Grant Orb, Worlds First AI Grant Writer

#Blog

Grants for Indigenous Youth Programs in Vancouver, 2025

If you’re running or planning a program for Indigenous youth in Vancouver, securing funding is often a key step. The good news is there are numerous grant opportunities available from various sources. This guide highlights some of the key national, provincial, corporate, and foundation grants that could help bring your vision to life.

Federal Government Grants

  • First Nations and Inuit Skills Link Program (FNIYES Component) – Indigenous Services Canada (ISC)

    • Focus: Essential skills for employment, career development, science/tech initiatives, co-op placements, internships, and mentored work.
    • Eligibility: First Nations/Inuit communities, organizations, schools, nonprofits, and some private employers (often through FNESC in BC).
    • Grant Amount: Wage subsidies (up to 50% for private sector, up to 100% for nonprofits); support for accessibility if needed.
    • Deadline: Closed March 7, 2025. Monitor ISC and FNESC for next cycle.
    • More Information: First Nations and Inuit Skills Link Program

  • First Nations and Inuit Summer Work Experience Program (FNIYES Component) – ISC

    • Focus: Career-related summer jobs for First Nations and Inuit secondary/post-secondary students (ages 15–30).
    • Eligibility: Same as above.
    • Grant Amount: Wage subsidies (same model).
    • Deadline: Closed March 7, 2025. Monitor for next cycle.
    • More Information: First Nations and Inuit Summer Work Experience Program

  • Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS) Program – Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)

    • Focus: Helps youth (15–30) overcome employment barriers through training, mentorship, and work experience. Includes an Indigenous stream.
    • Eligibility: Not-for-profits, Indigenous organizations, public institutions, municipalities, for-profits (for non-commercial activities).
    • Grant Amount: Varies.
    • Deadline: Most recent intake closed; watch for future announcements.
    • More Information: Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Program

  • Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples (UPIP) – Indigenous Services Canada

    • Focus: Provides core funding to urban Indigenous service organizations to support culturally appropriate programs and services, including youth programming.
    • Eligibility: Indigenous organizations delivering programs or services to urban Indigenous peoples.
    • Grant Amount: Varies; funding is provided through streams such as organizational capacity and programs and services.
    • Deadline: Calls for proposals are announced periodically.
    • More Information: Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples

  • Indigenous Reconciliation Program – Department of National Defence (DND)

    • Focus: Funds engagement, dialogue, and cultural events between Indigenous communities and DND/CAF.
    • Eligibility: Indigenous individuals, governments, and organizations.
    • Grant Amount: Up to $50,000 for Engagement/Collaboration Grants.
    • Deadline: March 1 annually.
    • More Information: Indigenous Reconciliation Program

  • PromoScience Program – NSERC

    • Focus: Supports science/STEM promotion and outreach for youth, often through universities or science organizations (potential partners for your program).
    • Eligibility: Universities, outreach organizations.
    • Grant Amount: Varies.
    • Deadline: Check NSERC website for annual intake.
    • More Information: PromoScience Program

  • Canada Council for the Arts – Creating, Knowing & Sharing

    • Focus: Supports First Nations, Inuit, and Métis individuals, groups, and organizations in the creation, transmission, and sharing of Indigenous arts and culture.
    • Eligibility: Indigenous artists, cultural carriers, arts professionals, groups, collectives, and organizations.
    • Grant Amount: Typical project awards range from $20,000 to $100,000.
    • Deadline: Rolling deadlines across various components.
    • More Information: Creating, Knowing and Sharing

British Columbia Provincial Government Grants

  • Youth Grant – New Relationship Trust (NRT)

    • Focus: Cultural, traditional, creative, or entrepreneurial programs for First Nations youth in BC.
    • Eligibility: BC First Nations, supporting organizations, youth groups.
    • Grant Amount: Up to $8,000/year.
    • Deadline: Open May–December 2025, or until funds run out.
    • More Information: New Relationship Trust Youth Grant

  • Arts Vitality Grant – First Peoples’ Cultural Council (FPCC)

    • Focus: Creative projects (storytelling, arts, dance, etc.) for BC First Nations communities.
    • Eligibility: BC First Nations individuals, communities, organizations (75% Indigenous board).
    • Grant Amount: Up to $10,000 (one-time).
    • Deadline: May 28, 2025.
    • More Information: Arts Vitality Grant

  • Cultural Practices Grant – FPCC

    • Focus: Community-based cultural events and practices, with training/mentorship for intergenerational learning.
    • Eligibility: BC First Nations, Indigenous-led organizations (75% Indigenous board).
    • Grant Amount: Varies.
    • Deadline: Check FPCC website for updates.
    • More Information: Cultural Practices Grant

  • Arts Impact Grant – BC Arts Council (BCAC)

    • Focus: Projects with community, sector, or cultural impact. Indigenous Peoples are a priority group.
    • Eligibility: Arts organizations, Indigenous governments, collectives, publishers.
    • Grant Amount: Up to $30,000.
    • Deadline: Closed April 2025; likely to reopen in 2026.
    • More Information: Arts Impact Grant

  • Youth Wellness Grant – BC Ministry of Health / Community Action Initiative (CAI)

    • Focus: Programs supporting youth/families experiencing grief, loss, or bereavement (esp. from toxic drug events).
    • Eligibility: Nonprofits, Indigenous-led organizations in BC.
    • Grant Amount: Up to $80,000/year for three years.
    • Deadline: Closed for 2025. Monitor CAI for future cycles.
    • More Information: Community Action Initiative

  • BC Community Gaming Grants

    • Focus: Supports nonprofits running youth, arts, sport, and community programs.
    • Eligibility: Nonprofits with open membership, democratic board, and ongoing programs.
    • Grant Amount: Up to $125,000/year.
    • Deadline: Sector-based intakes. Apply online.
    • More Information: Community Gaming Grants

Corporate Funding Opportunities

  • TELUS Indigenous Communities Fund (ICF)

    • Focus: Social, health, education, and community programs by/for Indigenous Peoples across Canada.
    • Eligibility: Mainly Indigenous-led organizations. Non-Indigenous groups must show strong partnerships.
    • Grant Amount: $5,000–$25,000.
    • Deadline: Two rounds per year—Spring and Fall. Apply early.
    • More Information: TELUS Indigenous Communities Fund

  • Bell Let’s Talk Diversity Fund

    • Focus: Mental health for BIPOC communities; increasing access and reducing stigma.
    • Eligibility: Charities and nonprofits (BIPOC-led preferred).
    • Grant Amount: Up to $200,000 over 2–5 years.
    • Deadline: Previous intake closed; watch Bell Let’s Talk for 2025 details.
    • More Information: Bell Let’s Talk Funding Opportunities

  • RBC Community Investment

    • Focus: Skills, education, prosperity, and inclusive community programs.
    • Eligibility: Registered charities/nonprofits in Canada where RBC is active.
    • Grant Amount: Generally up to $500,000/year.
    • Deadline: Check RBC website for regional intakes.
    • More Information: RBC Community Investments

  • TD Ready Commitment

    • Focus: Community, education, environment, health. Includes annual $1M “Ready Challenge” grants.
    • Eligibility: Varies by annual theme.
    • Grant Amount: Varies; Ready Challenge grants are $1M.
    • Deadline: Monitor TD platform for current opportunities.
    • More Information: TD Ready Commitment

Private Foundations & Non-Profit Organization Grants

  • Creation Community Grants – Indigenous Youth Roots (formerly CRE)

    • Focus: Provides funding for Indigenous youth-led projects across Canada in areas such as arts, culture, wellness, land and food sovereignty, and entrepreneurship.
    • Eligibility: Indigenous youth (ages 15–29) leading projects in their communities.
    • Grant Amount: Multiple streams available: Youth Empowerment ($2,500–$5,000), Small Project (up to $15,000), Medium Project (up to $30,000), Multi-Year (up to $150,000 over two years).
    • Deadline: Next intake opens July 1, 2025.
    • More Information: Creation Community Grants

  • Thriving Indigenous Systems Fund – Vancouver Foundation

    • Focus: Multi-year grants for land-based First Nations and Indigenous-led organizations, focusing on healing, culture, land.
    • Eligibility: BC land-based First Nations and Indigenous-led nonprofits.
    • Grant Amount: Up to $100,000/year for three years.
    • Deadline: 2025 intake closed May 21; monitor for 2026.
    • More Information: Thriving Indigenous Systems Fund

  • LEVEL BIPOC Grants – Vancouver Foundation

    • Focus: Operational funding for BIPOC-led/youth-led organizations in BC.
    • Eligibility: Registered charities or nonprofits serving BIPOC youth/communities.
    • Grant Amount: $150,000 over three years.
    • Deadline: Last intake closed August 2024. Watch for updates.
    • More Information: LEVEL BIPOC Grants

  • Capacity Building Grants – Downie Wenjack Oshki Wupoowane / Blanket Fund

    • Focus: Capacity-building for grassroots Indigenous-led organizations (arts, culture, education).
    • Eligibility: Small Indigenous-led groups (<6 staff, <$1M annual budget).
    • Grant Amount: Up to $175,000 annually (max 4 years).
    • Deadline: 2025 Expression of Interest closes May 30.
    • More Information: The Blanket Fund

  • Youth and Elders Regenerative Fund – Vancity Community Foundation

    • Focus: Projects connecting youth and Elders in Indigenous and Black communities.
    • Eligibility: Projects fostering intergenerational connection.
    • Grant Amount: Up to $5,000.
    • Deadline: 2025 funds allocated; monitor for 2026 cycle.
    • More Information: Youth and Elders Regenerative Fund

  • Indigenous Neighbourhood Small Grants – Vancouver Aboriginal Community Policing Centre/NRT

    • Focus: Micro-grants for Indigenous-led projects in Metro Vancouver.
    • Eligibility: Indigenous individuals in Metro Vancouver.
    • Grant Amount: Up to $500.
    • Deadline: Open until funds run out; projects must finish by Nov 30, 2025.
    • More Information: Indigenous Neighbourhood Small Grants

  • J.W. McConnell Foundation – Indigenous-Led Youth Initiatives

    • Focus: Issues large, multi-year grants to Indigenous-led projects that create youth employment pathways and land-based learning.
    • Eligibility: Indigenous-led organizations and initiatives across Canada.
    • Grant Amount: Typically $500,000–$675,000 (multi-year).
    • Deadline: Rolling applications; check the foundation’s website for details.
    • More Information: Apply – McConnell Foundation

  • Catherine Donnelly Foundation – Civic Engagement Grants

    • Focus: Civic-engagement stream now backing Indigenous and racialized youth leadership initiatives.
    • Eligibility: Canadian organizations with civic engagement, youth leadership, and social change projects.
    • Grant Amount: Varies.
    • Deadline: Next application cycle opens February 24, 2025; deadline June 3, 2025.
    • More Information: Granting Process – Catherine Donnelly Foundation

City of Vancouver Grants

  • Indigenous Healing and Wellness Grants – City of Vancouver

    • Focus: Supports traditional, spiritual, and cultural healing activities led by Elders/Knowledge Keepers for Vancouver’s urban Indigenous community.
    • Eligibility: Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations with Indigenous partnerships.
    • Grant Amount: Up to $20,000/year (max $40,000 over 2 years).
    • Deadline: Closed for 2025; watch for next cycle.
    • More Information: Indigenous Healing and Wellness Grants

  • Reconciliation Project Grants – City of Vancouver

    • Focus: Projects advancing reconciliation (includes MMIWG initiatives).
    • Eligibility: Vancouver-based organizations.
    • Grant Amount: Pool of $120,000 in 2025.
    • Deadline: Check City of Vancouver grants page.
    • More Information: City of Vancouver – Social Policy Grants

This list provides a starting point for your funding search. Every funder is different, so do your research and make sure your project clearly fits their priorities. Many grants run annually, if a deadline just passed, make note of it for next year and start preparing.

Good luck securing the resources to make a difference in the lives of Indigenous youth in Vancouver!

More Grants Less Stress, Win More
Grant Orb Inc. Vancouver, Canada
Contact us at [email protected]
Privacy Policy Terms of Service