Stewardship Grants: Stream 2 Capacity Grants
Not accepting applications
Deadline Details
Applications open mid-late January and close February 28th annually. The next intake deadline will be February 28, 2027.
Funder
Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation
Funding Organization Type
- Non-Governmental Organization or Society
Funding Range
- Small (up to $50K)
Eligible Community
- Local Governments
- Indigenous Communities
- Métis Nations
- Modern Treaty Nations
Eligible Project Activities
- Capacity Building for the Community
- Project Planning
- Project Implementation (e.g. Design / Procurement / Construction)
Capacity Grants support activities that build skills, foster collaboration, and advance early-stage planning to enhance future conservation outcomes
Goals of the Grant:
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Build community conservation skills and expertise through targeted, specific training directly related to conservation, monitoring, or restoration activities.
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Support collaboration efforts that bring partners together to address shared fish, wildlife, and habitat challenges.
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Promote early-stage planning and assessment to identify conservation priorities, design effective strategies, and prepare for future project implementation
Eligible Community
Applications must be made by an individual representing with the lead organization. The Project Lead is responsible for administering the grant and ensuring compliance with its terms and conditions. This includes overseeing grant activities, delivering value for money, managing risks, and maintaining financial controls.
Required Community Contribution
No community contribution required
Funding Stacking Restrictions
No
Professional Input Required
No
Other Eligible Communities
Indigenous-owned BusinessesOther
Indigenous Organizations
Non-governmental Organizations / Not-for-Profits
Academic Institutions
Type of Funding
- Grant
Range of Funding Available per Project
- Small (up to $50K)
Description of Funding
Eligible expenses up to $25,000. Grant completion must be within 2 years of approval. Funding will be provided in two separate payments: 80% of the total funding at the start of the project and the remaining 20% after the project is completed and the final report submission has been approved.
Eligible Costs
PlanningCapacity Building for the Community
Training
Eligible Budget Items
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Honoraria and contract labour: Payments to Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Local Knowledge Holders, consultants, or short-term project specialists.
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Salaries and wages: As of 2026, up to 30% of the grant (maximum $7,500) may cover staff salaries and wages for work directly related to the approved project outcomes. This excludes general administration and overhead costs.
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Specialized project training: Training that builds skills directly related to the approved conservation outcomes.
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Field equipment, materials, and supplies: Items necessary for training or capacity-building activities (maximum $10,000).
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Travel expenses: Mileage and other project-related travel costs.
Eligible Activities
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Early-stage assessment and planning activities (e.g., pilot projects, scoping or feasibility studies, testing field methods).
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Capacity-focused background research and analysis to inform conservation planning or training (e.g., desktop review, mapping, best-practice review, discussions with regional and/or biology experts, Indigenous knowledge systems and methodologies).
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Partnership development and collaborative planning activities (e.g., partner meetings, networking sessions, workshops, focus groups, knowledge sharing, community input).
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Project-specific technical, cultural, or advisory support, including consultants, short-term staff, honoraria, and field-based mentors, trainers, or advisors.
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Specialized training courses relevant to the project such as guardians or keepers training (e.g., Streamkeepers, Wetlandkeepers, etc.); technical and scientific training (e.g., GPS, mapping, data collection, testing equipment); sampling and surveying techniques, monitoring and cameras, remote sensing or vegetation monitoring that directly link to project objectives; or training for the development of a conservation leader(s) in Indigenous communities by supporting post-secondary training (1- or 2-year certificate/diploma).
Ineligible Costs
Any costs incurred prior to signing a funding agreementAdministration Fees
Staff Costs
Land Acquisition
Ineligible Activities
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Marine projects, except for activities that occur in estuary habitat.
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Salmon only projects or projects focused on federally managed species that do not also provide benefits to provincially managed fish species or their habitats. (https://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/salmon-saumon/index-eng.html)
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Fish rearing, farming, stocking, feeding, or hatchery projects.
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Captive breeding and rearing, feeding and/or control of native wildlife species except for activities that are part of population recovery projects.
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Administration costs for general overhead (e.g., office space rental, furniture, equipment, supplies, computers, phones, photocopying, etc.), including any flat-rate or percentage-based admin fee.
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General staff training, certifications, or professional development unrelated to the approved project objectives, including internal organizational planning or non-project specific skill development.
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Media production and communications.
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Invasive species programs: Capacity Grants may consider invasive species control as part of an overall project (e.g., training or planning).
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Purchase of capital assets (physical or intangible property or items used by the organization with a useful life extending beyond one year that provides a lasting benefit or service potential): Items over $1,000 per unit, including vehicles, boats, ATVs, quads, trailers, snowmobiles, computers, drones, etc., and any equipment or technology not dedicated solely to the project.
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Construction, purchase, or improvement of infrastructure (the basic physical structures and facilities that support an organization's operations or program delivery): Includes buildings, docks, campsites, roads, bridges, utilities (such as hydro poles and hydro lines), office spaces, storage facilities, and similar fixed physical items providing a public or organizational service, usually permanent or long‑lasting.
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Salaries for regular Provincial government employees (their time should be listed as inkind). Wages for auxiliary employees assigned to the project are eligible.
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Law enforcement, site security, legal, or insurance costs.
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Purchase of land, tenure, lease, or licenses.
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Project activities taking place outside of British Columbia (project leaders or staff may reside outside the province).
Reporting Requirements
Final report only
Expected Timeframe for Funding Decision
3 monthsTechnical Review by a Committee, followed by review from the HCTF Board of Directors.