Each month we provide an update on UBCM funding programs and information on other programs, events, and resources that may be of interest to local governments and First Nations.
Local Government Program Services
Applications are currently being accepted for the following funding programs. A complete and chronological listing (by intake deadline) of currently offered Local Government Program Services grants is also available on the UBCM website.
Community to Community Forum
The program’s goal is increased understanding and improved overall relations between First Nations and local governments. Forum events with elected officials and senior staff provide a time and place for dialogue to build on opportunities, support reconciliation efforts, resolve issues of common responsibility, interest or concern, and/or to advance tangible outcomes. Next application deadline: September 2, 2022.
Asset Management Planning
The 2022 AMP program is accepting applications. The intent of the program is to assist local governments in delivering sustainable services by extending and deepening asset management practices within their organizations. Matching grants are available under the 2022 program to support activities that advance a local government’s asset management planning or practices, and that facilitate better integration of asset management planning with long term financial planning. The second 2022 deadline is September 30, 2022.
Other Funding
Local Food Infrastructure Fund
The LFIF is a 5-year, $60 million Government of Canada initiative aimed at supporting community-based and not-for-profit organizations to create long-term solutions to address food security challenges. This new phase of the LFIF is tailored to meet the needs of Indigenous, Northern and remote communities by providing funding to help build a food system that will meet both current and future community needs. Grant funding can range from $100,000 to $500,000 to support larger initiatives that will have a lasting impact in communities. The intake period is from June 1 to July 15, 2022.
B.C. Employer Training Grant Program
The BC ETG program supports skills training to address provincial labour market needs. The program supports skills training needed to adapt to the changing requirements of jobs and the labour market while encouraging employer involvement in the training of employees. Priority is given to first-time applicants, small businesses, applicants from disadvantaged regions and applicants from industries facing the greatest challenges acquiring skilled workers. There are 6 streams: Covid 19 Impacted Worker Training, Workforce Training, Technical Training, Foundational Training, Employment Transition Training, and Persons with Disabilities Training.
Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund
The IPRF is an Indigenous-led effort to respond to urgent community needs while taking a long-term view on building community resilience. Any Indigenous-led organization or Indigenous-serving organization working to foster resilience in Inuit, Métis and First Nations communities anywhere in Canada can apply for resiliency funds ranging from $5,000 to $30,000.
Pathways to Safe Indigenous Communities
The Pathways Initiative will provide $103.8 million over 5 years to assist First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities and partners, both on and off-reserve, to implement Indigenous-designed projects to improve community safety and well-being. This initiative will support projects which: recognize the importance of traditional knowledge and practices to contributing to greater community safety and well-being, recognize holistic models of community safety and well-being, address existing and emerging needs relating to the safety and well-being of Indigenous women and girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. Funded by the Government of Canada. Open intake, apply any time.
Refugee resettlement funding
A federal $2 million Refugee Resettlement Fund has been established to support resettling refugee families. Six BC communities (Vancouver, Kelowna, Victoria, Nanaimo, Abbotsford, Surrey) have dedicated service provider organizations to deliver the Refugee Assistance Program (RAP). RAP provides essential services to refugees in their first year in Canada. Information and resources on supporting refugees in BC can be found on the BC Refugee Hub, a provincially-funded online resource hub.
Disaster Financial Assistance
The Province of BC announced DFA is now available to local governments and First Nations impacted by this past summer’s wildfires and the recent overland flooding. The funding is available to cover disaster-related losses not covered by insurance, such as wildfire damage to public infrastructure including roads, bridges, and other publicly-owned infrastructure.
Residential Schools: BC Response Fund
Provincial funding is available for First Nations-led strategies to identify, investigate, protect, and commemorate the sites of former residential schools and hospitals in BC and for providing the mental health, wellness, and cultural supports required to do this work. Lead communities may apply to develop and implement strategies and procedures for the ongoing identification, documentation, maintenance, commemoration, and protection of residential school cemeteries or other sites at which residential school children were buried. Up to $475,000 is available for each site.
Residential Schools: Federal Funding
Crown Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada will fund the locating, documenting, maintaining, and commemorating of burial sites associated with former residential schools, and responding to family wishes to commemorate or memorialize their losses and the children's final resting places. Proposals are welcome from Indigenous governments, councils or tribal councils, Indigenous not-for-profit groups, and organizations, including survivors’ groups, demonstrating a close working partnership with and directed by Indigenous-governed organizations.
Community Buildings Retrofit Initiative
This Federation of Canadian Municipalities initiative is intended to help fund energy efficiency upgrades for existing community facilities. The Government of Canada, through the Green Municipal Fund, has launched this $167 million initiative to help Canadian municipalities of all sizes retrofit existing community facilities, such as arenas, pools, and libraries, to significantly reduce GHG emissions, while reviving important community assets.
Municipal Asset Management Program
FCM’s Municipal Asset Management Program is now accepting applications for grants of up to $50,000 to fund an asset management initiative in your community. The funds cover a broad spectrum of asset management-related activities including: assessments; development of plans, policies and strategies; asset-related data collection and reporting; training and organizational development; and knowledge transfer. The application deadline is midnight EDT on July 15, 2022.
New Relationship Trust
The NRT is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening First Nations in BC through capacity building. Numerous funding initiatives and resources are available on their website.
Columbia Basin Trust
The CBT offers grants and programs to help residents and communities in the Basin take action on issues that are important to them.
Other Funding Opportunities
BC Healthy Communities has compiled a list of funding opportunities worth knowing about, along with guides and resources to support grant writing activities.
Events & Resources
BC Community Climate Funding Guide for Indigenous Communities and Local Governments
The Province of BC has developed the website for the BC Community Climate Funding Guide for Indigenous Communities and Local Governments. This new guide was created to simplify a community’s search for funding and to quickly connect communities to the next opportunity to fund a climate-related project. It is a one-stop resource within several broad categories, including Climate Preparedness & Adaptation, Community Infrastructure, Sustainable Transportation, and Clean Energy.
Healthy Communities, Equity and Economic Recovery: Creating Healthy Public Policy
BC Healthy Communities and SFU’s Community Economic Development team are hosting the Local Government Leaders Speaker Series. This on-demand webinar series has already posted one event, Living Wage Policies. Visit to view upcoming additional webinars. Participate live or view recorded sessions.
FireSmart
This website introduces the FireSmart program and its seven disciplines and is intended as a one-stop shop for all things FireSmart. The site includes links to training, education, an events calendar, resource library, and downloadable content. It also features a short video inviting everyone to become involved in prevention and to learn about the benefits of the program.
Virtual Reconciliation Engagements
Interested in raising awareness about reconciliation for your community, organization, or business? In light of the COVID-19 crisis, Reconciliation Canada is currently providing all engagements online. They can provide a virtual gathering with the inspiring speaker to help engage reconciliation in a meaningful way.
ReTooling for Climate Change
The Fraser Basin Council hosts this first-stop website on climate change adaptation. Here is the place to find top tools and resources for BC local governments, First Nations, and the natural resource sectors as everyone prepares for the impacts of climate change, now and in the years ahead.
BC Rural Centre
The Centre provides a wealth of links to assets, news, videos, services, and resources of value to rural British Columbians.
Resources for Rural & Small Communities
BC Healthy Communities has launched a collection of resources related to PlanH action areas, with a rural and small community lens.
Building sustainable communities with asset management
This guidebook is designed for staff or elected officials in medium and large municipalities who are responsible for green projects or who are interested in municipal sustainable development.
CivicInfo BC
British Columbia's local government information hub offers comprehensive organizational and grant directories, events listings, tools for training, research and career development, bids & tenders, and other resources.