The Cultural Indigenous Funding (CIF) program provides core support for Indigenous mandated and led organizations in Vancouver. Recipients are cultural organizations that develop, create, produce, present, and disseminate artistic work, or provide services or space in any artistic discipline.
CIF supports and sustains the core operations of organizations that are led by Indigenous communities, to uphold, recognize, and support xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh, and Urban Indigenous artists and cultural practitioners, grounded in inherent and constitutionally protected Indigenous Rights.
The CIF program supports organizations to build capacity, to deliver artistic and cultural programming, and for other needs that the equity and/or accessibility-driven cultural organization identifies. Common characteristics of groups supported by this program include:
- Supporting Indigenous artists and communities in ways that are embedded in their mission, leadership, operations, finances, programs, and services
- Being recognized by their peers as having high impact and trust within their cultural community
- Challenging dominant operational models to build organizations in ways that reflect the community they serve
- Operating with an annual budget generally between $50,000 and $250,000
Key dates (subject to change)
| Description |
Date |
| Expression of interest form opens for new applicants |
June 25, 2025 |
| Expression of interest due |
July 30, 2025 |
| Applications open |
August 27, 2025 |
| Applications due |
October 1, 2025, 11:59 pm |
| Council approval of grant recommendation |
December 2025 |
| Grant payment |
January 2026 |
Grant amounts
CIF grants will not exceed 50% of an applicant’s last actual expense budget. New recipients generally start with a base level grant of $15,000 and may be recommended for a higher amount based on available funding.
CIF grants currently range from $15,000 to $40,000.
Review information on previous grant awards and recipients PDF file (219 KB)
Eligible applicants
To be eligible for this program, organizations need to meet the following:
- Organization status:
- Be a registered non-profit society, co-op, charity, or First Nations Band council
- Have an active presence in and deliver programs and services within Vancouver, or if led by either the xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples, held in their traditional homelands
- Mission and mandate:
- Have a clear mission with explicit commitments to support Indigenous artists and communities in ways that are embedded in their mission, leadership, operations, programs, and services
- Funding history:
- For new applicants: Have received 2 grants through the Communities and Artists Shifting Culture (CASC) program
- Financials:
- Have sustained a minimum annual expense budget of $50,000 for the past 3 years
There are additional considerations to be a priority to receive funding:
- Programs:
- Have a history of consistent annual delivery of impactful arts and cultural programs or services
- Compensate (or is building towards compensating) artists and staff at minimum standard industry rates
- Organizational capacity:
- Have a governance model that is supportive of the mission, a healthy and inclusive workplace, and the staff and people served
- Have professional and experienced leadership in artistic and/or administrative roles
- Have workplace policies or practices which support a healthy and respectful workplace for staff and volunteers
How to apply
- Review the CIF information guide PDF file (263 KB)
- Previous Cultural Indigenous Grant (CIG) recipients may apply online and will be emailed the access code
Important note New applicants:
- New organizations interested in being considered for cultural core support were invited to submit an expression of interest (EOI) form in July.
- EOIs will be reviewed by staff based on program eligibility and grant history in August. A limited number of organizations who submitted an EOI will be invited to submit a full grant application to CIF, based on anticipated available funding.
- Organizations who submitted an EOI will be contacted in mid-August. Submitting an EOI does not guarantee an invitation to apply or receiving a grant. Funding may allow for 4-6 new groups to receive support.
Application support
Applicants who are Deaf/deaf, Hard of Hearing, or live with a disability and need support to complete their grant applications can access up to $500 towards the costs of assistance from service providers. Contact program staff for more information.
Contact
Mary Shin, cultural planner
Email: mary.shin@vancouver.ca
