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Coast Funds Economic Development Fund
Funding for sustainable economic development in Indigenous communities
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
Varies by project
Timeline
- Open Date : July 9, 2024
Location
British Columbia, Canada
Overview
Economic development fund for participating First Nations for projects that have positive direct or indirect environmental or social impacts.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop a new product or service
- Develop an online presence
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Timeline
- Open Date : July 9, 2024
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- British Columbia
Legal structures
- For-profit business
- Sole proprietorship
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Development of environmentally sustainable shellfish aquaculture and fisheries.
- Implementation of technology and communications infrastructure, such as broadband internet.
- Establishment or expansion of tourism initiatives, including wildlife viewing and cultural or marketing infrastructure.
- Development of green building projects and non-carbon burning energy projects.
- Support for ecosystem-based management compliant forestry and non-timber resource harvesting.
Eligibility
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
Additional information
- 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.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Coast Funds Economic Development Fund Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Coast Funds Economic Development Fund. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Coast Funds Economic Development Fund?
Economic development fund for participating First Nations for projects that have positive direct or indirect environmental or social impacts.
Who is eligible for the Coast Funds Economic Development Fund program?
To be eligible for the Coast Funds Economic Development Fund program, you must:
For-profit entities must be fully or partially owned or controlled by a Participating First Nation, with a supporting resolution.
Businesses owned by individual members of a Participating First Nation require a supporting resolution for the application.
What expenses are eligible under Coast Funds Economic Development Fund?
Development of environmentally sustainable shellfish aquaculture and fisheries.
Implementation of technology and communications infrastructure, such as broadband internet.
Establishment or expansion of tourism initiatives, including wildlife viewing and cultural or marketing infrastructure.
Development of green building projects and non-carbon burning energy projects.
Support for ecosystem-based management compliant forestry and non-timber resource harvesting.
Who can I contact for more information about the Coast Funds Economic Development Fund?
You can contact Coast Funds by email at patricia@coastfunds.ca or by phone at 604-684-0223.
Where is the Coast Funds Economic Development Fund available?
The Coast Funds Economic Development Fund program is available the province of British Columbia.
Is the Coast Funds Economic Development Fund a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Coast Funds Economic Development Fund is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the Coast Funds Economic Development Fund?
Coast Funds Economic Development Fund is funded by Coast Funds