Other Funding Sources

Accessibility-related Funding Opportunities

There are a number of funding sources that tourism industry stakeholders (businesses, regions, communities, and sectors) may consider when developing and marketing their tourism products.

BC Arts Council

The BC Arts Council serves as the BC government’s primary funding and development agency for the arts, allocating $24 million each year through an independent peer review process. The Council approves almost 1,500 grants annually, to applicants from more than 200 communities throughout the province.

Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant Program

The BC Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant Program provides cost-sharing opportunities for network planning grants and infrastructure grants. Funding from these grant programs support the development of active transportation infrastructure for all ages and abilities. For example, infrastructure grants fund: Multi-use protected travel lanes; Pedestrian and cycling safety improvements; End-of-trip facilities and other amenities; Lighting and way-finding.

Columbia Basin Trust

To help residents and communities take action on issues that are important to them, the trust offers various grants including Community Development Plan, Community Outdoor Revitalization Grants, and Trail Enhancement Grants.

Community Futures British Columbia

Community Futures offers business loans of up to $150,000 to entrepreneurs through 34 offices across the province.

Community Gaming Grants

Community Gaming Grants support the delivery of community organization programs that benefit British Columbians. Non-profit organizations providing programs or services of direct benefit to the broader community are eligible to apply: local organizations, up to $100,000 per year; regional organizations, up to $225,000 per year; and province-wide organizations, up to $250,000 per year.

First Citizen Fund

Business loans are available to Indigenous entrepreneurs in BC, delivered in partnership with four Indigenous Capital Corporations located throughout the province.

Island Coastal Economic Trust

The Island Coastal Economic Trust invests its funds primarily through two grant programs: DIVERSIFY – Capital and Innovation Program and the THRIVE – Small Capital Program. Eligible applicants include local governments, non-profits, and First Nations.

Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada

The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada Product Development Fund supports Indigenous tourism businesses to reach a market-ready state and develop sustainable growth for economic success.

Indigenous Tourism British Columbia

Indigenous Tourism BC offers funding and support for Indigenous individuals, businesses, and communities to develop tourism experiences and products.

Economic Trust of the Southern Interior

The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior provides funding and support for communities to support strategic investments in economic development projects that will have long-lasting and measurable benefits to the Southern Interior region of BC.

Nechako-Kitamaat Development Fund Society

The Nechako-Kitamaat Development Fund Society assists the people of the Nechako region by investing in sustainable economic and community stability projects in the area most affected by the Kemano project and the creation of the Nechako Reservoir.

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.

Resort Municipalities Initiative

The Resort Municipality Initiative is managed by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and is intended to assist small, tourism-based municipalities to increase visitation, resort amenities, private investment, and employment.

Business Development Bank of Canada

The Small Business Loan program provides loans of up to $100,000. The entire process is 100% online and is intended to help smaller firms address short-term financing needs.

Tourism Events Program

The Tourism Events Program (TEP) helps events increase the volume of visitors to British Columbia, and/or increase global recognition for the province by providing supplemental funding for marketing, promotional, advertising and broadcast activities. It supports a wide range of events, including arts, cultural or internationally recognized competitive sporting events.

For more funding options, see the province’s economic development funding and grants tool.