This page includes links to grant writing resources, as well as funding databases and specific grants for Canada and each province or territory in Western Canada (Canada is listed first, followed by provinces and territories in alphabetical order).

Grant Writing Resources

Canada

Funding Databases

Specific Grants

Mitacs Indigenous Call

Mitacs is currently offering a discount to fund innovation projects that include Indigenous post-secondary students and/or Indigenous businesses or not-for profit organizations that support Indigenous priorities in Canada. The reduced cost also applies to organizations with a mandate to work with Indigenous peoples or if their board comprises more than 50 per cent Indigenous people.

From now until January 29, 2021, Indigenous partner organizations or projects that include an Indigenous intern are eligible for a reduced fee for a four-to-six-month internship. A business investment of $2,500 can fund an undergraduate business student that receives a $10,000 internship award, and an investment of $3,750 can fund a graduate-student researcher that receives a $15,000 internship award.

Environment Canada Eco-Action Community Funding Program

  • Since 1995, this program has provided financial support to community-based, non-profit organizations for projects that have measurable, positive impacts on the environment. The Program encourages action focused projects that will protect, rehabilitate or enhance the natural environment, and build the capacity of communities to sustain these activities into the future.

Grassroots Communities Mining Mini-Grant Program

  • The Western Mining Action Network-Indigenous Environmental Network Mining Mini-Grant Program gives away $180,000 annually in $3,000 increments to grassroots organizations across the US and Canada.
  • Applications accepted are accepted three times a year:  June 1, October 1, and February 1.

Mountain Equipment Co-op Community Contributions

  • Funding programs are in place for the following categories: Land Acquisition, Capacity Building, Advocacy and Awareness, and Access and Activity.

North America Association for Environmental Education

  • In recognition of our world’s changing needs, UL and NAAEE are proud to support innovative non-profit programs embracing E-STEM to inspire the next generation of scientists, business leaders, researchers, inventors, and engineers. 
  • Five recognition grants of $25,000 to $100,ooo will be distributed for innovation and excellence in the E-STEM field. 

Evergreen Canada

  • Evergreen is one of Canada’s leading funders of community and school greening projects.
  • Evergreen has multiple grant programs including Green Grants, We are Cities: Community Innovation Grant, School Ground Greening Grants, the Take a Root Program, and Watershed Champions.

Royal Bank of Canada Blue Water Project

  • Launched in 2007, the RBC Blue Water Project is a 10-year global charitable commitment of $50 million to help provide access to drinkable, swimmable, fishable water, now and for future generations.
  • Community Action ($1,000 – $10,000) and Leadership ($10,001 – $100,000) grants available. 
  • Grants are awarded to registered local or community-based organizations that protect watersheds and promote access to clean drinking water

Patagonia Foundation

  • Grants of up to $12,000 are available for small, grassroots, activist organizations with direct-action agendas, working on campaigns or projects to preserve and protect our environment. 
  • Funding is also available as part of the World Trout Initiative.

Federation of Canadian Municipalities

  • The Green Municipalities Fund  provides funding to three types of municipal environmental initiatives: grants to develop plans; grants to conduct feasibility studies and field tests; and below-market loans (usually in combination with grants) to implement capital projects.
  • Funding is allocated in five sectors of municipal activity: brownfields, energy, transportation,waste and water.

North American Partnership for Environmental Community Action

  • This grant program is designed to support non-profit nongovernmental organizations in Canada, Mexico and the United States that work with local communities to create a shared sense of responsibility for stewardship of the environment.

The Gainey Foundation

  • Established in memory of Cathy and Laura Gainey, the Gainey Foundation is committed to supporting charitable organizations that offer environmental and arts education programs for youth.

Columbia Basin Trust Grassland and Rangeland Enhancement Program

  • Delivered for the Trust by the Kootenay Livestock Association, the Grassland and Rangeland Enhancement Program supports efforts to maintain and/or enhance grassland resources while meeting conservation, environmental and recreational objectives.
  • Objectives include promoting the stewardship of the grassland resource, striving to maintain and enhance biodiversity and long-term fish and wildlife productivity in public grassland ecosystems and improving compatibility between livestock management and recreation use.

Columbia Basin Trust Ecosystem Enhancement Program

  • The goal is to help maintain and improve ecological health and native biodiversity in a variety of ecosystems, such as wetlands, fish habitat, forests and grasslands. The program will run for five years with a budget of $10 million.
  • The Trust will identify projects focused on enhancement, restoration and conservation by seeking input from community groups, First Nations representatives and government experts, and reviewing existing regional plans and research.

Habitat Stewardship Program

  • As part of Canada’s national strategy for the protection of species at risk, the Government of Canada established the Habitat Stewardship Program (HSP). The overall goals of the HSP are to “contribute to the recovery of endangered, threatened, and other species at risk, and to prevent other species from becoming a conservation concern, by engaging Canadians from all walks of life in conservation actions to benefit wildlife.”
  • The HSP allocates approximately $12.7 million a year to projects that both conserve and protect species at risk and their habitats and to those that prevent other species from becoming a conservation concern.

The Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk

  • The Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk (AFSAR), established in 2004-2005, supports the development of Aboriginal capacity to participate actively in the implementation of the Species at Risk Act (SARA). The AFSAR program allocates approximately $4.7 million a year to projects that both conserve and protect species at risk and their habitats on Aboriginal lands and waters to those that prevent other species from becoming a conservation concern.

Alberta

Specific Grants

Alberta Ecotrust

  • Alberta Ecotrust supports the people and projects that effectively address Alberta’s most pressing environmental issues through grants that enable Alberta environmental non-governmental organizations to more effectively deliver programs, projects, and results that advance their environmental missions within our issue priorities.
  • Alberta Ecotrust presently has three grant streams: Community Grants, Major Projects, and Collective Action Grants.

Land Stewardship Centre Watershed Stewardship Grants

  • Through this program, grants of up to $10,000 are awarded to watershed stewardship groups which are working in their communities to raise awareness of local watershed issues or improve the condition of their local watershed.
  • A new grant stream under the current Watershed Stewardship Grant Program has started to fund wetland-specific projects in support of the Wetland Policy. Grants up to $10,000 will be issued in 2015 to eligible groups on a per-project basis.

Alberta Conservation Association

  • This fund supports conservation activities by individuals, organizations and communities that contribute to fish and wildlife population health and the health of their environments, and to the understanding, appreciation and use of those environments. Projects that increase participation in and awareness of outdoor opportunities, while developing knowledge and respect for conservation, are also funded through this grant.

 

British Columbia

Funding Databases

Specific Grants

Pacific Parklands Foundation Grants

The Nature Trust BC

  • Funding opportunities include the Brink/McLean Grassland Conservation Fund and the Rain Garden Fund.

Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia

  • General Grants for up to $20,000 are available, with priority to initiatives related to of sustainable communities under the focus areas of fresh water, sustainable food systems, and well-planned built environments.

Northern Development Initiative Trust

  • Northern Development offers a range of funding programs suited to a diverse set of economic development priorities in central and northern British Columbia.

Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program

  • Fund projects that enhance and conserve fish and wildlife and that align their Action Plans in the BC Coastal, Columbia, and Peace Regions.
  • Refer to their Funding Information Kit for details.

Columbia Basin Environmental Education Network (CBEEN) Professional Development Bursary Program

  • The program goals are to increase recipient’s capacity to deliver environmental education in the Canadian Columbia Basin region and increase the capacity of other CBEEN members to deliver environmental education through the sharing of new information, resources, or skills gained through Pro-D activities.

Columbia Basin Trust

  • Grant funding is available to support the mandate of the Columbia Basin Trust: to improve environmental conditions in the Basin; to identify social and economic priority issues and implement mechanisms to address them; to improve Basin residents understanding and involvement in water issues; and to ensure youth in the Basin are actively engaged in addressing social, economic, and environmental issues.

Columbia Valley Local Conservation Fund

  • CVLCF funding is available for conservation projects that result in the reduction to a known threat to biodiversity.
  • Proponents must be a registered not-for-profit organization, First Nations band, or local government. Unqualified groups or organizations may partner with a qualified organization.
  • Multi-year projects are acceptable to a maximum three years.

Stewards of the Future

  • This program from the Lieutenant Governor of BC encourages and supports youth to get outside and explore their own communities to discover and document unique attributes, identify and research key issues of concern, and investigate stewardship initiatives.
  • In addition to activities and resources, Stewards of the Future provides funding and support for high school teachers and other educators to go on field trips, visit local sites of interest, and engage in stewardship projects in their communities.

Kootenay Conservation Program Professional Development Bursaries

  • $500 – $1000 bursaries for staff or volunteers at partner organizations of the Kootenay Conservation Program.

 

Saskatchewan

 Funding Databases

Specific Grants

EcoFriendly Sask Action Grants

  • EcoFriendly Sask provides small grants of up to $500 to support local projects that will benefit the environment.

 

Manitoba

Funding Databases

Specific Grants

Government of Manitoba – Supporting Solutions for Sustainability

  • The P2 branch supports innovative solutions to environmental issues through the Sustainable Development Innovations Fund (SDIF). The SDIF supports projects, activities, research and developments that further the sustainability of Manitoba’s environment, economy, human health and social well-being.
  • Targeted funding programs under the Fund are the Wate Reduction and Pollution Prevention Fund, Manitoba Climate Change Action Fund, and the Water Stewardship Fund.

Lake Winnipeg Foundation

  • The Lake Winnipeg Foundation supports projects working to improve water quality in Lake Winnipeg and its watershed. Their Stewardship, Research and Education Grants Program awards grants range from $500 to $10,000, and covering up to 100% of eligible project costs, depending upon fund availability.

Assiniboine Credit Union

  • The Sustainable Community Grants support projects and programs that foster Community Renewal, Environmental Sustainability, and Community Enterprise Development, with funding ranging from $500 to $5,000 dollars.

 

Yukon

Funding Databases

Specific Grants

Yukon River Panel Restoration and Enhancement Fund

  • The Yukon River Panel anticipates that up to approximately U.S. $1.2 million will be available to fund Yukon River restoration and enhancement projects in 2015. Both private and public sector applicants are eligible for funding.

 

Northwest Territories

Funding Databases