Funding Indigenous-Led Non-Profits A Step Toward Reconciliation

The province is pouring $5,000,000 into grants for 23 Indigenous-led non-profit organizations from the Indigenous Resilience and Recovery Grant Initiative.

The funding is part of the $34-million Recovery and Resiliency Fund announced in March 2022 with $30 million from the Province and $4 million from Vancouver Foundation.

The initiative includes two funding streams and is being administered in partnership with the Vancouver Foundation, United Way BC and New Relationship Trust.

The Trust administered the grant application and award process for Indigenous-led non-profit organizations with annual operating budgets of more than $1 million. Through this funding stream, 22 organizations will each receive $72,000 per year over three years.

“Indigenous-led non-profits have faced enormous challenges in delivering services,” said Michele Babchuk, MLA for the North Island. “These grants will fill the financial gaps to make sure that these organizations can deliver meaningful reconciliation, while supporting people that need them.”

In the North Island, the U’mista Cultural Centre in Alert Bay will receive $216,000 over three years.

In Courtenay, the Wachiay Friendship Centre Society will receive $216,000 over three years.

The multi-year, flexible funding will support Indigenous organizations with pandemic-related recovery support and enhance organizational and economic resilience.

The province says the partnership aligns with the government's commitment to advancing meaningful reconciliation.

Indigenous-led organizations with budgets of less than $1 million were eligible to apply for the funding stream as well. Decisions on those applications are expected soon.