Wilp Wii Litsxw Meziadin Indigenous Protected Area, Gitanyow Lax’yip. Photo: Ryan Dickie
REFBC Grants
Our grants support projects that strengthen communities and protect our shared land and water.
Overview
The Real Estate Foundation of BC makes grants to support projects that advance sustainability, equity, and social justice in relation to land use and real estate practices in BC.
REFBC grants can support:
- Law and policy reform
- Applied research
- Community engagement
- Professional education
- Public education
We prioritize grants to Indigenous-led organizations. We are particularly interested in projects that support Indigenous rights and interests in land use and real estate. We are also interested in projects that advance justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion for racialized and other communities systematically excluded from land use decision-making.
Our grants budget fluctuates from year to year, based on the income we receive from interest earned on pooled real estate deposits. In the past five years, we’ve granted an average of $6.3 million per year. Last year, 65% of our grant funding went to Indigenous-led organizations.
Our Priorities
REFBC grants support work in five areas. Projects may span more than one priority.
Land Use
Fresh Water
Built Environments
Food Sovereignty
Real Estate Profession
Funding Opportunities
We have two funding streams that open for applications once a year.
General Grants
These grants can fund projects led by First Nations, non-profits, and other organizations working on projects relating to land use or real estate in BC. Our intake opens on January 6, 2025.
Application Deadline:
January 28, 2025
Real Estate Industry Grants
These grants can fund projects led by non-profit organizations serving real estate professionals in BC. Our 2024 intake is now closed.
Next Intake:
Fall 2025
Questions & Answers
Who can apply?
General Grants
These grants can fund projects led by First Nations, non-profits, and other organizations working on projects relating to land use or real estate in BC.
Organizations eligible to apply for funding:
- First Nations
- Charities and societies
- Non-governmental organizations (
NGOs ) - Universities and colleges
- Trade associations
- Local and regional governments
- Community contribution companies (
C3s )
We prioritize applications from Indigenous-led organizations. For a definition of what constitutes an Indigenous-led organization, please consult the I4DM, published by The Circle on Philanthropy. (Read more about the I4DM in The Philanthropist Journal). Last year, 65% of our grant funding went to Indigenous-led organizations.
We do not accept applications from individuals or for-profit companies.
Note: Organizations and projects come in many shapes and sizes. If you think REFBC’s mission and your work might be a good fit but you’re not quite sure how, please contact our staff for a conversation.
Real Estate Industry Grants
These grants can fund projects led by non-profit organizations serving real estate professionals in BC.
Organizations eligible to apply for funding:
- Regional real estate boards
- BC Real Estate Association
- Real Estate Institute of BC
What are REFBC’s funding priorities?
REFBC prioritizes projects that support our vision of sustainable, equitable, and socially just land use and real estate practices in BC. Please review our Guide to Funding Priorities for full details.
We have five priorities:
- Land Use
- Fresh Water
- Built Environments
- Food Sovereignty
- Real Estate Profession
More and more, REFBC-funded projects are upholding or advancing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). (For insight on our commitment to align REFBC’s grantmaking with UNDRIP, see our plan, Transformative Actions for UNDRIP Advancement.)
REFBC is particularly interested in projects that support Indigenous rights and interests in land use and real estate. We are also interested in projects that advance justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion for racialized and other communities historically and systematically excluded from land use and real estate decision-making.
Preference is given to projects that are Indigenous-led, are led by the impacted community, and/or involve active and remunerated partnership by the impacted community in co-creating solutions.
Which activities or costs does REFBC typically fund?
REFBC grants can support the following activities:
- Law and policy reform
- Applied research
- Community engagement
- Professional education
- Public education
Grants can be used to cover project-related costs, including:
- Staffing and program delivery
- Project coordination
- Communications
- Consultant fees
- Workshops and training
- Travel, convening, and meeting expenses
- Ceremony and cultural protocols
- Honoraria
- Building cultural competency
Which activities or costs does REFBC not fund?
Even if a project meets our eligibility criteria, there are a few activities and costs that we don’t fund, including:
- Capital costs, such as land or buildings
- Activities that primarily provide financial benefits for individuals
- Partisan political activities
- Debt retirement, endowments, reserves, mortgage paydowns, or retroactive funding
What type of research and education does REFBC fund?
REFBC supports applied research and education. By applied, we mean research and education that answers specific community-driven questions, addresses a community-identified problem or gap, and includes community-level implementation.
Ultimately, we are interested in research that helps us understand issues or problems and will help contribute to practical solutions that will be applied on the ground. Universities and colleges should note our grants are not intended to support pure or theoretical research that is exploratory in nature.
Does REFBC provide funding for administration costs (“overhead”) or organizational development?
REFBC’s grants program is intended to support time-bound projects or initiatives with specific objectives, activities, and deliverables identified.
However, we recognize that any project or initiative is supported by an organization’s overall operations, and we will fund a portion of those costs as a percentage of the total costs. For example, applicants may choose to include “admin costs” as an expense item on their budget form and may allocate up to 15% of total expenses.
How much money does REFBC typically grant?
REFBC awards grants for a wide range of projects. There is no “typical” grant and the amount of funding given will vary depending on the type of work, the project location(s), and the number of partners and funders involved.
- For small, grassroots projects, grants tend to range from $5,000 to $50,000.
- For larger or province-wide projects, grants tend to range from $50,000 to over $100,000.
- For complex, multi-year programs and initiatives, grants tend to range from $100,000 to $300,000.
To see how much REFBC has granted for similar projects, visit Grantee Projects.
Can we apply for a grant when our other sources of funding haven’t been confirmed yet?
Yes. Having other sources of funding confirmed will strengthen your application. However, we recognize that other foundations and funders have different grant cycles, so confirmed funding isn’t required to apply.
Can we apply for a new grant when we already have an REFBC-funded project underway?
If this is your organization’s first grant from REFBC, your final project report should be reviewed by our grants team before your organization can apply for a new grant. If you have satisfactorily completed projects with REFBC funding in the past, it may be possible to apply for a new grant while a current grant is underway.
Please contact our grants team for advice. Note that, in years with a reduced funding budget, REFBC has prioritized those projects that do not have an active grant with REFBC.
Does REFBC provide funding for…
Economic development projects?
While some projects may have economic development components, our primary funding focus is on addressing land use related issues or concerns through research, policy analysis, or education. Aiming to increase the revenue-generating capacity of individuals, organizations, or sectors is not within the scope of REFBC’s grants program.
Affordable housing projects?
REFBC grants do not provide capital funding for housing projects. We will fund research, policy reform, or education related to piloting or testing innovative, scalable models of funding; tenure options; or new zero-carbon techniques.
Community gardens and urban agriculture projects?
While community gardens and urban agriculture projects are important work, REFBC does not generally provide funding to these types of projects.
REFBC provides no capital funding and, with only a limited amount of funding available every year, our interest in food sovereignty is focused on addressing issues of land access and planning which could be relevant to multiple sites. See our Guide to Funding Priorities for more information about what we’re most likely to fund.
Events?
Yes and no. REFBC grants can be used to cover event costs if the event is part of a larger grant-funded project (for example, an event to share findings after a research project or a series of events for public education).
REFBC rarely provides grants for stand-alone events. However, we sometimes sponsor events that reach audiences of interest to us.
We prioritize sponsorship inquiries from Indigenous-led organizations and First Nations. We are also more likely to sponsor events by organizations without an active REFBC grant.
To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, contact Communications Manager Stephen Hui.
How does REFBC’s grants program work?
REFBC follows a formal grant process:
1. Organizations submit grant applications through a two-stage online application process.
2. REFBC’s grants team reviews all eligible Stage 1 applications and assesses each application on its project strengths, fit within our Funding Priorities Framework, and alignment with our Project Assessment Criteria. (See our Guide to Funding Priorities.)
3. Shortlisted applicants are invited to submit a Stage 2 application along with two letters of support. Those not shortlisted are notified that their project was not selected for Stage 2.
4. Stage 2 applications undergo a thorough staff assessment. Recommendations on grants up to $50,000 are presented to the CEO for approval. Recommendations on grants over $50,000 are presented to the Board of Governors for approval at an upcoming quarterly meeting. The grants team or Board may request conditions on a grant agreement.
How long does the process take?
The time between the initial grant application deadline and a decision is about three to six months. Stage 2 applicants are notified of the funding decision the week following the relevant Board meeting.
What criteria does REFBC use to assess applications?
Strong applications have clear, actionable objectives and deliverables that address real problems related to land use or real estate. We place high value on projects that build long-term capacity within communities, professions, and organizations.
Our grants team uses five assessment criteria to help us make funding decisions and prioritize diverse projects. When completing a grant application, you’ll be asked how your project incorporates these qualities:
Need. What is the significance of the issue or gap being addressed?
UNDRIP. Does the project uphold or advance the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)?
Relationship-Building. Are the people who need to be at the table, at the table?
Leadership and Innovation. Does the project strengthen leadership in a field, support emerging leaders, and/or take an innovative approach?
Legacy. Can the outcomes be sustained? Will they have an ongoing legacy?
To see the full Project Assessment Criteria, view our Guide to Funding Priorities.
What are the chances of receiving funding?
REFBC’s grants program is competitive. Each year, we receive more applications than we have the budget to fund. Recently, we have seen a 5 to 1 ratio of requested funding to available funding, and approximately 25% of eligible applications have been approved.
To ensure your project is a good fit for an REFBC grant, review our Guide to Funding Priorities for details on our priority goals and the assessment criteria we use to make funding decisions.
The strongest projects will demonstrate a clear connection to REFBC’s interest in advancing sustainable, equitable, and socially just land use practices; be led by, or involve active partnership with, Indigenous communities and/or communities historically excluded from land use decision-making; and take steps to uphold the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
Why wasn’t my application approved?
There are many reasons why a grant application might not be successful. When declining a funding request, REFBC staff members will make a reasonable effort to provide feedback and suggest improvements that might strengthen future applications.
Even when an application appears to have met the full criteria of our grants program, it might not be approved. Other factors, such as the amount of money available and the relative strengths of competing applications, as well as our strategic goal to redirect resources to communities traditionally facing higher barriers, all affect the decision-making process.
Can I appeal a funding decision?
There is no process to appeal a funding decision. We are happy to discuss feedback and rationale for decisions, and applicants can reapply.
When can I apply?
Check the Funding Opportunities section above — and sign up for deadline alerts. Grant applications must be received by 5 p.m. PT on deadline day to be eligible for consideration in a given funding cycle.
How do I apply?
When an intake is open, click the Start My Application button in the Funding Opportunities section above. You’ll be asked to complete an online form.
We encourage prospective applicants to download a Word version of the application form to preview the questionnaire. You may use this template to draft responses prior to copying and pasting them into our online form. All applications must be submitted through the online form before the application deadline. Application templates are updated and revised prior to each intake. (Look for updated General Grants application templates in January.)
A detailed project budget is not required at this stage — the form contains a narrative question asking for an overview of proposed allocations and other funding sources. Shortlisted applications will be invited to provide additional details in Stage 2 of the application process.
Any tips for applying?
Every year, we receive more applications than we have the budget to fund.
Applying for a grant takes time. An understanding of our goals and interests can help applicants decide whether they have a good chance of receiving a grant.
Before you apply, please review:
1. Basic Eligibility. The lead applicant must be one of the following: a First Nation, nonprofit organization (registered charity or incorporated society), non-governmental organization (NGO), university or college, trade association, local or regional government, or community contribution company (C3).
2. Mandate Fit. To align with REFBC’s mandate, projects should include law or policy reform, applied research, community engagement, and/or professional or public education (in BC). Universities and colleges should note that, by applied, we mean research that answers specific community-driven questions, addresses a community-identified problem or gap, and includes community-level implementation.
3. Funding Priorities. In our Funding Priorities Framework, we describe our goals and desired impacts. See our Guide to Funding Priorities.
4. Assessment Criteria. We use our Project Assessment Criteria to make decisions about project funding. Take time to review the criteria and address as many criteria as possible in your application. See our Guide to Funding Priorities.
5. Granting History. Our Grantee Projects directory includes short descriptions of grants we’ve given from 2009 onwards.
Interested in Applying?
We encourage you to attend a webinar with REFBC staff before preparing your application.
