Each month we provide an update on UBCM funding programs and information on other programs, events and resources that may be of interest to local governments and First Nations.
Local Government Program Services
The administration of provincially-funded grant programs is continuing at UBCM during the COVID-19 pandemic, including adjudication of intakes that closed before March 15, 2020, review of final reports and processing of all payments.
Extensions to project end dates and final report deadlines are available for any approved project impacted by COVID-19. Extensions are available for all applicants that have applications under review and who may need additional time to meet application requirements. To request an extension or to discuss the status of any programs, contact the appropriate Program Officer or email lgps@ubcm.ca.
Applications are currently being accepted for the following funding programs. A complete and chronological listing of grants currently offered by Local Government Program Services is also available on the UBCM website.
Housing Needs Report Program: Due to COVID-19, the May 2020 intake has been postponed until further notice. Any applications received will be processed after the new intake deadline. Prospective applicants should be advised that based on available funding, this will likely be the final intake of this funding program.
Regional Community to Community Forums: The goal of a Regional C2C Forum is increased understanding and improved overall relations between First Nations and local governments. Forum events are intended to provide a time and place for dialogue to build on opportunities, support reconciliation efforts, and resolve issues of common responsibility, interest or concern. Two intake deadlines have been set for the 2020/21 fiscal year: September 4 and December 4, 2020.
See the recently published Guide to Community to Community Forums in British Columbia for more information and helpful advice on convening a forum, including sample event plan, agenda, etc.
Asset Management Planning: Matching grants of up to $15,000.00 are available to support activities that advance a local government’s asset management planning or practices, and that facilitate better integration of asset management planning with long term financial planning. The application deadline is September 11, 2020.
Other Funding
Canadian Red Cross COVID-19 Emergency Support to Community Organizations: Thanks to the Government of Canada Emergency Community Support Fund, the Canadian Red Cross is making grants and training available to community organizations across the country through two main programs, Granting Program for Non-profits Program and Preventing Disease Transmission Training and Equipment Program.
First Nations community guide on accessing additional COVID-19 supports: Extensive links and information on federal Indigenous Services Canada resources available during the pandemic.
COVID-19 Community Response Fund for Vulnerable Populations: A collaboration between FCM and the Canadian Medical Association Foundation, this program directly funds cities and communities to support vulnerable populations struggling with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Community Connectedness Grants: Grants of up to $5,000 plus in-kind supports are available for up to 15 local governments working with health authorities and other partners to better understand priority areas and local needs and to take action to improve connection in their community or region, even during public health emergencies calling for folks to be physically apart. Apply to BC Healthy Communities by July 15, 2020.
Healthy Community Engagement Grants: Grants of up to $15,000 each plus in-kind supports are available for up to five local governments working with health authorities and other partners to better understand priority areas and local needs and to take action to improve social connectivity in their community or region. Apply to BC Healthy Communities by July 15, 2020.
Municipal Asset Management Program: MAMP is an eight-year, $110-million program funded by Infrastructure Canada to support Canadian municipalities and communities in making informed infrastructure investment decisions based on stronger asset management practices.
Funding for Energy Efficient Affordable Housing: This $300 million FCM initiative offers support to local and affordable housing providers, including local governments, to retrofit affordable housing units or build new energy efficient units. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis until annual funds are exhausted.
BC Housing Community Housing Fund: The BC Government is inviting non-profit and Indigenous housing societies, First Nations, housing co-operatives and municipalities to propose new affordable housing projects for the second intake of the Building BC: Community Housing Fund. The RFP will remain open until mid-January 2021. Organizations that have “Construction-Ready Projects” are encouraged to apply early, by September 4, 2020.
Indigenous Agriculture and Food Systems Initiative: The objective of this initiative is to increase economic development opportunities of Indigenous Peoples and communities in Canada by supporting Indigenous communities and entrepreneurs who are ready to launch agriculture and food systems projects and others who want to build their capacity to participate in the Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector. Proposals can be submitted at any time until September 30, 2022.
First Nations Adapt Program: This federal program supports First Nation communities to assess and respond to climate change impacts on community infrastructure and emergency management. It prioritizes communities most impacted by sea level rise, flooding, forest fires, and winter road failures. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis.
FCM Funding Opportunities: Visit this site to learn about FCM’s funding offerings, from plans and studies, to pilot and capital projects, and more.
Northern Development Initiative Trust: Northern Development offers a range of funding programs suited to a diverse set of economic development priorities in central and northern British Columbia.
Columbia Basin Trust: CBT offers the grants and programs to help residents and communities in the Basin take action on issues that are important to them.
Other Funding Opportunities: BC Healthy Communities has compiled a list of funding opportunities worth knowing about, along with guides and resources to support your grant writing activities.
Events & Resources
Honouring Indigenous History and TRC's Calls to Action: June is National Indigenous History Month, recognizing the first peoples across Canada, their rich and distinct cultures, languages and diversity. This month also marks the 5th anniversary of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) Calls to Action.
Creating Age-friendly Communities: This webinar on June 9, 2020 at 10:00am, will present tips that can help communities in optimizing their Age-friendly assessment and planning process and get the most out of their efforts towards improving the lives of older people, their families, and their communities.
Community Wildfire Program Innovation Grants Webinar: The Columbia Basin Trust recently invited First Nations and local governments in the Basin to submit expressions of interest for the development or implementation of innovative projects that will mitigate communities’ wildfire risks. Please attend this webinar on June 10, 2020, 9:00-10:30am PT, to learn more and get involved in these innovative collaborations.
BC FireSmart Website: This website introduces the FireSmart program and its seven disciplines and is intended as a one stop shop for all things FireSmart. The site includes links to training, education, an events calendar, resource library and downloadable content. It also features a short video inviting everyone to become involved in prevention and to learn about the benefits of FireSmart.
BC Rural Centre: The Centre provides a wealth of links to assets, news, videos, services, and resources of value to rural British Columbians.
Advancing and Integrating Municipal Natural Asset Management: Ontario is the first province in Canada to regulate asset management planning at the municipal level, with all 444 Ontario municipalities required to have a strategic asset management policy and asset management plan for core and all other municipal infrastructure assets. The regulation also requires municipalities to inventory, value, and integrate green infrastructure – including natural infrastructure and, by extension, natural assets – into their asset management planning. MNAI has developed this helpful report.
Financing tools for local climate action: Canadian municipalities are reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through pilot projects, municipal programs, and more. However, financing these initiatives can be a significant challenge. FCM’s toolkit explains how your municipality can leverage private and community investors to help you take action on climate change in your community.
ReTooling for Climate Change: The Fraser Basin Council hosts this first-stop website on climate change adaptation. Here is the place to find top tools and resources for BC local governments, First Nations and the natural resource sectors as everyone prepares for the impacts of climate change, now and in the years ahead.
Weathering the Storm - Developing a Canadian Standard for Flood-Resilient Existing Communities: This report from the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation presents a flood hazard and vulnerability screening framework that can help identify areas in existing residential communities that require the most immediate attention for flood risk. Application of the framework will enable communities to make better-informed decisions when prioritizing areas for flood-resiliency programming.
Resources for Rural & Small Communities: BC Healthy Communities has launched a collection of resources related to PlanH action areas, with a rural and small community lens.
Building sustainable communities with asset management: This guidebook is designed for staff or elected officials in medium and large municipalities who are responsible for green projects or who are interested in municipal sustainable development.
CivicInfo BC: British Columbia's local government information hub offers comprehensive organizational and grant directories, events listings, tools for training, research and career development, bids & tenders, and other resources.