The following is an e-mail update from the CRD Community Grant Writer which profiles current and upcoming grant funding opportunities.  For more information, or if your organization would like assistance in applying for any of the grants below, please contact the Community Grant Writer.

COVID-19

During this unprecedented time of COVID-19, we have created a resource page for businesses with links to information, funding, and support. Please visit our small business resources page.

January 6, 2022

COVID-19 Closure Relief Grant – NEW

The COVID-19 Closure Grant will provide fully funded grants to businesses that had to close due to the December 22 2021 Provincial Health Officer orders. Applications are expected to open in January and will stay open until the end of February. The $1,000 to $10,000 grant can be used to cover expenses like rent, insurance, employee wages, maintenance and utilities.

To apply visit the program website.

COVID-19 Microbusiness Grant – Metis Financial Corporation BC – EXTENDED APPLY NOW

Métis microbusinesses such as home-based businesses, sole proprietorships, small family-based businesses qualify for grants. The COVID-19 pandemic has had severe impacts on Métis entrepreneurs and their families that rely on the income generated from those businesses..

To apply visit the program website.

Indigenous People’s Resilience Fund

This program provides immediate financial support of $5,000 to $30,000 for projects that are serving indigenous populations as they manage the impacts of COVID-19. Eligible projects will clearly address a pressing social inclusion or well-being need caused by COVID-19. Intake is on a rolling basis.

To apply visit the program website.

Canadian Emergency Rent Subsidy for Businesses– New Criteria

To apply for CERS, you must have a qualifying property. Only certain expenses you pay for qualifying properties are eligible for CERS.

Next Application Deadline: January 27, 2022

To apply visit the program website.

Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy – Updates November 19, 2020

As a Canadian employer who has seen a drop in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be eligible for a subsidy to cover part of your employee wages, retroactive to March 15. This subsidy will enable you to re-hire workers, help prevent further job losses, and ease you back into normal operations.

Next Application Deadline: January 27, 2022

To apply visit the program website.

Indigenous Community Business Fund

Indigenous Tourism BC in partnership with Indigenous Services Canada and the Aboriginal Financial Institutions in BC are delivering $5 million dollar Tourism and Hospitality Fund through the Indigenous Community Business Fund.  The fund will provide non-repayable grant contributions of up to $25,000 per community to First Nation and Inuit community-owned and Metis collectively owned businesses and microbusinesses.

To apply visit the program website.

Responsive Neighborhood Small Grant – Vancouver Foundation

The Responsive NSG grant stream provides grants of up to $500 for projects that connect people socially or involve sharing skills or talents. Projects must comply with public health orders for physical distancing.

This is available to all BC residents, the end date will be determined based on public health orders.

To apply visit the program website.

Supports for Workers and Employers

Canada Summer Jobs – Government of Canada

Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) provides wage subsidies to employers to create employment for secondary and post-secondary students. Canada Summer Jobs welcomes applications from small businesses, not-for-profit employers and public sector that provide quality summer jobs for students. CSJ provides funding to not-for-profit organizations, public-sector employers and small businesses with 50 or fewer full-time employees to create summer job opportunities for young people aged 15 to 30 years who are full-time students intending to return to their studies in the next school year.

Application deadline: January 25, 2022

To apply visit the program website.

Young Canada Works in Heritage Organizations – Government of Canada

Young Canada Works in Heritage Organizations is a summer job program. Eligible employers may benefit from wage subsidies and access to a pool of talented youth with innovative ideas and competitive skills. Positions last from six to 16 weeks and students must work 30 to 40 hours per week. Students with a disability are eligible for part-time work.

Application deadline: January 21, 2022

Please visit the program website.

Wage Subsidy – Work BC

The WorkBC Wage Subsidy program provides funding to eligible employers to hire, provide work experience and on-the-job training. Both unemployed individuals and employers in B.C. can benefit from WorkBC Wage Subsidy.

For more information visit the program website.

Job Placement Coordination Offices

Job placement offices are opening in five interior communities hardest hit by mill closures: 100 Mile House (now open); Fort St. James; Fort St. John; Mackenzie; and Clearwater. These offices have dedicated people ready to support forestry workers in their communities. The program is designed to match up workers with new opportunities.

To apply visit the program website.

Get Youth Working! – Government of Canada – Natural Disaster/ Pandemic Hiring Funding Available

Connecting BC youth to employment opportunities. The Program offers employers a $3,600 Wage Subsidy incentive to hire eligible youth 17 to 29 years of age. The Get Youth Working! Program funding is provided by the Government of Canada through the Canada-British Columbia Job Fund.

In response to the recent natural disasters and ongoing pandemic in BC, you can now request funding for employment that may be 3 months or less.

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

To apply visit the program website.

Experience Matters! – Government of Canada

The Experience Matters! Program offers eligible employers in BC a negotiated Wage Subsidy as an incentive to hire eligible job seekers aged 55+.

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

To apply visit the program website.

Job Creation Partnerships – WorkBC

Job Creation Partnerships support funding to organizations and provide community benefit while creating jobs to assist unemployed EI eligible clients with opportunities to gain meaningful work experience. Projects benefit the job seeker, community, and the local economy. However, the primary focus must be on helping the job seeker. Projects may last up to a year, and organizations may be reimbursed for project-specific overhead costs incurred (e.g. materials and supplies, rental of equipment, and other eligible expenses negotiated with program officials).

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

To apply visit the program website.

B.C. Employer Training Grant – WorkBC

The B.C. Employer Training Grant (ETG) supports skills training to address provincial labour market needs.

The goal of the ETG is to help British Columbians access the skills training they need to adapt to the changing requirements of jobs and the labour market while encouraging employer involvement in the training of their employees.

Employers are eligible to receive up to $300,000 per fiscal year (April 1 – March 31).

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

To apply visit the program website.

Digital Skills for Youth – Innovate BC

The Digital Skills for Youth (DS4Y) program, funded by the Government of Canada, provides up to $26,000 for digital skills training so youth can successfully transition to the workforce​. The program helps to increase the employability and marketability of youth in British Columbia, as well as match underemployed youth with SMEs and non-profits in all regions of the province.

To apply visit the program website.

Jobs and Growth Fund in Western Canada – Government of Canada

The Jobs and Growth Fund provides funding to businesses and organizations to help create jobs and position local economies for long-term growth.

To apply visit the program website.

Community Grants

Community Development Grants – Northern Development Initiative Trust

NDIT offers a variety of community development grant streams. This funding is available for non-profit organizations, municipal and regional governments. Different streams are earmarked for specific projects and offer a varying dollar value.

Application Deadline: February 11, 2022

To apply visit the program website.

Grant Writing Support – Northern Development Initiative Trust

The Grant Writing Support program provides annual grant funding to support a grant writing position in a local government or First Nation band within the Trust’s service region. The grant writer supports communities by preparing funding applications to agencies, foundations and government programs in order to access more funding dollars to support crucial economic development projects and initiatives throughout the region. Additionally, the grant writer provides additional capacity to support local non-profits with grant application research and writing in order to pursue community funding priorities.

Applications Deadline: January 31, 2022

To apply visit the program website.

Equipment Grant Program – Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council

All First Nations, Métis Chartered Communities and Friendship Centres are eligible to apply for the Equipment Grant.  In addition, community not-for-profit organizations that deliver Indigenous sport, recreation and/or physical activity programs are eligible to apply. The equipment must be used to promote healthy active lifestyles for Indigenous communities by reducing barriers and increasing access to sport, recreation and physical activity programs. Grant applications can range for requests from $500 up to $3000.

Application Deadline: January 31, 2022

To apply visit the program website.

Sponsorship Fund – Community Futures North Cariboo

Community Futures provides sponsorship of up to $500 in funding for projects or events that help make Quesnel a better place to live and/or support business and economic development.

Application Deadline: January 31, 2022

To apply visit the program website.

Business and Entrepreneurship Fund – Community Futures North Cariboo

Community Futures’ Business and Entrepreneurship Fund provides up to $5000 in funding for projects that directly support job creation and economic diversification in the North Cariboo region. Examples include projects that result in: The replacement of goods and/or services that are being purchased from outside of the region with locally sourced goods and/or services; Export opportunities for local business; Increased tourism/visitor revenues; New revenues and/or cost savings for business, and/or Increased business and entrepreneurial skills.

Application Deadline: January 31, 2022

To apply visit the program website.

Facilities and Equipment Fund – Community Futures North Cariboo

Community Futures’ Facilities and Equipment Fund provides up to $2500 in funding for projects that support business and employee recruitment and retention by making Quesnel a better place to live.

Application Deadline: January 31, 2022

To apply visit the program website.

Help for Evacuees – BC Hydro

Residential and commercial customers who are affected by an evacuation order are eligible to receive a credit for the electricity consumed for the duration of the time they’re out of their home, if the order is for five days or longer. We also offer flexible bill payment plans for when you’re able to return home.

To apply visit the program website.

2021 BC Wildfire Assistance – Canadian Red Cross

The Canadian Red Cross is providing one-time financial assistance to households whose primary residence has been severely impacted by the 2021 wildfires, households who were evacuated from the Lytton, B.C. region due to wildfires, and households under an evacuation order for 10 or more consecutive days due to wildfires in the province.

To apply visit the program website.

Cariboo Chilcotin Coast – Consumer Show Funding

The CCCTMA also provides businesses with access to MRDT funds to help cover the cost of consumer show attendance. Consumer shows are a great opportunity to both promote tourism product and to network with other operators. By completing both the application and reporting forms businesses can have up to 50% of their event fee covered (less GST).

Application deadline: December 31, 2022 or until the budget is committed on a first come, first serve basis.

To apply visit the program website.

Tourism Resiliency Financing – Community Futures and CCCTA

The Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association (CCCTA) is collaborating with Community Futures organizations throughout the region to assist in providing financial support to the tourism sector as part of the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Resiliency Program.  Access loans starting from $500 to over $150,000 to support long term tourism industry recovery and resiliency.

For more information, visit the program website.

SPARK Program – CCCTA

The program matches selected applicants with a tourism mentor and provides a $3,000 seed grant to help develop new tourism ideas. This program was designed to help entrepreneurs in the area to overcome challenges and barriers often experienced in bringing new tourism products to life.

It is presented by Destination BC in collaboration with the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association, Community Futures, and the Tourism Innovation Lab.

Application deadline: February 18, 2022

To apply visit the program website.

Canada Cultural Spaces Fund – Government of Canada

The Canada Cultural Spaces Fund (CCSF) supports the improvement of physical conditions for arts, heritage, culture, and creative innovation. The Fund supports renovation and construction projects, the acquisition of specialized equipment and feasibility studies related to cultural spaces. In Budget 2017 the Government of Canada announced an additional $300 million over a ten year period, starting in 2018-2019, to further support creative hubs and other cultural spaces. The CCSF will continue to invest in traditional arts and heritage facilities, such as museums, theatres and performing arts centres. The CCSF annual grants and contributions budget is $54 million for the period 2018-2028.

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

To apply visit the program website.

First Nation Adapt Program – Government of Canada

The First Nation Adapt Program supports community projects that build the capacity of First Nations south of the 60th parallel to address climate change impacts. We know that climate change is already affecting and will continue to affect communities across Canada, with significant implications for infrastructure, disaster mitigation and community well-being. First Nations are particularly at risk due to their location, aging infrastructure, and close ties to the land. In particular, flooding has been identified as a key priority by First Nations and the program. The central goal of the program is to improve resiliency to climate change by improving knowledge of the issues facing First Nations, in order to better plan for the future. The average yearly cost of funded projects is between $80,000 and $160,000, with costs varying based on the scope and nature of projects.

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until all available funding is allocated.

To apply visit the program website.

Tourism Relief Fund – Western Economic Diversification Canada

The Tourism Relief Fund supports tourism businesses and organizations adapt their operations to meet public health requirements while investing in products and services to facilitate their future growth.

Applications accepted until all funds have been allocated.

To Apply visit the program website.