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Grants & Opportunities Update - Oct. 2025


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October 2025 update from the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation (JEDI)





Events and Engagement Opportunities:

 

B.C. Indigenous Advisory Council on Agriculture and Food – Recruiting members until October 15, 2025!

The B.C. Indigenous Advisory Council on Agriculture and Food (IACAF) invites you to contribute your passion, knowledge, and skills in advancing food security, sovereignty, and economic development for Indigenous communities and all British Columbians. By participating, you'll make a tangible impact on the agricultural and food systems in B.C., collaborating with like-minded individuals dedicated to fostering positive change. IACAF is seeking to fill four vacancies and build the Council’s lived experience and subject matter expertise in the areas of, but not limited to:

  • Traditional food Knowledge Keepers,

  • Food and agriculture related community economic development,

  • Regulatory context of Indigenous food security and sovereignty,

  • Seafood and aquaculture,

  • Livestock/ranching sector,

  • Youth (under 30), and

  • Regional perspectives from the Kootenays, northern B.C. and the north Coast.

 

 

Opportunity to Provide Input – Natural Resource Permitting Improvements

Natural resource permitting plays a significant role in the government’s strategy to strengthen and diversify our economy. B.C. is working across the natural resource sector to streamline permitting, remove barriers and delays, eliminate duplication, simplify processes and shift permitting while maintaining high environmental standards and our commitment under the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. 

 

Basin Food & Buyers Expo – Nelson  

The Basin Food Summit & Expo (FABx) is the Columbia Basin’s premier annual gathering for food system leaders, producers, innovators, and community changemakers.

 

From Plans to Performance: Integrated Design for High-Performance Homes

Discover how the integrated design process (IDP) streamlines decisions, avoids costly mistakes, and ensures efficiency in both retrofits and new builds. In this full-day in-person workshop, you will learn about IDP and apply it to right-sizing mechanical HVAC systems as a demonstration.

 

Land Sharing Workshop in Cranbrook – Young Agrarians

  • Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025       1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

  • Location: Ktunaxa Territory, Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce

  • Details: If you’re looking for farmland or have land you'd like to see farmed in the Columbia Basin & Kootenays, Young Agrarians will be hosting a second Land Sharing Workshop in the region in October. Come out to Cranbrook, B.C. on Saturday, October 18th to start your land sharing journey with the B.C. Land Matching Program.

  • Register here

 

Youth Social Entrepreneurship Program – Community Futures East Kootenay/Impact Toolbox

  • The Youth Entrepreneurship Program is for youth aged 14–18 across the Kootenays, allowing them dive into an interactive online program packed with hands-on exercises, real-world learning, and plenty of creative problem-solving. It’s a flexible way to bring social entrepreneurship into youth spaces, filling resource gaps and helping young people explore how business can be a force for good. More information can be found here.

  • We’re running two cohorts — one kicking off in January 2026, and the next in September 2026. We are looking for mentors, and these mentors will be responsible for having a group of youth interested and ready to be part of the program. We’re looking for engaged teachers, youth program leaders and committed community members who are willing to work with teams of students to help them bring their ideas to life.

  • There is an information session on Wednesday October 29, 2025 at 5:30-6:00pm MT / 4:30-5:00pm PT if mentors want to find out more – they can ask questions, meet the team, understand the application process, and what will be expected of them and their youth in the program.

 

Kootenay Boundary Manufacturing Scaling Conference – Export Navigator

  • Date: October 16, 2025   1PM – 6PM

  • Location: The Confluence – Chamber of Commerce Castlegar, 1995 6th Avenue, Castlegar

  • Details: For the first time, the Kootenay-Boundary region is hosting a dynamic manufacturers’ scaling conference—right here at home. Export Navigator brings this free-of-charge, one-of-a-kind, exclusive event with some of Canada’s top-tier subject matter experts directly to our doorstep, alongside leading local representatives from prominent business support organizations. Attendees will gain exclusive insights, forge powerful, cross-sectoral, regional connections, and access expert advice from both urban specialists and local leaders in innovation, growth funding, and commercialization — delivering everything required to compete, collaborate, and scale from the heart of the Kootenays.

  • To register visit: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/first-kootenay-boundary-manufacturing-scaling-conference-tickets-1632978134559?aff=oddtdtcreator

 

Program Updates:

Agriculture:

 

Description: Funding is now available through the Beneficial Management Practices (BMP) program for projects that help farms prepare for extreme weather events. This intake supports initiatives focused on:

  • Wildfire Preparedness

  • Flood Preparedness

  • Extreme Heat and Cold Preparedness

  • Creative solutions for extreme weather preparedness

Eligible applicants: See details on program website.

Deadline: Submissions accepted starting October 8, 2025. Sign up for the newsletter to learn when applications will close.

Funding amount:

  • Planning, Technical Assessments, and Engineered Designs:

  • 3601 – FireSmart™ BC Farm & Ranch Assessment: $2,000

  • 3704.1 – Planning & Design of Fill Pad for Farm Buildings: $15,000

  • All other eligible activities: up to $50,000, subject to the per-farm annual cap

 

Description: The program provides repayable contributions to incent targeted commercialization, demonstration and/or adoption of commercial-ready innovative technologies and processes that increase agricultural and agri-food sector competitiveness and sustainability benefits.

Eligible applicants:

  • For profit organization incorporated in Canada

  • Legal entity capable of entering into legally binding agreements

Deadline: Due to high demand, the AgriInnovate Program intake will close soon. Apply as soon as possible to meet the following deadlines:

  • November 30, 2025 — deadline to submit a Project Summary Form

  • December 31, 2025 — deadline to submit a full application (if invited to apply)

Funding amount: The maximum contribution toward a project will normally not exceed $5,000,000.

 

Description: The objective of the Knowledge and Technology Transfer Program (KTTP) is to increase the competitiveness, resiliency, and innovation of the British Columbia (B.C.) agriculture and food sector through facilitated knowledge and technology transfer. Eligible applicants may apply under one of two streams dependent upon their knowledge and technology transfer activity and its objectives:

  • Stream 1. Subject Matter Expert for Knowledge Development

  • Stream 2. Hands-On Learning for Skill Development

Eligible applicants:

  • Not-for-profit organizations or industry associations representing agriculture, food, or seafood producers/processors with commercial

  • Operations

  • Farmers and Women's Institutes

  • Municipalities and regional districts

  • Indigenous government, communities, economic development corporations, and organizations

Deadline: The Program will remain open until funds are fully allocated

Funding amount:

  • Steam 1: up to $1500

  • Stream 2: up to $7500

 

Description: AgriInvest is a self-managed producer-government savings account designed to help you manage small income declines and make investments to manage risk and improve market income.

Eligible applicants: Generally, you are eligible for AgriInvest if you earn income from the primary production of agricultural commodities and you:

  • farm in Canada

  • file an income tax return reporting farming income (loss) to the Canada Revenue Agency by the final filing deadline for the program year

  • file an AgriInvest form reporting sales and purchases of allowable commodities by the final deadline for the program year

Deadline: Not specified.

Funding amount: the government provides a matching contribution of 1% of a producer's Allowable Net Sales (ANS), up to a maximum of $10,000

Contact: 1-866-367-8506

 

Economic Development:

 

Description: The Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) in British Columbia is part of the Government of Canada’s strategy to defend Canadian jobs, industries, and supply chains. Through the RTRI, we’re making investments to help B.C. businesses facing trade and tariffs disruptions to pivot to new paths to growth by helping them:

  • boost productivity and reduce costs

  • build more resilient supply chains

  • reach new markets

Eligible applicants:

  • Incorporated for-profit businesses employing 10 to 499 full-time employees

  • Not-for-profit organizations that support SMEs

Deadline: The closing date for applications will be established at a later date, based on the level of demand and available funds. Advance notice of at least 20 business days will be provided prior to closing intake of applications. Complete applications received by October 15, 2025 will be prioritized for review.

Funding amount:

  • Businesses with commercial projects:

  • $200,000 to $10 million per project in repayable contributions

  • $200,000 to $1 million per project in non-repayable contributions

  • Not-for-profits with non-commercial projects:

  • up to $10 million per project

  • Businesses: repayable and non-repayable contributions

  • Not-for-profits: non-repayable contributions for non-commercial projects that support small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)

Contact:

 

Description: The Birthplace of Adventure “Spark” Program is a Mentorship and Grant Program, focused on supporting new tourism ideas, experiences, and partnerships in the southeast corner of British Columbia. 

Eligible applicants: Applicants must be based within the Birthplace of Adventure, British Columbia, and be one of the following:

  • Individuals 18+; OR

  • A small business (new or existing), with fewer than 10 full-time year-round employees, OR

  • A nonprofit organization, Indigenous community or other community group, with fewer than 10 full-time year-round employees 

Deadline: October 30, 2025

Funding amount:

  • Three (3) month mentorship with a tourism innovator, experienced operator, industry leader, and/or sector expert (mentors are not pre-selected; matches are tailored to the mentee's focus areas)

  • $3,000 in seed funds to support tourism idea development activities

  • Access to a support network of tourism innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders

  • ​Ongoing guidance on other resources and support services provided by partners​

  • ​All program applicants will be invited to join our “Spark" community of tourism innovators, idea makers, partners, and supporters for special networking events, one-on-ones, and development workshops.

 

Infrastructure:

 

Description: The URN Indigenous Housing Program provides capital funding to support First Nations governments and bands with off-reserve members create safe, culturally grounded, and affordable housing. Funding is available for new builds, renovations, planning, land acquisition, and culturally significant spaces that help Indigenous communities secure stable housing for priority populations like Elders, youth, women, and families. There are two streams:

  • Capital Project Funding: The purpose of this funding is for construction, acquisition, or planning for housing. Examples include: new single or multi-unit housing; mobile or group homes; land or building acquisition for housing.

  • Programming and Education: The purpose of this funding is to support culturally safe housing-related services and education. Examples include: tenancy rights and financial literacy programs; homeownership education; capacity-building for housing organizations.

Eligible applicants:

  • First Nations governments or bands with members living off-reserve.

  • Projects must directly benefit off-reserve Indigenous peoples.

Deadline: Not specified.

Funding amount: Funding up to $1,000,000 per project

Contact: urn@fnhic.ca

 

Community Development:

 

Description: Under the BC Multiculturalism Act, annual multiculturalism and anti-racism grants are offered to registered non-profits and other eligible organizations.

Eligible applicants: Organizations eligible to apply: 

  • Registered non-profits incorporated and in good standing under the Societies Act [SBC2015], or a British Columbia-based, federally registered charity, also in good standing.

  • Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, or Métis) governments, tribal councils, band councils or organizations.

  • BIPOC-led non-profit society.

  • BIPOC-led non-profit society as a partner.

  • Non-profit society serving a BIPOC disability community.

To be eligible, the organization must have a British Columbia address.

Deadline: October 15, 2025

Funding amount: Eligible organizations can apply for grants up to $5,000.

 

Description: The TELUS Indigenous Communities Fund (ICF) offers $5,000 - $25,000 grants for Indigenous-led social, health and community programs. Together, we can make the future friendly by supporting Indigenous leaders and community groups who know their communities best. Funding is available for projects focused on, but not limited to:

  • Health, mental health and well-being

  • Access to education and resources

  • Preservation of the land and water

  • Community building and enhancement

  • Intergenerational language and cultural revitalization

Preference may be given to programs where technology is being used to advance reconciliation.

Eligible applicants:

  • Your organization, community group or project supports Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) within Canada

  • Your organization has not received funding from TELUS or the Indigenous Communities Fund in the last two years

Deadline: October 9, 2025, or until the first 200 applications are received

Funding amount: $5,000 - $25,000 grants are available to support Indigenous-led initiatives that support tangible positive outcomes

 

Description: The Province of British Columbia and the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I·SPARC) believe in the power of sport, physical activity, recreation, and culture.  They build strong individuals and healthy communities by creating a sense of belonging, developing life skills, and self-confidence.  However, the reality is that financial pressures mean many children and youth are unable to participate in sport, recreation, physical activity and cultural opportunities.

Eligible applicants: The RISE Grant is open to ALL children and youth (under the age of 27) who have been formally placed in Care outside the parental home in British Columbia, regardless of ancestry who wish to participate in a sport, physical activity, recreation, and/or cultural program opportunity.

Deadline: The intake for the RISE Grant Program opened on October 1, 2025, and will remain open until the quarterly application limit is reached.

Funding amount: Maximum eligibility of funding is $800 per individual per fiscal year (April 1st to March 31st)

 

Description: The Community Gaming Grants program distributes funds from commercial gambling revenues to not-for-profit organizations through three different funding streams: Program Grants, PAC & DPAC Grants, and Capital Project Grants. The Human and Social Services streams of the Program Grants are currently open.  Organizations within this sector deliver programs that improve the quality of life in a community by supporting the wellbeing of children, youth, families and/or seniors; by addressing equality issues (e.g., gender, LGBTQ2S+, race, etc.); by addressing the unmet needs of under-served groups; or, by providing public outreach and education regarding important social issues. Program Grants specifically fund ongoing programs (e.g., services or activities), as well as minor capital projects and capital acquisitions related to program delivery.

Eligible applicants:

  • Be a not-for-profit (including designated Community Service Cooperatives). The organization must:

  • Have a primary purpose to operate for community benefit.

  • Provide programs that benefit the community and not solely its members’ interest.

  • Engage volunteers in the operation of the organization and/or program(s).

  • Have a voting membership that is inclusive and reasonably open to anyone with an interest in the organization and its programs

  • Have a board whose members do not receive remuneration or other financial benefit for their services

Deadline:

  • November 30, 2025

Funding amount:

  • Local organizations: Up to $125,000

  • Regional/Provincial organizations: Up to $250,000

 

Description: The Community Grant Program supports projects that benefit the Golden and Area A community. For charities, not-for-profits and unregistered organizations working to address community needs, utilizing interest generated from our community endowment.

Eligible applicants:

  • Qualified Donees: Registered charities under the Income Tax Act, or organizations able to issue official donation receipts.

  • Non-Qualified Donees: Local organizations, groups, or individuals who contribute to charitable purposes aligned with GDCF’s mission.

Deadline: October 15–29, 2025

Funding amount: Total available: $35,500 No minimum or maximum request amounts. Applicants are encouraged to use their best judgment based on community priorities.

 

Description: Since the KDCF was established in 2001 we have provided over $825,000 in support to more than 50 local community organizations. These groups include most of the charities in and around Kimberley as well as many of the amateur sports groups in town.

Eligible applicants: This grant is only open to Qualified Donees. If you are a Non-Qualified Donee, you must have a fiscal sponsor through a registered charity (Qualified Donee) to receive funds.

Deadline: October 31, 2025

Funding amount: A maximum of $5,000 per organization is available.

Contact: contact Des McKay at (250) 427-4008 / grants@kimberleyfoundation.ca

 

Description: Community Grants is an annual granting program that invests in ideas and activities that enhance the quality of life for the communities of the Columbia Valley. These grants are the Foundation’s most flexible funding opportunities for community service organizations.

Eligible applicants: To be eligible for funding through the Community Grants program, applications and their projects must:

  • Serve one or more of the communities in the Columbia Valley

  • Be submitted by a registered non-profit society or registered charity whose mission and mandate match the proposed project, and who demonstrate their own commitment to the project.

·        Address one of the following needs categories: Environment/Climate, Food & Agriculture, Health & Wellness, Belonging & Quality of Life, Housing, Getting Around/ Transportation, Learning and Safety

Deadline: October 31, 2025

Funding amount: range between $2,000 – $10,000.  The average grant is $3,000 – $4,000.

 

Workforce Development:

 

Description: Build Your Own Future is a Government funded business startup program for workers whose employment has been reduced or lost because of tariffs or mill closures. This accelerated program is designed to equip participants with the business skills, capacity training, and support needed to successfully start their own business.

Eligible applicants: This program is for:

  • Forestry workers impacted by BC Mill Closures or Curtailments

  • Individuals impacted by Tariffs

  • Contractors, workers, and Bridging to Retirement participants are welcome to apply. 

Deadline: None specified.

Funding amount: The $5000 grant will be provided at 2 stages. The first half ($2,500) will be available at the end of the 5-day cohort training session, the second half will be available upon program completion. This is a reimbursement for business expenses. Receipts documenting expenses incurred are required.

 

Description: The Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS) Climate Internship Program helps organizations in British Columbia reach their climate goals while giving university students in climate-related fields a chance to hone their skills and acquire relevant work experience.

Eligible applicants: B.C. organizations that can apply for internship funding:

  • Non-government organizations (registered non-profits)

  • First Nations and Indigenous organizations

  • Provincial government agencies and Crown corporations

  • Local governments

  • Cooperatives & social enterprises

  • Private companies

Deadline: November 7, 2025

Funding amount: up to $15,000 to eligible organizations to hire a student to assist with a climate action project in your organization/community. 

 

Description: This program helps strengthen the Early Childhood Educator (ECE) workforce by providing a training wage to ECE Assistants (ECEAs) and certified ECEs, employed by licensed childcare facilities in the Basin, to support them to complete and/or upgrade their ECE qualifications.

Eligible applicants: Licensed non-profit and for-profit childcare providers in the Basin region with the following designations are eligible to apply on behalf of eligible ECEAs and ECEs employed at their facility: Group Child Care, Multi-Aged Child Care, Preschools, Family Child Care, In-Home Multi-Age Child Care.

Deadline: Applications are accepted on a first-received, first-served basis and are assessed as they come in and continue until all funding for the program has been committed.

Funding amount: see Program Guide

Natural Resources:

 

Description: The PICS Community Climate Action Events program supports community events that aim to advance climate action that makes tangible impacts. Events could include a range of activities that inspire and contribute towards community climate action (e.g., planning and problem solving, building relationships and skills, and fostering meaningful conversations).

Eligible applicants:

  • Community organizations (registered non-profits)

  • Indigenous organizations and First Nations

Deadline: October 3, 2025

Funding amount: The program offers $2,500 to $5,000 for eligible events.

 

Description: HCTF Fish & Wildlife grants are available to anyone (provincial or municipal governments, First Nations, academic institutions, non-government organizations, industry) for projects that:

  • Focus on native freshwater fish, wildlife, and their habitats;

  • Have the potential to achieve a significant conservation outcome;

  • Align with our purposes as laid out in the Wildlife Act.

Eligible applicants: HCTF Fish & Wildlife Grants are available to anyone who has a proposed project that benefits fish, wildlife, and their habitats in British Columbia.

Deadline: November 7, 2025

Funding amount: There is no upper limit on funding requests but there is a 3-year limit to project funding*. F&W Grant budgets typically range from $10,000 to over $100,000 annually.

Emergency Management:

 

Description: The Columbia Basin Wildfire Resiliency Initiative is a regional program designed to strengthen wildfire resilience and reduce wildfire risk in communities across the Columbia Basin Trust region. A partnership between the Province of BC, BC Wildfire Service, the Ministry of Forests, and Columbia Basin Trust, this initiative supports locally driven projects that build community capacity through the seven FireSmart™ disciplines.

Eligible applicants:

  • Registered non-profits from communities with identified wildfire risk reduction need;

  • Legally incorporated society-run fire departments and brigades;

  • First Nations communities;

  • Post-secondary institutions; and

  • Local governments (municipalities or regional districts).

Deadline: November 4, 2025

Funding amount: Applicants can request up to 100% of total project costs, to a typical maximum amount of $200,000

 

Description: The Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF) is a suite of funding streams intended to enhance the resilience of local governments, First Nations and communities in responding to emergencies and to reduce risks from future disasters due to natural hazards and climate-related risks.

Eligible applicants: Varies for each stream, see link above for details.

Deadline: Varies for each stream, see link above for details.

Funding amount: Varies for each stream, see link above for details.

Contact: cepf@ubcm.ca

Webinar: 2025-2026 Community Emergency Preparedness Funding on October 8, 2025 (1:30 – 3:30 PM PST) – REGISTER HERE

 
 
 

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