Heritage Legacy Fund (HLF) - Heritage Conservation Program

• The applicant must be a registered society (including non-profits and charities), local government, First Nations government or organization, or a school board.
• Religious organizations may apply if they own the heritage asset and demonstrate an active, inclusive, and community-supported program or service.
• The applicant must be an up-to-date, paid member (corporate, government, or group) of Heritage BC.
• For projects where the applicant does not own the heritage site, evidence of a long-term lease or management agreement extending at least three years beyond project completion must be provided.
• The project must involve the preservation, rehabilitation, or restoration of a built-heritage resource and directly contribute to the conservation of the physical heritage fabric.

Who is eligible?

• Registered non-profit organizations and societies
• Charities
• Local governments
• First Nations governments and organizations
• School boards
• Religious organizations that own heritage assets and demonstrate active, inclusive community programs or services

Who is not eligible

• Individuals
• Unregistered organizations
• Private businesses
• Government agencies of the Province of British Columbia

Eligible expenses

• Exterior building conservation work (repair of foundations, roofs, parapets, cornices, masonry, original wall claddings, windows, doors, columns, towers, porches, architectural features, etc.).
• Conservation of historic structures (outbuildings, garages, sheds, barns, bridges, trestles, railway turntables and platforms).
• Building Code upgrades and fire safety improvements directly related to conservation (structural, mechanical, electrical, fire exits, emergency lighting, sprinklers, accessibility upgrades).
• Seismic upgrading to strengthen the heritage structure if directly related to conservation.
• Conservation of original interior features or materials, if legally protected or formally recognized as essential character-defining features (e.g., staircases, stained glass, fixed furnishings, historic finishes, special floor designs).
• Conservation work for historic sites, cemeteries, or cultural landscapes limited to direct conservation of existing historic resources (original memorials, grave markers, tombstones, fences, gates, trellises, rock walls, railings, decorative paving, or light standards with a clear connection to British Columbia history).

Eligible geographic areas

• British Columbia

• Degree to which the application demonstrates the heritage value of the resource for the community, particularly as it relates to character-defining elements.
• Significance of the project's contribution to the conservation of heritage values.
• Preference given to projects that are formally recognized or legally protected community heritage resources.
• Inclusion of priorities such as climate action/adaptation, accessibility, reconciliation, and cultural awareness.
• Evidence of a clear plan for ongoing maintenance and conservation.

• Funding is provided on a cost-sharing basis, with applicants responsible for at least 50% of project costs.
• The program encourages projects that prioritize climate adaptation, accessibility, reconciliation, or cultural awareness, which may receive additional consideration.
• Successful applicants must acknowledge the financial support of the Heritage Legacy Fund in promotional materials and signage.
• All applications must include current photographs documenting the existing condition of the heritage resource.