Economic Strategy Stream

For this funding stream, we welcome applications led by:

• First Nations, including governments, bands, corporations controlled by First Nations, and First Nations not-for-profit organizations
• Local and regional governments, including municipalities, regional districts, and incorporated areas with populations <5,000 residents
• Registered not-for-profit organizations including:
  • Community associations representing a rural unincorporated community or regional district electoral area, and
  • economic development organizations

We encourage proposals that foster economic reconciliation with First Nations and Indigenous people. Often, great projects create meaningful partnerships and mutually beneficial opportunities based on holistic, values-driven approaches to attaining community economic prosperity.

Under this stream, we don’t fund individuals, industry associations, community-benefit companies, or businesses operating for private profit. 

Under the Act governing the Trust, projects must be located within our defined service region. See Our Region for a map.

In recognition of First Nations territories, the Trust welcomes proposals from First Nations for projects in areas adjacent to our service region that deliver economic development outcomes benefiting communities within the region.

The update of an economic development strategy published in the past 10 years.

We fund 50% of the total project to a maximum of $30,000 per project. Our investment is always one part of a larger funding package that includes other funders and ideally a contribution from the organization leading the project.

• Consultant and professional service fees
• Research, analysis, and planning activities
• Community and partner engagement activities
• Data collection and technical studies
• Other direct costs required to complete the approved project
• Costs incurred after Trust staff have provided written confirmation the application is complete

• Ongoing organizational operating expenses
• Internal staffing and administration costs
• In-kind contributions
• Capital purchases and construction activities
• Costs unrelated to the approved scope of work
• Cost incurred prior to Trust staff providing written confirmation that the application is complete

We have a continuous intake with no posted deadlines. When we start working together, we focus on preparing a complete application for one of the three Regional Advisory Committee meetings we hold each year.

To learn more about our process, see How We Fund – Building your proposal.

We bring more to a project than money. We aim to be a true partner, invested not only in what gets built but in the impact it creates and the outcomes it delivers. Our How We Fund page walks through our developmental approach to investing in economic projects, from the first conversation to the final report:

• Connecting with us
• Building your proposal
• Submitting
• Due diligence, review, and decision
• Agreement and funding
• Project implementation and reporting

As you build your proposal, we encourage you to read our Application Form.

When you are ready to submit, your complete application includes the documents below. We are glad to talk through any of them with you before you start.

Detailed Project Plan, including your description of the economic strategy project you will undertake and the process you will follow to produce the following deliverables:

• A comprehensive economic development strategy covering five or more years, developed through an inclusive process with partners, rightsholders, and key stakeholders, that includes:
  • Asset mapping
  • Demographic research and analysis
  • Data analysis
  • Sector analyses
  • A formal community engagement and consultation process
  • A focused action plan with a resourcing and implementation plan
• A detailed work plan and budget

Along with the project plan, please provide:

• Quotes from one or more qualified consultants or business advisors
• Letters of support from partners, rightsholders, and key stakeholders, including local businesses
• Your most recent financial statements, audited if available
• For first-time not-for-profit or community-owned company applicants: your constitution, bylaws, articles, and current list of directors