Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Saint Lawrence Action Fund (FASL)

The Saint Lawrence Action Fund (FASL) is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and enhancing the St. Lawrence River, its gulf and associated coastal and fluvial environments. From its base in Québec City, FASL administers several targeted funding programs that channel public and private resources toward conservation, restoration and education projects carried out by local organizations. Its interventions are designed to support both ecological integrity and sustainable human use of the river.

FASL’s main funding programs include the Maritime Biodiversity of the St. Lawrence program, the Marine Protected Areas restoration program and the “Une rive en santé” shoreline planting initiative. These programs offer financial support to non-profit organizations, municipalities, Indigenous communities and other eligible promoters for activities such as habitat protection, shoreline stabilization, invasive species control, creation of access infrastructures, awareness campaigns and acquisition of scientific knowledge.

The programs are structured around calls for projects and, in some cases, continuous intake through a project catalogue. Applicants must submit standardized project forms and a detailed budget, demonstrate a minimum share of partner contributions, and show how their project aligns with recognized planning tools (PARE, PGIR, municipal blue-green plans, etc.).

For the Maritime Biodiversity program, projects are generally one year long and are grouped into key intervention fields such as preservation and protection, enhancement and access, restoration, and awareness and knowledge. Each field carries maximum contribution amounts, often ranging from roughly $20,000 to $75,000 depending on the nature of the intervention.

The Marine Protected Areas restoration program supports larger and multi‑year projects. Streams include prioritization strategies, pilot shoreline stabilization projects using soft engineering techniques, restoration of coastal and marine habitats, shoreline and underwater clean‑ups, and knowledge transfer and outreach. Funding ceilings can reach several hundred thousand dollars per project for complex restoration or stabilization work, while smaller amounts are available for cleanups and awareness initiatives.

Applicants must submit a completed application form, required appendices (support letters, partner commitments, maps, consents for work on private land) and, where applicable, a detailed budget breakdown. Proposals are first checked for eligibility and compliance with the values and objectives of FASL and its institutional partners. They are then reviewed by program coordinators and, when needed, external experts who assess relevance, expected impacts, partner support and alignment with regional priorities.

Final funding decisions are validated by FASL’s board of directors, which also ensures the absence of conflicts of interest. For accepted projects, a formal funding agreement specifies reporting obligations, timelines, deliverables and communication standards. Typically, 75% of the grant is paid at signature and the remaining 25% after submission of satisfactory final reports.

FASL primarily funds Quebec-based non-profit organizations, local and regional municipalities, Indigenous communities and other eligible legal entities wishing to implement projects along the St. Lawrence and within marine protected areas. In partnership with the City of Québec, it also co-finances turnkey shoreline revegetation services for riverside property owners under the “Une rive en santé” program.

Through its portfolio of supported projects – documented in detail in the “Projets soutenus” section – FASL contributes to restoring degraded shorelines, improving water quality, protecting species at risk, promoting responsible recreation and raising public awareness. Its role as an intermediary funder, working closely with government and maritime-industry partners, makes it a key actor in the St. Lawrence conservation and sustainable development ecosystem.