About the 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;

• Support the development of crisis response plans;

• Materials for communication plans;

• Information sharing and tools to navigate the justice and public safety systems;

• 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 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; and

• Urban / off-reserve Indigenous organization/communities(s).

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, 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

There are 4 ways to apply:

1 – Complete the online form and upload any supporting documents separately.

2 – Complete the form-fillable PDF and email it in with your supporting documents.

• Completed application document

• Signature pages on application scanned in PDF

• All applicable Supporting Documents sent separately in PDF

3 – Submit a video application.

• Upload a private YouTube/Vimeo link with 5–8-minute video answering the questions that are in the application.

• Email us to share the link and provide your organizational information.

4 – Schedule a phone application.

• Schedule a time (45-60 minutes) to orally provide your application information, please note phone call will be recorded for transcription purposes.

Remember to send in your supporting documents!

• Scanned completed and signed application

• Letter of Financial Signature Authority authorizing this application (government and for-profits only)

• Audited Financial Statements for the last year (if applicable)

Deadline

The application deadline has been extended to September 22, 2023. 

Please note that a signature will be required for the final application.

Please send your questions and correspondence to:

Emilie Luhowy
Path Forward Assistant
Email: pathforward@bcaafc.com
Phone: 250-940-4893

The PDF form can be completed using the ‘Fill & Sign’ function on the Adobe Acrobat Reader desktop application. Download the latest free version of Adobe Acrobat Reader here.

Applications Due: September 22, 2023 at 11:59 PM (PST)

Applications Reviewed: September–October, 2023

Applicants Notified: Mid-October, 2023

Funds Received: Late-October/November, 2023

More Information

Information Session Slides [ PDF ]

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)

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)

Learn More

Learn about funded projects for Round 1 of the Path Forward Community Fund.

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.