Heritage Legacy Fund (HLF) - Heritage Planning Program

Who is eligible?

• Registered non-profit organizations
• Registered charities
• Local governments
• First Nations governments and organizations
• School boards
• Religious organizations that own heritage assets (with certain conditions)

Who is not eligible

• Individuals
• Unregistered organizations
• Private businesses
• BC Government Agencies

Eligible expenses

• Commissioning, researching, and generating planning documents related to heritage conservation and awareness (such as conservation assessments, heritage assessments, statements of significance, interpretation plans, accessibility audits, emergency and maintenance plans).
• Structural and/or seismic evaluations, assessments, or surveys required for heritage planning documentation.
• Preparation of eligible planning documents by external consultants or professionals.
• Itemized heritage conservation work related to the direct physical conservation of eligible heritage resources (building exteriors, original interior features if formally recognized, historic structures, building code upgrades, seismic upgrades, conservation of historic sites, cemeteries, or cultural landscapes), under the Heritage Conservation stream.
• Research, design, and production costs for publications or media that increase public awareness of heritage resources (signs, interpretive panels, brochures, guides, permanent or online exhibits, educational websites), under the Heritage Awareness stream.
• In-kind labour directly related to eligible heritage project activities, valued at accepted rates.

Eligible geographic areas

• British Columbia

• Inclusion of priorities such as climate action/adaptation, accessibility, reconciliation, and cultural awareness in the application or organization.
• Demonstrated innovation, sustainability, creativity, and ability to reach a wide audience (specifically for Heritage Awareness projects).
• Clearly established heritage values of the resource and significant contribution toward conservation of those values (specifically for Heritage Conservation projects).
• Presence of a tangible product or outcome with a clear plan to raise public awareness (specifically for Heritage Awareness projects).

• Step 1: Review Program Guidelines and Policies
  • Access and carefully read the updated Heritage Legacy Fund (HLF) grant guidelines and supporting documents available from May 1, 2025.
  • Familiarize yourself with the specific requirements for the Heritage Planning Program and other available funding streams.
• Step 2: Confirm Eligibility and Request Access
  • Contact Heritage BC program staff at grants@heritagebc.ca to confirm both applicant and project eligibility.
  • Complete your eligibility check between June 2 and August 2, 2025.
  • Upon confirmation, request a password/code to access the online application form.
• Step 3: Gather Required Information and Supporting Materials
  • Download and use the Pre-Application Worksheet provided by Heritage BC to organize the required information and supporting documentation.
  • Collect all necessary supporting documents including contractor quotes (minimum of one for Heritage Planning projects), project budget, financial statements, and any relevant images or supporting evidence.
• Step 4: Complete Online Application Form
  • Log in to the Heritage BC online application portal using the access code provided by program staff.
  • Fill out all sections of the online application form; ensure all required fields and supporting materials are included as per instructions.
• Step 5: Submit Application
  • Submit your completed online application through the Heritage BC portal before the deadline of August 15, 2025 at 12:00 noon.
• Step 6: Await Funding Decision
  • Applications will be reviewed after the closing date, and notifications for both successful and unsuccessful applications will be issued in November 2025.

• Successful applicants must acknowledge financial support from the Heritage Legacy Fund in all project signage and promotional materials.
• Photographs are required for Heritage Conservation applications and encouraged for other funding streams.
• Updated guidelines and worksheets for applicants are made available annually to assist with application preparation.
• A pre-application worksheet is available to guide applicants in organizing materials before accessing the online application form.