Coast Funds - Stewardship Operations Funding

• Completed application form
• Annual operating plan with detailed annual budget
• Council and/or board resolution of support
• Infrastructure budget and multi-year O&M budget, if applying for infrastructure funding

Who is eligible?

• Participating First Nations
• First Nation governing bodies listed as qualified donees
• Stewardship offices and resource management departments acting on behalf of a participating First Nation
• Non-profit societies with delegated conservation responsibility for a participating First Nation

Who is not eligible

• Organizations without delegated responsibility from a participating First Nation
• Businesses or entities not working on behalf of a participating First Nation

Eligible expenses

• Operating funding for stewardship offices or programs
• Operating funding for Guardian Watchman programs
• Infrastructure and office-related costs critical to stewardship operations
• Planning and capacity development activities

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Open net-cage finfish aquaculture
• Political activities
• Activities inconsistent with provincial laws, permits, regulations, policies, orders, or approvals
• Activities inconsistent with the Foundation’s constitution or charitable status
• Costs related to government consultation or statutory obligations, except in limited conservation-related cases

Eligible geographic areas

• Great Bear Rainforest
• Great Bear Sea
• Haida Gwaii

• Alignment with the Foundation’s goals
• Project viability and likelihood of success
• Clear success measures and risk assessment
• Strategic value, leveraging potential, and relationship considerations

• Step 1: Review eligibility and download the application form
  • Review the funding guidelines and confirm the project and organization are eligible.
  • Download the Stewardship Operations application form.
• Step 2: Prepare the application package
  • Complete the form with the proposed work plan, funding request, and supporting details.
  • Attach the annual operating plan, detailed annual budget, and council or board resolution.
• Step 3: Submit by email
  • Send the completed documents by email to your staff contact.
  • If needed, contact Coast Funds to discuss the application or complete it verbally.
• Step 4: Review and decision
  • Coast Funds reviews the application and forwards it to the appropriate approval body based on the amount requested.

• Applications are reviewed after a complete submission is received.
• Staff assess eligibility, viability, risks, and alignment with program goals.
• Applications are then recommended for approval or decline by the relevant decision body.
• A funding agreement must be signed before any funds are disbursed.
• Recipients must submit regular reports and a final report.

• Applications can be submitted at any time.
• There are four funding rounds each year.
• Complete applications require the application form, an annual operating plan, and a council or board resolution of support.
• If you applied previously, Coast Funds may pre-fill part of the application.