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Cultural Indigenous Funding (CIF) - Vancouver - British Columbia - Canada
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Cultural Indigenous Funding (CIF)

Core funding for Indigenous-led cultural organizations in Vancouver
City of Vancouver
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
$ 15,000 - $ 40,000
Timeline
  • Open Date : August 27, 2025
  • Closing date : October 1, 2025
Location
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Overview

The Cultural Indigenous Funding (CIF) program offers up to $40,000 to support the core operations of Indigenous-led non-profits, co-ops, charities, or First Nations Band councils in Vancouver. The grant funds capacity-building and the delivery, creation, production, and dissemination of arts and cultural programming by organizations supporting Indigenous artists and communities.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals
  • Increase social or community impact
  • Improve governance or administrative structure
  • Develop strategic partnerships
Eligible Funding
  • Maximum amount : 40,000 $
  • Minimum amount : 15,000 $
Timeline
  • Open Date : August 27, 2025
  • Closing date : October 1, 2025

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries
  • Information and cultural industries
  • Arts, entertainment and recreation
Location
  • Vancouver
  • British Columbia
Legal structures
  • Financial cooperative
  • Non-profit
  • Public or Parapublic institution
  • Non-financial cooperative
Annual revenue
  • All revenue ranges
Organisation size
  • All organization sizes
Audience
  • Indigenous Peoples
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
  • All industries
Target groups
  • All the groups
Revenue structures
  • All structures
Scope
  • All dimensions

Next steps

1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility

Activities funded

  • Creation, production, and presentation of artistic and cultural works led by Indigenous organizations.
  • Development and delivery of ongoing cultural and arts programming for Indigenous communities.
  • Community engagement initiatives supporting Indigenous artists and cultural practitioners.
  • Capacity building projects strengthening Indigenous-led cultural organizations.

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Indigenous-mandated and led cultural organizations
  • Registered non-profit societies
  • Co-operatives (co-ops)
  • Registered charities
  • First Nations Band councils

Who is not eligible

  • For-profit businesses and private enterprises.
  • Organizations that are not led by Indigenous communities or do not serve Indigenous artists and cultural practitioners.
  • Groups that do not deliver programs and services within Vancouver, unless they are Musqueam, Squamish, or Tsleil-Waututh organizations in their traditional homelands.
  • Applicants that are not registered non-profit societies, co-ops, charities, or First Nations Band councils.
  • Organizations with an annual expense budget below $50,000 for the past 3 years.

Eligible expenses

  • Core operational expenses for Indigenous-led cultural organizations.
  • Costs associated with delivering artistic and cultural programming.
  • Expenses related to building organizational capacity.
  • Compensation for artists and staff at standard industry rates.
  • Accessibility-related costs for applicants who are Deaf/deaf, Hard of Hearing, or living with a disability, up to $500 for application support.

Eligible geographic areas

  • Organizations with an active presence in Vancouver.
  • Organizations delivering programs and services within Vancouver.
  • Organizations led by the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), or səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples, operating in their traditional homelands.

Additional information

  • Grant payments for successful applicants are scheduled for January 2026.
  • CIF grants are limited to no more than 50% of an applicant’s most recent actual expense budget.
  • New recipients typically start with a base grant of $15,000, with possible adjustments based on available funding.
  • Applicants requiring accessibility support for completing applications may access up to $500 for assistance.

Contacts

mary.shin@vancouver.ca

Frequently Asked Questions about the Cultural Indigenous Funding (CIF) Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Cultural Indigenous Funding (CIF). 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 Cultural Indigenous Funding (CIF)?

The Cultural Indigenous Funding (CIF) program offers up to $40,000 to support the core operations of Indigenous-led non-profits, co-ops, charities, or First Nations Band councils in Vancouver. The grant funds capacity-building and the delivery, creation, production, and dissemination of arts and cultural programming by organizations supporting Indigenous artists and communities.

How much funding can be received?

Cultural Indigenous Funding (CIF) Funds up to $40,000 of admissible expenses.

What is the deadline to apply?

The application deadline for this grant program was October 1, 2025.

Who is eligible for the Cultural Indigenous Funding (CIF) program?

To be eligible for the Cultural Indigenous Funding (CIF) program, you must: Be a registered non-profit society, co-op, charity, or First Nations Band council Have an active presence and deliver programs in Vancouver or in traditional homelands if led by Musqueam, Squamish, or Tsleil-Waututh peoples Maintain a minimum annual expense budget of $50,000 for the past 3 years

What expenses are eligible under Cultural Indigenous Funding (CIF)?

Creation, production, and presentation of artistic and cultural works led by Indigenous organizations. Development and delivery of ongoing cultural and arts programming for Indigenous communities. Community engagement initiatives supporting Indigenous artists and cultural practitioners. Capacity building projects strengthening Indigenous-led cultural organizations.

Who can I contact for more information about the Cultural Indigenous Funding (CIF)?

You can contact City of Vancouver by email at mary.shin@vancouver.ca.

Where is the Cultural Indigenous Funding (CIF) available?

The Cultural Indigenous Funding (CIF) program is available the province of British Columbia.

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