Health and Wellness Grant for Indigenous Communities

Opportunity

• Maximum grant amount available: up to $8,500 (for up to ten Indigenous communities/organizations).
• Access to resources and supports from BC Healthy Communities staff (see application infosheet for more details)

Eligibility

The following local governments and organizations in BC are eligible to apply:

• First Nations Bands
• First Nations Tribal Councils
• Métis Chartered Communities
• Friendship Centres

The following organizations are not eligible to apply:

• Municipalities
• Regional Districts
• Individuals
• For-profit groups
• School Districts
• Hospital Foundations
• Community Groups
• Non-profit organizations (with the exception of Indigenous Friendship Centres in BC)
• Health Authorities

This opportunity could be for you if you:

• Represent an Indigenous local government or Friendship Centre, and
• Have community partners who share your interest in improving community health.

This funding encourages multi-sectoral partnerships. We suggest that ineligible organizations contact eligible organizations to discuss collaborating on a project.

Eligible local governments and organizations who are working in partnership with their health authority and other sectors and who are interested in applying should read the application infosheet thoroughly.

Objectives

1. LEARN: Deepen learning and understanding of the ways to improve community health and well-being;
2. ENGAGE & COLLABORATE: Convene, engage and develop shared leadership and action between local governments, Indigenous communities, health authorities and other sectors that can influence community health and well-being; 
3. TAKE ACTION: do a needs assessment, prepare plans or develop specific policies that improve outcomes for the community as a whole and over the long term.

Criteria

The Health and Wellness Grant for Indigenous Communities supports projects that:

• Develop partnerships and build relationships, encouraging different groups to work together and connecting people to each other, to their culture and to their community.
• Engage community members to identify needs and build on community assets and strengths.
• Improve outcomes for the community as a whole and over the long term.
• Develop and strengthen skills and resources within the community.
• Build healthy environments (cultural, social, physical, and economic) that support all community members to thrive.
• Scale or expand programs with proven success and positive community impacts.
• Events and activities that are part of a larger healthy community strategy.

Possible activities/projects to pursue

Here are a few examples of possible activities you could pursue as a part of this grant stream.  

• Build healthy community environments
• Engage and identify community strengths, assets & needs
• Strengthen skills and build capacity
• Advocate for improved health outcomes
• Expand an existing program with proven impacts

Check out the grant application infosheet for a more detailed list of activities and project examples.

How to Apply

There are several ways to apply for funding. Choose the option that works best for you:

• Online: Application available at: http://planh.ca/funding/indigenous
• By Email: Send us an email at grants@planh.ca to tell us about your project or request an application form
• By Phone: Give us a call at 250-590-8432 and tell us about your project.
• By Fax: Please call us at the number above and we can arrange to receive your fax.