

Elder Grant

Language Grant

Gitlaxta'amiks Language Program

  • Focuses on providing funding to revitalize First Nation languages and support activities to create new fluent speakers in First Nation communities
  • Up to $8,000 in grant funding per year
  • Eligible Applicant: B.C. First Nations; B.C. First Nation Language Groups

Language Grant

Education (K-12) Grant

Students at Thornhill using laptops, 3D printers, and coding software through the STEM program supported by the K–12 Education Grant.

  • Focuses on providing funding to kindergarten to grade 12 Indigenous student classrooms
  • Up to $8,000 in grant funding per year
  • Eligible Applicant: B.C. First Nation Schools; B.C. Schools with classes with majority indigenous students

Education (K-12) Grant

BC Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund

Indigenous man standing among indoor cannabis plants at Sugar Cane Cannabis facility, supported by the BC Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund.

  • Focuses on providing funding to First Nation communities and Indigenous businesses & entrepreneurs in B.C. to support economic development in the regulated cannabis industry.
  • Up to $250,000 of capital contribution
  • Eligible Applicant: B.C. First Nations, B.C. First Nation Businesses, and Indigenous (First Nation, Métis, Inuit) entrepreneurs & businesses

BC Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund

Indigenous Co-operative Initiative

Person giving a presentation on Indigenous co-operative business structures.

  • Focuses on providing knowledge, awareness, and materials to First Nation communities on the benefits of establishing co-operative business structures to support their specific community needs.
  • Provides presentations, materials,  and coaching support to set up a Co-operative.
  • Eligible applicant: B.C. First Nations and Indigenous organizations.

Indigenous Co-operative Initiative

Indigenous Labour Market Fund

Woman in a wheelchair at a trade fair, participating in workforce development through Labour Market support.

  • Focuses on providing funding to address specific labour market gaps related to labour market studies, cultural recognition development, and Job fairs.
  • Up to $250,000 amount per Grant.
  • Eligible Applicant: B.C. First Nations, tribal councils, ISET offices, Métis Nation of BC, Indigenous organizations.

Indigenous Labour Market Fund

Guardians and Stewardship Training Initiative (GSTI)

BC landscape representing Indigenous land and governance supported by the Declaration Act Engagement Fund

  • Provide First Nations with funding to access training and education for their Guardians
  • Three streams available, providing up to $50,000, $150,000 and $300,000
  • Eligible applicants: Indian Act First Nations, Modern Treaty First Nations, Self-Government Nations, Tribal Councils, Organizations mandated under Hereditary Chiefs or other traditional governance structures, First Nation Organizations – mandated by one or more BC First Nation(s) to represent their interests with respect to Guardians and Stewardship

Guardians and Stewardship Training Initiative (GSTI)

Be Part of The Solution

Your partnership is crucial to our continued success. Whether you represent a First Nations community, an organization, or simply someone who wants to support meaningful change, there's a role for you.
Join us in empowering BC First Nations today!