Closed
Northern Healthy Communities Fund
Supports community readiness amid Northern B.C. economic growth
Last Update: May 26, 2026
Funding available
$ 500,000
Timeline
- Closing date : June 15, 2025
Location
British Columbia, Canada
Overview
Provides up to $500,000 for capital projects, or up to $300,000 for capacity building, to help Northern B.C. communities adjust to growth linked to LNG Canada and Coastal GasLink. Eligible activities include service expansion, facility upgrades, equipment purchases, housing supports, health and emergency services, childcare, and small business resiliency initiatives.
/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
- Attract or retain talent
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 500,000 $
- Up to 90% of project cost
Timeline
- Closing date : June 15, 2025
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Health care and social assistance
- Public administration
Location
- British Columbia
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
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
- Capacity building projects that expand or improve community services in response to LNG-related economic growth
- Capital projects to upgrade, improve, or build facilities, or purchase equipment that supports community services
- Projects in housing and wraparound services, health support, addiction counselling, emergency services, or victim and Indigenous support services
- Projects that expand childcare, small business recruitment, retention and resiliency, or local and Indigenous government capacity
- Examples include additional staffing, expanded service hours or areas, social housing or shelter upgrades, childcare space development, and cultural space improvements
Documents Needed
- Completed application form
- Detailed project budget
- Detailed quotes or a detailed cost breakdown
- Verification of other funding approval
- Resolution of support from the appropriate local government or Indigenous Nation
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Eligible local governments in listed Northern British Columbia communities
- Eligible Indigenous Nations in listed Northern British Columbia communities
- Registered not-for-profit organizations providing services within eligible communities
Who is not eligible
- For-profit businesses
- Unregistered not-for-profit organizations
- Organizations that do not provide services within the program’s eligible communities
- Local governments or Indigenous Nations outside the program’s listed eligible communities
Eligible expenses
- Incremental staff or contract wages, direct project labour, and eligible employer costs where permitted
- Capital items and project materials, such as equipment, furniture, appliances, and materials required for an incremental program
- Contractor fees, incremental third-party project management, and tool or equipment rentals for construction work
- Travel at reasonable economy rates, meeting room or AV rental, external printing, and incremental office space
- PST, in-kind volunteer labour, and monetized donations where accepted by the program
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- GST and any costs incurred before formal approval, including work started or deposits paid
- Existing operational or administrative costs, including rent, utilities, core staffing, and existing positions
- Benefits, WCB, bonuses, allowances, and costs related to recruiting, hiring, relocating, or terminating staff
- Legal, insurance, food, and beverage costs
- Planning, design, engineering, environmental reviews, land or building purchase or lease fees, routine maintenance, internal equipment usage, construction equipment or tool purchases, and projects that displace core government funding
Eligible geographic areas
- Communities adjacent to the LNG Canada and Coastal GasLink projects in Northern British Columbia
- Eligible local government areas include Dawson Creek, Fort St. John, Prince George, Terrace, Chetwynd, Fort St. James, Houston, Hudson’s Hope, Kitimat, Mackenzie, Taylor, Tumbler Ridge, Vanderhoof, Smithers, Burns Lake, Fraser Lake, Pouce Coupe, Telkwa, Peace River Regional District, Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako, Regional District of Fraser-Fort George, and Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine
- Eligible Indigenous Nations include Blueberry River First Nations, Doig River First Nation, Gitga’at First Nation, Gitxaala Nation, Hagwilget Village Council, Haisla Nation, Halfway River First Nation, Kitselas First Nation, Kitsumkalum First Nation, Lake Babine Nation, Lax Kw’alaams Band, Lheidli T’enneh First Nation, McLeod Lake Indian Band, Metlakatla First Nation, Nadleh Whut’en First Nation, Nak’azdli Whut'en Band, Nee-Tahi-Buhn Band, Office of the Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs, Saik’uz First Nation, Saulteau First Nations, Skin Tyee Nation, Stellat’en First Nation, Ts’il Kaz Koh First Nation, West Moberly First Nations, Wet’suwet’en First Nation, Witset First Nation, and Yekooche First Nation
Processing and Agreement
- Only complete applications that meet program requirements are processed.
- Northern Development conducts a due diligence review and may contact relevant agencies or organizations during assessment.
- Applications are reviewed against program objectives, key deliverables, applicant contribution, requested funding share, and supporting information.
- If approved, a funding agreement must be signed before any advance payment can be requested.
- Final reporting must be submitted and approved before the remaining funding is released; capital recipients must also complete two years of key deliverables reporting.
Additional information
- The fund is administered by Northern Development on behalf of British Columbia’s Ministry of Municipal Affairs.
- Capacity Building applicants must identify at least 3 key deliverables, including people served and communities served.
- Capital applicants must identify at least 4 key deliverables, including support or services, communities served, and projected job creation.
- Successful recipients must track project outcomes and complete reporting after the project.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Northern Healthy Communities Fund Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Northern Healthy Communities 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 Northern Healthy Communities Fund?
Provides up to $500,000 for capital projects, or up to $300,000 for capacity building, to help Northern B.C. communities adjust to growth linked to LNG Canada and Coastal GasLink. Eligible activities include service expansion, facility upgrades, equipment purchases, housing supports, health and emergency services, childcare, and small business resiliency initiatives.
How much funding can be received?
Northern Healthy Communities Fund Funds up to 90% of admissible expenses, capped at $500,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Northern Healthy Communities Fund program?
To be eligible for the Northern Healthy Communities Fund program, you must:
Eligible local government, Indigenous Nation, or registered not-for-profit
Project serves eligible Northern B.C. communities
Project fits an eligible priority category
What expenses are eligible under Northern Healthy Communities Fund?
Capacity building projects that expand or improve community services in response to LNG-related economic growth
Capital projects to upgrade, improve, or build facilities, or purchase equipment that supports community services
Projects in housing and wraparound services, health support, addiction counselling, emergency services, or victim and Indigenous support services
Projects that expand childcare, small business recruitment, retention and resiliency, or local and Indigenous government capacity
Examples include additional staffing, expanded service hours or areas, social housing or shelter upgrades, childcare space development, and cultural space improvements
Who can I contact for more information about the Northern Healthy Communities Fund?
You can contact Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT).
Where is the Northern Healthy Communities Fund available?
The Northern Healthy Communities Fund program is available the province of British Columbia.
Is the Northern Healthy Communities Fund a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Northern Healthy Communities Fund is a Grant and Funding