BC Grants & Opportunities Update - Sept. 2025
- info9972277
- Sep 10, 2025
- 13 min read
September 2025 update from the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation (JEDI)
Events and Engagement Opportunities:
Kootenay Outdoor Recreation Enterprise Summit – October 2-3, 2025
The Kootenay Outdoor Recreation Enterprise (KORE) is hosting the fourth annual Outdoor Summit October 2-3, 2025 at the Kimberley Alpine Resort’s Conference Centre in the East Kootenay region of British Columbia.
The Summit is Canada’s only conference dedicated to the outdoor gear industry and the manufacturing and product design behind it all. Thought leaders and speakers from around North America will be giving presentations throughout the event. Anyone who is interested in outdoor recreational equipment from skis and bikes to tents and tech-wear are invited to attend. Likewise, product designers, economic development practitioners, government professionals, academics, and investors will all find it valuable to visit the Summit. Themes to be explored include sustainability and the circular economy, academic and industry collaboration, and supply chain security among others.
For more information about the KORE Outdoors Summit, visit koreoutdoors.org/summit.
Preparing for and Recovering from Economic Impacts of Disasters
Disasters can have lasting impacts on communities, businesses, and workers. Preparing in advance and responding effectively afterward helps support faster recovery and reduces long-term risks. The Province has recently released the following resources to support businesses and communities:
Kootenay Employment Services/Go2HR – Virtual Employer Engagement - Hiring and Retaining Immigrant Talent
Join KES (Kootenay Employment Service) Immigration Resource Advisor and Go2HR September 23rd at 10:30 am MT for a collaborative, discussion-based session focusing on hiring and retaining immigrant talent. At this session you can meet other local employers, gain insights about immigration in the East Kootenay, talk with a CPHR professional, and develop more hiring and retention resources for your business.
To register, visit: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/employer-engagement-hiring-and-retaining-immigrant-talent-tickets-1607058147179
BC Non-Profit Network: East Kootenay Leaders Gathering
The first BC Non-Profit Network: East Kootenays Leaders Gathering is happening in Cranbrook on Thursday, September 18. This one-day gathering will bring together non-profits, charities, funders, and community organizations from across the East Kootenays to:
Build stronger connections
Learn about sector trends and challenges
Share your community’s voice in BC’s new provincial non-profit network
Take part in a practical workshop on strategic decision-making
Date: September 18, 2025 Location: Nexus Community Support Society, Cranbrook, BC
B.C. Indigenous Pathfinder Service for Indigenous Food Systems
The B.C. Indigenous Pathfinder Service is a single source for support and referral to help navigate the relevant information, tools and funding available to start or expand activities in the following areas: Indigenous food systems, food sovereignty, food security and agriculture and food sector. Staff provide provincial wayfinding services and program referrals as required to connect people to current supports and other available opportunities including:
Support for navigating existing programs, services and funding opportunities
Support navigating government’s organizational structure
Coaching through project development and planning
Connections to sector organizations, potential industry partners, and other collaborators
To access this free service, email IndigenousFoodSystems@gov.bc.ca or call 236-426-5024 and a staff member will be in contact with you as soon as possible, normally within 24 to 48 hours. We respond to all messages.
Program Updates:
Agriculture:
Description: The Local Food Infrastructure Fund (LFIF) aims to support locally driven projects that will help improve community food security through the purchase and installation of infrastructure/equipment that will increase access to local, nutritious and culturally appropriate food.
Small Scale Projects:
provides grant funding between $25,000 and $100,000
supports projects that aim to address local food security priorities through the purchase and installation of one or a few pieces of infrastructure/equipment
Eligible applicants:
Indigenous (First Nation, Métis, Inuit) governments, not for profits
Not for profit: Organizations that have a mandate or mission to provide community food services. They may include:
associations
corporations
local community, charitable or voluntary organizations
Municipal Administrations
Deadline: September 19, 2025
Funding amount: between $25,000 and $100,000
Description: provides funding support for primary agricultural producers and agriculture, food and beverage processors to support informed decision making and ensure business development. Funding is available under two streams:
Stream 1: Agri-business skills and leadership development
Stream 2: Business planning, preparedness, and disaster recovery
Eligible applicants: Primary agriculture producers OR agriculture, food and beverage processor, see eligibility details here.
Deadline: The next intake for the Agri-Business Planning Program will be in October 2025. Please note that dates and some program details may change.
Funding amount:
Stream 1: up to 70% to a maximum of $2000
Stream 2: up to $7500 for individual businesses, up to $22,000 for groups
Contact: Agribusiness@gov.bc.ca
Description: The Asia-Pacific Market Entry Program brings together Canada’s potential to be a global leader in the plant-based market and Singapore’s growing demand for a sustainable, nutritious food supply. Developed and run in partnership with Nurasa Food Tech Innovation Centre, a leading food innovation centre based in Singapore, this program is designed to help Canada’s plant-based food and ingredient companies optimize their products for launch in the Asia-Pacific market.
Eligible applicants: See website for details.
Deadline: October 15, 2025
Funding amount: Program participants can receive reimbursement for up to 75% of project costs.
Contact: projects@proteinsupercluster.ca
Economic Development:
Description: The Tourism Sprint Program (TSP) is a competitive, application-based, cost-sharing program that funds short-term projects focused on creating innovative tourism products and supporting new tourism investment. The program aims to quickly address barriers to investment through targeted funding over a limited project timeline to unlock broader tourism opportunities and enhance Canada’s competitive position in the global marketplace.
Eligible applicants:
Local, Regional, and Municipal Governments – Includes cities, towns, villages, regional districts, and provincial or territorial governments engaged in tourism-related initiatives.
Indigenous Communities and Organizations – First Nations, Inuit, and Métis governments, communities, and tourism-focused organizations.
Not-for-Profit Organizations – Incorporated non-profits with a clear mandate to support, promote, or develop tourism.
For-Profit Tourism Businesses and Organizations – Private sector entities whose primary operations deliver tourism products or services, such as accommodations, attractions, or tour operators.
Deadline: submit your EOI to Destination Canada by 5:00 p.m. PT on September 12, 2025. If suitable, Destination Canada then requests that a full application be completed.
Funding amount: The program will cover up to 50% of total eligible expenses, to a maximum of $25,000 per project.
Description: Supports B.C. based small and medium-sized enterprises (SME’s) impacted by U.S. tariffs by facilitating access to the technical experts and advisory services they need to become CUSMA compliant. Eligible service providers include customs brokers, trade consultants, trade lawyers, and compliance specialists based in Canada or the United States.
Eligible applicants: You may be eligible if your business:
Is registered in British Columbia
Has exported to the U.S. within the past 12 months
Has eligible costs incurred on or after April 1, 2025
Deadline: Not specified.
Funding amount: Approved businesses will be reimbursed for 50% of the total eligible costs incurred up to a maximum reimbursement of $5,000.
Contact: cusma@exportnavigator.ca
Description: Cando and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities are pleased to launch a call for an additional six new First Nation – municipal partnerships to participate in Cohort 3 of the First Nation – Municipal Community Economic Development Initiative (CEDI) Phase IV – Accelerated Program. Since 2013 and over four cohorts of the program, CEDI has supported a total of 28 First Nation – municipal partnerships to build respectful and sustainable government-to-government partnerships and increase capacity to engage in long-term collaborative planning in community economic development and land-use
Eligible applicants: The Accelerated CEDI Program is a good fit for First Nations and municipalities who have:
Pre-existing government-to-government relationships
i.e., councils meet annually, staff to staff relationships, successful service agreements, collaborative community events, inclusive representation on local boards, etc.
Preliminary ideas for collaborative community economic development initiatives.
i.e., identified areas of shared interest or opportunity that align for both communities’ priorities and capacity
Deadline: September 26, 2025
Funding amount: See program details here.
Contact: marissa.lawrence@edo.ca
Description: The Video Games Business Development Program is a partnership between Creative BC and Canada Media Fund (CMF) designed to support the success and growth of B.C.-based game studios. Applying companies must have a significant track record of production in the province, and proposals must be business-focused with plans for ongoing content production and capacity building. These plans must be achievable, appropriately resourced, and structured to obtain the best economic outcomes from public funding.
Eligible applicants: Applicants must meet the following requirements to apply:
Be a for-profit company incorporated in British Columbia or Canada with its head office in British Columbia. (Note: Companies extra-provincially registered in B.C. are not eligible.)
Be Canadian-owned as defined in the Investment Canada Act and Canadian-controlled as determined for the purposes of Sections 26 to 28 of the Investment Canada Act.
The majority of the common interest voting shares of the company must be held by B.C. residents, defined as either a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident who has resided in B.C. for at least 200 of the 365 days prior to application and have filed income tax returns in B.C. for the taxation year prior to the application.
The primary business is the creation of video games for digital game platforms, including (but not limited to) PC, mobile, consoles, and VR. The majority of output should be content owned and controlled or optioned by the applicant.
Applicants and any related or associated parties must be in good standing with Creative BC and the CMF.
Deadline: October 1, 2025
Funding amount: up to $200,000
Contact: nklassen@creativebc.com
Description: Funds to support an upcoming Cannabis Business by facilitating community planning and engagement activities, as well as assisting with business planning, design, and implementation tasks associated with their cannabis project.
Eligible applicants:
B.C. First Nation governments, businesses and economic development corporations;
B.C. Tribal Councils;
B.C. Indigenous Corporations, partnerships, associations, co-operatives and institutions; and
B.C. Indigenous (First Nation, Métis, Inuit) entrepreneurs and businesses.
Deadline: Continuous intake.
Funding amount: Up to $250,000
Contact: cb@nrtf.ca
Description: The Community Economic Development and Diversification (CEDD) program creates enduring economic benefits for British Columbians. It invests in projects that harness local ambitions, assets, knowledge and economic opportunities to create more prosperous and resilient communities.
Eligible applicants:
Not-for-profit organizations including:
industry associations
economic development organizations
Indigenous-led not-for-profit organizations
post-secondary institutions
Indigenous governments in B.C.
Municipal and regional governments in B.C. and their organizations
Provincial government departments, agencies, crown corporations and their organizations
Deadline: ongoing basis; no deadline noted.
Funding amount:
Varies by project
Typically up to 50% of eligible project costs; in exceptional circumstances, PacifiCan may fund a higher proportion of a project’s costs
Contact: Corey.Kanzig@pacifican.gc.ca
Infrastructure:
Description: Capital Project Grants provide $5M annually to not-for-profit organizations throughout B.C., to support the completion of inclusive, accessible capital projects that meet community-identified needs and priorities. Eligible projects include:
1. Facilities: the construction of new facilities and renovation or maintenance of existing facilities;
2. Community Infrastructure: the development of public amenities that improve B.C. residents’ quality of life; and
3. Acquisitions: the purchase of fixed capital assets for long-term ownership and use by the organization (e.g., vehicles, equipment and IT projects).
4. Repatriation Projects: the repatriation of Indigenous cultural belongings.
Eligible applicants: Check that your organization is eligible to apply for a Capital Project Grant by reviewing the Capital Projects Grant Guidelines (p.7).
Deadline: October 15, 2025
Funding amount: Funding may be provided up to a maximum of $250,000; providing between 20 and 50% of the total estimated project cost.
Contact: CommunityGamingGrants@gov.bc.ca
Community Development:
Description: The Canadian Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA) has secured Government of Canada funding through Sport Canada to support the Reaching Each and Every One initiative. This program will provide direct financial support to non-governmental non-profit community organizations delivering inclusive sport programming to equity-deserving groups.
Eligible applicants: Non-governmental, non-profit, community organizations that deliver recreational sport programming. Municipalities and schools that serve communities in northern and remote regions (including Indigenous communities) where the municipality/school is the provider of recreational sport opportunities, will also be considered.
Deadline: September 3, 2025
Funding amount: The minimum grant amount is $2,500 and the maximum grant amount is $25,000.
Contact: emma@cpra.ca
Description: The New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) community-based stream is a federal grant. It supports projects that are designed by seniors and for seniors in their communities. This program funds projects that empower seniors in their communities and contribute to improving their health and well-being.
Eligible applicants: Eligible organizations can apply for up to $25,000 for projects that are led by seniors and are volunteer based.
Deadline: September 17, 2025
Funding amount: Up to $25,000
Contact: W-T-NHSP-PNHA@servicecanada.gc.ca
Description: Since 2000, the Kootenay Savings Community Foundation has contributed millions to support nonprofit initiatives across the Kootenays— enhancing culture, education, the economy, the environment, health, and social well-being. In collaboration with our partners, we remain committed to helping our communities thrive.Eligible applicants: The following organizations are encouraged to apply for funding; however, eligibility does not ensure funding approval.
Non-profit organizations
Organizations that are free from political, racial, religious, or gender bias.
Deadline: September 30, 2025
Funding amount: Project funding in the past has ranged from $1000 to $15,000 depending on the impact the project is expected to have on our communities and the number of applications received in the funding period.
Contact: Contact us
Description: Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) is accepting expressions of interest for the New Fiscal Relationship (NFR) Grant. The NFR grant is an optional funding mechanism that provides predictable and flexible funding to eligible recipients for up to 28 programs and services.
Eligible applicants: Since 2019-20, the NFR grant has been available to First Nations under the Indian Act.
Beginning in 2024-25 the NFR grant will also be available to:
First Nation governments referred to in a self-government or land claims agreement,
Tribal Councils, and
First Nations-led entities that provide services to First Nations governments or to First Nations citizens of member First Nations.
Deadline: September 30, 2025
Funding amount: Not specified.
Contact: nrf-nfr@sac-isc.gc.ca
Workforce Development:
Details: The Community Workforce Response Grant (CWRG) is designed to provide flexible and timely responses to urgent labour market needs faced by communities in B.C. Communities can access the program to address workforce challenges as a result of changing local economic conditions, emerging priorities or unexpected natural disasters. CWRG Priorities are:
Projects that serve:
Indigenous communities
Rural and remote communities, and/or
Communities impacted by the recent loss of a major employer, natural disaster, or sudden, significant economic disruption
Projects offering occupational skills training that address community-specific emerging priorities, economic diversification or innovation, or regional High Opportunity Occupations (HOO).
Projects offering occupational skills training for the following sectors:
Healthcare
Social Services
Education
Trades (foundations or trade samplers)
Projects where a Community Transition Table has been established through provincial Community Transition Services.
Eligible applicants: Local non-profit organizations, Indigenous and local governments, sector or industry associations, and major employers in a single resource community are welcome to apply for funding to support occupational skills training that is 52 weeks or less.
Deadline: November 14, 2025
Funding amount:
CWRG funds cohort-based training (three or more participants receiving the same training at the same time for the same duration) up to a project total of $300,000.
The CWRG covers 100 percent of all training costs that include:
$11,000 per participant for skills training costs
Participant financial support depending on the length of training
Employment support services up to $400 per participant
Administration fees up to 10 percent of the total project cost (12 percent for Indigenous applicants)
Contact: CWRG@gov.bc.ca
Description: The Indigenous Labour Market (LMF) fund provides funding to support indigenous communities in addressing three specific gaps in advancing Indigenous labour market and employment initiatives. The Program was designed on the notion of cultural accommodation and flexibility to address labour market imbalances and goals to increases indigenous labour market participation and job creation in B.C. while demonstrating respect for Indigenous culture, values, and traditions.
Eligible applicants: First Nations Communities, Tribal Councils, Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Offices, Metis Nation Government of BC, Metis Chartered Communities, Indigenous Organizations
Deadline: Continuous intake
Funding amount: Three funding streams are available (Applicants can apply to any one of the 3 streams of funding but can only receive funding one funding stream (i.e., project) at a time):
Labour Market Study stream with grants up to $150,000;
Cultural Recognition Support stream with grants up to $250,000
Job Fairs stream with grants up to $75,000.
Contact: LMF@nrtf.ca
Natural Resources:
Description: The Climate Change and Health Adaptation Program (CCHAP) funds the efforts of First Nations and Inuit communities to identify, assess and respond to the health impacts of climate change. The program supports projects that focus on the health impacts of climate change by helping communities:
develop and implement health-related adaptation or action plans
identify vulnerabilities in the health system and develop plans to address them
develop and share knowledge-building and communication materials
support adaptation decision-making at the local, regional and national levels
Eligible applicants: To be eligible for funding, projects must be undertaken by or in support of First Nation communities South of 60⁰N recognized under the Indian Act. Eligible applicants include:
First Nations communities on reserves
First Nations organizations, including:
band councils
tribal councils and Indigenous associations
Deadline: September 12, 2025
Funding amount: Not specified.
Contact: cchap-pccas@sac-isc.gc.ca
Description: Helping municipalities develop comprehensive climate adaptation strategies
Eligible applicants: The following organizations are eligible for GMF funding:
Canadian municipal governments (e.g., towns, cities, regions, districts and local boards)
Municipal partners, which include:
Municipally owned corporations
Regional, provincial or territorial organizations delivering municipal services
Non-governmental organizations
Not-for-profit organizations
Research institutes (e.g., universities)
Indigenous communities
Deadline: September 16, 2025
Funding amount: Up to a maximum of $140,000 (based on the lead applicant's population size)
Contact: gmfinfo@fcm.ca
Description: Turning climate plans into action-ready projects
Eligible applicants: The following organizations are eligible for GMF funding:
Canadian municipal governments (e.g., towns, cities, regions, districts and local boards)
Municipal partners, which include:
Municipally owned corporations
Regional, provincial or territorial organizations delivering municipal services
Non-governmental organizations
Not-for-profit organizations
Research institutes (e.g., universities)
Indigenous communities
Deadline: October 28, 2025, or until available funds for this round have been allocated.
Funding amount: Up to a maximum of $70,000
Contact: gmfinfo@fcm.ca
Description: We fund projects that enhance long-term climate resilience in communities in an equitable and inclusive manner. This funding is intended for communities who are already aware of their climate risks and know which projects will help them make the greatest strides in improving their climate resilience.
Eligible applicants: The following organizations are eligible for GMF funding:
Canadian municipal governments (e.g., towns, cities, regions, districts and local boards)
Municipal partners, which include:
Municipally owned corporations
Regional, provincial or territorial organizations delivering municipal services
Non-governmental organizations
Not-for-profit organizations
Research institutes (e.g., universities)
Indigenous communities
Deadline: October 9, 2025
Funding amount: up to $1M
Contact: gmfinfo@fcm.ca
Emergency Management:
Description: The intent of this funding stream is to enhance the ability of volunteer fire departments and composite fire departments to prepare for and respond to emergencies. Ongoing operational costs and the purchase of major fire apparatus are not eligible.
Eligible applicants: First Nations (bands, modern Treaty First Nations with treaties that are in effect, and Indigenous National Governments with authority for lands and resources), Local governments (municipalities or regional districts). Legally incorporated society-run fire departments that are in good standing, Improvement Districts that are established to provide fire protection services.
Deadline: October 31, 2025
Funding amount: Up to $30,000
Contact: cepf@ubcm.ca
Description: The intent of this funding stream is to support eligible applicants to build local capacity to provide emergency support services through volunteer recruitment, retention and training, including in-house training, and the purchase of essential ESS equipment