Indigenous Healing and Wellness Grants

• Programs must be serving Vancouver residents and in operation before applying for this grant. 
• Your program must meet any one of these goals: 
  • Increases access to Elder and Knowledge Keeper services and Indigenous traditional, cultural, and spiritual services
  • Improves mixing Elder and Knowledge Keeper services and Indigenous healing and wellness activities into mainstream health services 
  • Supports Elders and Knowledge Keepers in engaging with their work in the community
  • Improves community health and wellbeing outcomes 
• We give priority to programs that demonstrate alignment with our:
  • City of Reconciliation framework
  • Commitment to equity and applied intersectionality goals
  • Accessibility Strategy

Information icon Projects or one-time events are not eligible.

Review the program guidelines PDF file (424 KB) for more information on eligibility.

Information icon If you are unsure about eligibility or are a first-time applicant, email socialpolicygrants@vancouver.ca to speak with a social planner.

• Indigenous and non-Indigenous led organizations may apply.
• If your organization is non-Indigenous, we will be looking for a demonstrated history of meaningful involvement and collaborative partnerships with Indigenous peoples, organizations, and communities.

Funding will be for a 2-year cycle. Programs will occur over 2, 12-month periods.

Information icon You can apply for 1 or 2 years of funding.

• Examples of organizations have used grant funds in the past include:
  •  Hired, employed, and compensated Elders with honoraria or salaries for their support within organizations
  • Created, developed, or supported Elder Councils to implement a variety of activities
  • Funded materials, traditional medicines, and spaces for Elders

1. Review the information sheet PDF file (424 KB). This includes information on:
   • Eligibility
   • Allowable expenses
   • Decision-making considerations, including community reviewers 
   • Application process
   • Reporting requirements
2. Download the budget template Excel file (16 KB)
3. Submit your application through VanApply or contact a planner if you’d like to submit your application in a different way.
   • Find more information on VanApply, including how-to videos
   • Watch a 20-minute video with tips on using VanApply External website, opens in new tab

Information icon If you are unsure if you already have an account registered on VanApply, reach out to a planner to confirm. 

New applicants

If you are a new applicant, email us at socialpolicygrants@vancouver.ca so we can make sure you are eligible and have an opportunity to go through the process and ask questions.

• 2024 Indigenous Healing and Wellness Grant Programs PDF file (751 KB)
• 2023 Indigenous Healing and Wellness Grant Programs PDF file (668 KB)
• 2022 Indigenous Healing and Wellness Grant Programs PDF file (670 KB)
• 2021 Indigenous Healing and Wellness Grant Programs PDF file (768 KB)
• 2020 Indigenous Healing and Wellness Grant Programs PDF file (1.1 MB)