Closed
Source verified July 9, 2026
Pathways to Safe Indigenous Communities Initiative
Indigenous safety and well-being funding
Offered by
Funding available
$ 1,000,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Canada
Who can apply
First Nations governments and communities in Canada, including bands, district, tribal councils and associations
See full eligibility
Overview
Pathways to Safe Indigenous Communities Initiative supports Indigenous communities and organizations across Canada with contributions of up to $1,000,000 per year to improve community safety and well-being. Eligible activities include engagement, research, pilot projects, capacity building and culturally appropriate services, while eligible costs include salaries, professional fees, travel, equipment and infrastructure-related expenses.
/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 : 1,000,000 $
- Up to 100% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Social Services
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- Indigenous peoples
- Women & girls
- LGBTQ+ community
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- All dimensions
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Engagement with or by Indigenous organizations and communities to identify gaps and opportunities for the Pathways Initiative
- Activities that promote physical and mental safety and well-being, improve community safety and well-being, and reflect and promote Indigenous culture and language
- Engagement, feasibility and diagnostic studies, safety and well-being evaluations, information gathering, proposal development, strategic planning, community planning and research activities
- Activities that support programming related to the specific safety and well-being needs of Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQIIA+ and adults and older adults
- Activities that enable self-determination, Indigenous control and governance, pilot projects, capacity and professional development, volunteer recruitment and screening, and community development activities from 2022 to 2023 through 2026 to 2027
Documents Needed
- Proposal and budget
- Cash flow statement, if applicable
- Letter of support, if required
Official resources
Application form
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- First Nations governments and communities in Canada, including bands, district, tribal councils and associations
- Inuit representative organizations, Inuit governments and Inuit communities
- Métis representative organizations and Métis settlements; Indigenous organizations; national, regional and local Indigenous organizations; non-governmental and voluntary associations and organizations, including non-profit corporations; educational or research institutions and associations
Eligible expenses
- Salaries and employee benefits; professional fees and contracts; honoraria for elders
- Domestic travel and transportation; vehicle purchase, ownership and maintenance costs, including insurance as applicable
- Meetings, hospitality, training and development, equipment, translation and communications, materials and supplies, event and other security needs
- Audit and evaluation; insurance; legal and banking fees; overhead administration costs
- Operations, capital costs and infrastructure development, workshops, conferences and meetings, research and studies, and costs of engaging consultants or other qualified professionals
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- International travel, unless pre-authorized in writing
- Deficit recovery
- For-profit initiatives and investments
- Law enforcement activities or police services and organizations
Selection criteria
- Preference is given to Indigenous community and organization designed and led projects.
- Priority is given to projects focused on the safety and well-being of Indigenous women and girls or other under serviced and vulnerable populations in communities.
- The completeness of the application may be a factor depending on capacity needs.
- Assessment considers the project objectives, feasibility, proposed outcomes compared to the funding requested, and scalability.
- Assessment also considers the assets and needs of the target beneficiaries and community, and the demonstrated support of Indigenous peoples, the community and other partners in designing and delivering the project.
Processing and Agreement
- Proposals and supporting documents are reviewed by Indigenous Services Canada and considered for funding.
- Additional documentation may be requested to assess new funding recipients for eligibility and suitability.
- Information in the application may be shared with external consultants, review committee members, officials in other federal departments, and provincial or territorial governments for assessment purposes and potential co-funding opportunities.
- Progress payments are subject to periodic reports of activities and expenditures, which are reviewed and validated by the department.
- At a minimum, contribution recipients must submit annual financial reports or financial audits.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Pathways to Safe Indigenous Communities Initiative Program
What is the Pathways to Safe Indigenous Communities Initiative?
Pathways to Safe Indigenous Communities Initiative supports Indigenous communities and organizations across Canada with contributions of up to $1,000,000 per year to improve community safety and well-being. Eligible activities include engagement, research, pilot projects, capacity building and culturally appropriate services, while eligible costs include salaries, professional fees, travel, equipment and infrastructure-related expenses.
How much funding can be received?
Pathways to Safe Indigenous Communities Initiative Funds up to 100% of admissible expenses, capped at $1,000,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Pathways to Safe Indigenous Communities Initiative program?
To be eligible for the Pathways to Safe Indigenous Communities Initiative program, you must:
Eligible recipients must be one of the recipient types listed for the program.
The recipient must have the legal capacity to enter into a funding agreement, for example, being incorporated.
What expenses are eligible under Pathways to Safe Indigenous Communities Initiative?
Engagement with or by Indigenous organizations and communities to identify gaps and opportunities for the Pathways Initiative
Activities that promote physical and mental safety and well-being, improve community safety and well-being, and reflect and promote Indigenous culture and language
Engagement, feasibility and diagnostic studies, safety and well-being evaluations, information gathering, proposal development, strategic planning, community planning and research activities
Activities that support programming related to the specific safety and well-being needs of Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQIIA+ and adults and older adults
Activities that enable self-determination, Indigenous control and governance, pilot projects, capacity and professional development, volunteer recruitment and screening, and community development activities from 2022 to 2023 through 2026 to 2027
Who can I contact for more information about the Pathways to Safe Indigenous Communities Initiative?
You can contact Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) by email at vcas-psic@sac-isc.gc.ca.
Where is the Pathways to Safe Indigenous Communities Initiative available?
The Pathways to Safe Indigenous Communities Initiative program is available across Canada.
Is the Pathways to Safe Indigenous Communities Initiative a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Pathways to Safe Indigenous Communities Initiative is a Grant and Funding