Coast Funds Economic Development Fund

Who is eligible?

• Shellfish aquaculture businesses
• Fisheries operations
• Technology and communications infrastructure providers (e.g., broadband internet)
• Tourism operators (including cruises and cultural/marketing infrastructure)
• Mushroom harvesting and non-timber forest product businesses

Who is not eligible

• Companies engaged in open net-cage finfish aquaculture.
• Businesses involved in trophy hunting for game, including bear and/or carnivore hunting.
• Organizations focused on healthcare, social services, housing, community centers, or community beautification.
• Businesses conducting activities inconsistent with ecosystem-based management or provincial and federal laws and regulations.
• Companies involved in large-scale extraction of subsurface resources or acquisition of fishing licences for stocks targeted for harvest reduction.

Eligible expenses

• Capital expenditures for infrastructure investments, supported by valid quotations for materials and construction.
• Multi-year operating and maintenance (O&M) costs associated with eligible infrastructure.

Eligible geographic areas

• Great Bear Rainforest
• Haida Gwaii

There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. The criteria include:

• Alignment with the organization's goals and objectives
• Demonstrated impact on economic development
• Feasibility and sustainability of the proposed initiative
• Evidence of community benefit and support
• Ability to measure and report on outcomes

• Step 1: Review Fund Policies and Eligibility
  • Consult the Economic Fund – Funding Approval Policy to understand guidelines and requirements for the application process.
  • Ensure your project aligns with the Fund’s priorities and eligible activities.
• Step 2: Prepare Project Documentation
  • Develop a complete funding application including project details and objectives.
  • If applying for infrastructure project funding, prepare required documents such as a business plan or a summary analysis demonstrating economic benefits.
  • Include a detailed capital expenditure budget with valid quotations for materials and construction.
  • Include a detailed multi-year operating and maintenance budget to support infrastructure investments.
  • Obtain a resolution from the Participating First Nation supporting the application, if required.
• Step 3: Submit Application
  • Compile all required documents and supporting materials.
  • Send the completed application and supporting documents to Coast Funds.
  • For questions or to submit the application, contact Patricia Sayer at patricia@coastfunds.ca or call 604-684-0223 ext 9.

• The Economic Development Fund follows monitoring, reporting, and evaluation procedures recommended as best practices and outlined in its internal policies.
• Application guidelines and fund policies are informed by the parameters in the fund's governing documents.
• Applicants must ensure all submitted information is consistent with the fund's constitution and policies.