Non-profits and charities: grants and funding in British Columbia

Non-repayable funding for not-for-profits (incorporated, operating at least three years) that run business support services for women entrepreneurs. Projects of $250,000 to $6 million, from a total of up to $80 million. Proposals are due November 9, 2026 at 11:59 pm PST; late ones aren't considered.

Wage subsidies for employers who hire youth aged 15 to 30 for summer jobs. Not-for-profits can get up to 100% of the provincial or territorial minimum wage; public employers and private businesses with 50 or fewer full-time employees can get up to 50%. Applications for summer 2027 are open until December 3, 2026 at 11:59 pm Pacific.

Up to $2,000,000

AAFC funding for agriculture and agri-food industry associations and businesses to grow and diversify markets: up to $2 million a year and $10 million over five years, normally covering up to 50% of costs (70% in some cases). The intake is listed as open; contact the program before you apply. The program ends March 31, 2028.

Canadian Heritage funding for renovating arts and heritage spaces and buying specialized equipment, for not-for-profit arts and heritage organizations active for over two years, provincial and municipal governments and Indigenous governing bodies. New construction and planning studies are no longer accepted. Applications are taken on an ongoing basis for expenses between April 1, 2026 and March 31, 2028, while funds last.

Help for incorporated B.C. businesses with at least $1 million in annual revenue that have been hurt by tariffs and trade disruptions. Liquidity help pays up to 50% of average monthly payroll for up to 12 months (non-repayable, capped at $2 million); pivot projects get up to $1 million non-repayable, or more as a repayable contribution. PacifiCan is accepting applications, with no fixed deadline.

Up to $5,000

Wage subsidies of up to $5,000 per work placement for employers anywhere in Canada who hire post-secondary students. Employers apply year-round through one of 18 delivery partners (such as Technation, ECO Canada, BioTalent Canada and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce); some partners may be at capacity.

Up to $37,500

Up to $37,500 per project (75% of costs) for Canadian businesses with fewer than 500 employees, academic institutions and research centres to negotiate R&D partnerships with foreign partners. The next intake opens December 1, 2026 at noon Eastern for 24 hours, first come, first served.

BC Hydro incentives for businesses replacing lighting and other equipment with more efficient models, mainly for commercial and small industrial sites. Rates vary by equipment; past participants got an average of 40% of upfront costs back. Use a registered Alliance contractor and get pre-approval before you start.

$10,000 – $250,000

Loans of $10,000 to $250,000 for Black business owners and entrepreneurs across Canada, through the Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund (run by the Federation of African Canadian Economics with BDC). The program also funds Black-led not-for-profits that support entrepreneurs.

$20,000 – $500,000

Up to $500,000 a year (up to 50% of costs, or 75% for defence and security projects) for national industry associations to run trade missions, market research and export strategies for their member businesses. The 2026-27 round is closed; the 2027-28 round is scheduled to start in fall 2026.

Up to $500,000

Non-repayable grants of up to $500,000 (up to 60% of costs) for Canadian communities and community organizations working to attract foreign direct investment. Not open now: the next call is expected in January 2027, with information sessions in December 2026.

Up to $250,000

B.C. gaming grants for not-for-profits that run programs serving the broader community: up to $125,000 a year for local groups and $250,000 for regional or provincial groups. Programs must already be running (no start-up money). One program grant application per calendar year, online only; intake dates depend on your sector.

Up to $10,000

City of Kelowna cultural grants for incorporated non-profits working mainly in Kelowna: project grants (up to 50% of costs, to $10,000), general operating grants up to $10,000, organization development grants up to $5,000, core operating grants for established arts organizations, and an equity micro-grant. Heritage property grants are run separately.

Research internships with graduate students and postdocs, co-funded by Mitacs. A partner organization (business, not-for-profit, hospital or municipality) contributes from $7,500 per 4- or 6-month internship and Mitacs matches it, for a $15,000 research award. Applications are taken on a rolling basis; talk to a Mitacs advisor first.

Business strategy internships with a post-secondary student: a $10,000 award per 4- or 6-month internship, of which the partner organization pays $5,000 (or a $15,000 model with at least $7,500 from the partner). Businesses, not-for-profits, hospitals and municipalities can apply at any time through the Mitacs portal.

Vancouver Foundation's grants for B.C. charities, non-profits and neighbours: Transforming Systems Grants of up to $100,000 a year for three years, LEVEL BIPOC operating grants of $150,000 over three years, the Thriving Indigenous Systems Fund (next opens in 2027), Neighbourhood Small Grants up to $500 and Downtown Eastside arts grants up to $1,000. Most streams are closed or under review right now.

Victoria Foundation's Community Grants Program for registered charities and other qualified donees working in the Capital Region, with priority for organizations serving or led by equity-deserving groups. In 2025 the Vital Stream gave $6.19 million to 243 organizations. Dates and amounts are set in each year's guidelines.