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Nation Building Grant

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Program Category: Climate Preparedness and Adaptation
Project Type(s): Energy Efficiency (Housing / Buildings), Renewable Energy, Mapping, Food Security, Risk Assessments, Environmental Stewardship, Active Transportation, Economic Development, Monitoring, Innovation, Emergency Mitigation / Preparedness / Planning, Waste Reduction and Circular Economy, Natural Asset Inventories and Management

Deadline Details

The annual intake and approval process will open each calendar year in May and close, the earlier of December or when the annual funding available has been exhausted.

Funder

New Relationship Trust (NRT)

Funder Organization Type

  • Indigenous Organization

Funding Range

  • Small (up to $50K)
  • Medium ($50K-$250K)

Eligible Community

  • Indigenous Communities
  • Modern Treaty Nations

Eligible Project Activities

  • Project Feasibility
  • Capacity Building for the Community
  • Project Planning
  • Project Implementation (e.g. Design / Procurement / Construction)

Nation Building supports First Nations and Tribal Councils in British Columbia to complete projects that strengthen their community through capacity building and/or nation governance initiatives, according to their self-determined priorities. This funding is meant to be flexible to meet the unique and diverse community needs.
 
Applicants can apply for a 1-year grant of up to $60,000, or 2-year grant of up to $120,000
 

Example project types are listed below. It is a non-exhaustive list, so if you are unsure if your project is eligible, please contact NRT before applying to validate the project concept or idea.

  • Land-use, strategic, community energy, and economic development plans
  • Governance capacity, legal frameworks, and policy development
  • Title, Rights, and resource management strategies
  • Custom election and membership codes
  • Genealogy studies and records digitization
  • Housing policies and community development planning
  • Community safety, justice, and climate action strategies
  • Habitat restoration and environmental feasibility studies
  • Commercial development and business acquisition plans
  • Digital tools and platforms for community engagement

Eligible Community

BC First Nation Communities, BC Tribal Councils (including organizations under the Nation or Tribal Council authority).
Must be a BC First Nation or BC Tribal Council as recognized by the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations. 

Required Community Contribution

No community contribution required

Funding Stacking Restrictions

No

Application Limit per Community

1

Professional Input Required

No

Specific Eligibility Requirements

Two-year grants are limited and only available to projects that demonstrate a substantial workload and require significant effort. NRT will carefully review each two-year application to ensure it meets this criterion.

Type of Funding

  • Grant

Range of Funding Available per Project

  • Small (up to $50K)
  • Medium ($50K-$250K)

Description of Funding

  • 1-year grant of up to $60,000, or

  • 2-year grant of up to $120,000

  • One project per Nation or Tribal Council per year (including organizations under the Nation or Tribal Council authority) is eligible. 

Eligible Costs

Design
Planning
Community Engagement
Equipment/Material Purchase
Project Management
Capacity Building for the Community
Training
Reporting
Awareness and Education
Research and Development

New Relationship Trust (NRT) will consider all projects and activities meant to strengthen the institutional, governance, and community capacities in reclaiming and rebuilding resiliency, self-determination, and sovereignty within each Nation’s context.

  • Professional, legal, technical, and consulting fees (quotes are required if cost is $15,000 or more to one consultant/contractor/service provider.
  • Community engagement costs.
  • Supplies, materials, and equipment costs.
  • Capital materials and software acquisition.
  • Capacity development & training, mentorship, & Knowledge sharing related to the project.
  • Other reasonable costs or incremental costs associated with the project.

 

Ineligible Costs

Any costs incurred prior to signing a funding agreement
Building Purchase Costs
Staff Costs
Land Acquisition

  • Existing administration and overhead costs not associated directly to the project.
  • Existing staff wages, salaries, or top-ups or honorariums to employees. Only salaries for new hires directly related to your Nation Building project are eligible.
  • Capital expenditures not directly related to a project.

Reporting Requirements

Progress reports and final reports

Expected Timeframe for Funding Decision

Funding applications will be validated upon submission based on organization and project eligibility, application completeness and nation-building concept or idea. Please allow up to 2 weeks after submitting a fully complete application to receive a funding decision.