Path Forward Community Fund

Path Forward Community Fund

The objective of the Path Forward Community Funds is to increase community safety planning and capacity building to ensure the self-determination of Indigenous communities in addressing Indigenous-specific systemic causes of gender-based violence. Organizations may submit more than one application provided the intended outcomes of the projects are different.

The Path Forward funds eligible activities include:

• Building capacity;
• Hosting engagement and facilitation;
• Supporting the development of crisis response plans;
• Materials for communication plans;
• Information sharing and tools to navigate the justice and public safety systems;
• Serving Indigenous people with disabilities who may face GBV
• Culturally appropriate safety training; and
• Cultural support and healing.

Applicant Eligibility Requirements

This funding is open to any of the following Indigenous agencies and communities in B.C.:

• Applicant(s) identified as Indigenous person(s) and/or organization(s)
• Applicant(s) identified as First Nations, Bands, and/or Tribal Councils
• Treaty First Nation Governments
• Métis Chartered Communities
• Métis organizations or service providers
• Urban / off-reserve Indigenous organization / communities(s)
• Indigenous Business

The distribution of medium-sized grants will be guided by diverse Indigenous people(s) who will serve on the adjudication committee that reflect the various regions, on-and off-reserve, disabled community members, 2SLGBTQQIA+ communities, men, boys, and Elders and youth, First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and non-status communities. The Path Forward Community Fund will be accessible to First Nations communities, urban / off-reserve communities, Métis and 2SLGBTQQIA+ communities.

Apply for Grant Funds

Application Deadline

The application deadline is October 3, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. PST.

Please Note

This year, there are two different applications. One for new projects and one for renewing the funding of existing projects.

Updates

Path Forward June 2025 Status Update

2025 Funding Announcement

Contact

Please send your questions and correspondence to:

Emilie Luhowy
Gender Based Violence Program Coordinator
Email: pathforward@bcaafc.com
Phone: 250-940-4893

Info Session 

We are hosting another virtual Path Forward Community Fund information session on Wednesday, September 24, at 1:00 PM (PDT). If you signed up, participation information will be emailed to you before the event.

Past Info Session

Watch a recording of our Path Forward info session that took place on July 16, 2025.

Eligibility

Eligible uses for Path Forward funds include:

• Building capacity
• Hosting engagement and facilitation
• Support to develop crisis response plans
• Materials for communication plans
• Information sharing and tools to navigate the justice and public safety systems
• Culturally appropriate safety training
• Healing and Cultural Support

Applicant Eligibility Requirements

The Path Forward Community Fund is open to any of the following Indigenous agencies and communities in British Columbia only.

• Applicant(s) identified as Indigenous person(s) and/or organization(s)
• ‰Applicant(s) identified as a First Nations, Bands, and/or Tribal Councils
• Treaty First Nation Governments
• Métis Chartered Communities
• Métis organizations or services providers
• Urban/off-reserve Indigenous organization/Communities(s)

Adjudication Committee

The Path Forward Community Fund Adjudication Committee of 8 diverse Indigenous Women gathered for two days to discuss and suggest changes to our Path Forward Application and Project Guidelines. Some of the core values supporting these decisions include:

• Diversity
• Respect
• Compassion
• Integrity
• Authenticity
• Power (Being true to self/reclaiming their/your power)
• Resilience
• Honour (Kindness, Humour, Gratitude )
• Collaboration
• Community

Project Reporting

All recipients of A Path Forward Funding will be required to complete a mid-point and final project report. The purpose of the report is to learn about your project, hear about what the successes and challenges were, understand the impact your project had, and ensure that we have a good record of the work that took place so that we can continue to advocate for more Indigenous-led initiatives like this in the future.

Grantees will be contacted by the Project Coordinator with an invitation to participate in a survey to assist with this reporting. Grantees are also welcome and encouraged to reach out throughout the project to let us know how your project is going!

Round 2 Projects Closed: September 30, 2023 (Applied in 2022)

Round 3 Projects Closed: September 30, 2024 (Applied in 2023)

Funded Projects

Path Forward Round 1

Aboriginal Coalition to End Homelessness

Thale:ylexw Axtxw Foundation

Carrier Sekani Family Services

Hulitan Family and Community Services

Lake Babine Nation

Land Back Healing Society

Malahat Nation

Lii Michif Family Support Services

Nawican Friendship Centre

North Cariboo Metis Association

Okanagan Nation Alliance

Squamish Nation

Stolo Services Agency

Tears to Hope Society

The Dze L K’ant Friendship Center Society

Tlatzten Nation

Vancouver Aboriginal Health Society

Waceya Metis Society

Wachiay Friendship Centre

Path Forward Round 2

Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis First Nation Gilford

Dudes Club

Fraser Regional Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association

Indigenous Women Rise Society

Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Centre

Kermode Friendship Society

Lillooet Friendship Centre

North Okanagan Friendship Centre

Pa’LaTWit Society of the Lower Lillooet Lake

Sacred Wolf Friendship Centre

Support Network for Indigenous Women and Women of Colour

Xaxli’p Nation

Path Forward Round 3

Protect our Indigenous Sisters

Tears to Hope Foundation

Victoria Native Friendship Centre

Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Centre

Lower Fraser Valley Aboriginal Society

Metis Nation Greater Victoria

Penticton Indian Band

Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre

Fraser Valley Metis Association

High Bar First Nation

Indian Residential School Survivors Society

North Island Metis Association

Prince George Native Friendship Centre

Skidegate Band Council

Tahltan Government

Wachiay Friendship Centre

Kermode Friendship Centre

Tillicum Lelum Aboriginal Friendship Centre

Path Forward Round 4

BCHIS

Carrier Sekani Family Services

CEDARS R.I.S.E.

Haisla Nation

Kathleen Lounsbury

Kelly Lake First Nation

Ki Low Na Friendship Centre

Lil’wat Nation

Loud Voice Society

Métis Nation Greater Victoria

Mowachaht Muchalaht First Nation

North Okanagan Friendship Centre Society

Okanagan Nation Alliance

Sekwelwas First Nation

Support Network for Indigenous Women & Women of Colour

Splatsin Health Centre

Squamish Nation

Takla Nation

Tears to Hope Society

Tillicum Lelum Friendship Centre

T’sasala Group

Tseil-Waututh Nation

Vancouver Aboriginal Child & Family Services Society

Yun Yah Indigenous Society

Yunesit’in Government

Wachiay Friendship Centre

Kamloops Friendship Centre

Kawatsi Consulting

Prince George Friendship Centre

Sto:lo Service Agency

Lillooet Friendship Centre

PACK

Learn More

The 2025 Path Forward funding announcement can be read here.

The 2025 Status Update of A Path Forward: Priorities and Early Strategies for B.C.

The 2024 Path Forward funding announcement can be read here.

Read a copy of A Path Forward: Priorities and Early Strategies for B.C. June 2024 Status Update

More information on the Path Forward dialogues, priorities, and provincial response can be found in the 2021 Status Update.

Read Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

Learn more about the BCAAFC Statement on the Path Forward Community Fund here.

Funding for the Path Forward Community Fund in 2024-25 was made available through a new Canada-British Columbia bilateral agreement as part of the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence. Support for the Path Forward Community Fund furthers the ongoing work under Safe and Supported: B.C.’s Gender-Based Violence Action Plan.