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REFBC Grants Support Real Estate Education and Indigenous-Led Conservation
Ashnola Watershed

Ashnola sməlqmíx Protected and Conserved Area. Photo: REFBC

REFBC Grants Support Real Estate Education and Indigenous-Led Conservation

At their March 2024 meeting, the Real Estate Foundation of BC’s Board of Governors approved 11 grants totalling $994,225.

REFBC grants support law and policy reform, applied research, community engagement, and professional and public education to advance sustainable, equitable, and socially just land use and real estate practices across BC.

In our work, we are committed to upholding and advancing implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). It is important for us to prioritize grants to Indigenous-led organizations and projects that support justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Since 1988, REFBC has awarded more than $100 million to non-profit organizations working to strengthen BC communities and protect our shared land and water. Our grants support projects led by First Nations, charities and societies, non-governmental organizations, universities and colleges, trade associations, and local and regional governments.

The Spring 2024 grants are listed alphabetically by recipient organization below.

Spring 2024 Grants

Ahousaht First Nation (ʕaaḥuusʔatḥ)

Indigenous Foods Gathering

To host the Traditional Foods Gathering, bring together Nuu-chah-nulth and other First Nations on Vancouver Island to discuss food sovereignty and security, and put together an emergency food plan.

$30,000

Association of Interior Realtors

PDP Delivery Support

To provide in-person professional development opportunities for realtors to learn about and discuss topics in equity, diversity, and inclusion.

$35,000

BC Northern Real Estate Board

PDP Delivery Support

To help instructors bring in-person professional development courses to realtors in northern communities.

$10,100

BC Real Estate Association

Empowering Brokerage Resilience: Navigating Dynamic Markets, Regulation, and Advancing Professionalism

To provide opportunities for managing brokers to make connections, share knowledge, and find support while navigating regulatory changes. 

$150,000

Managing Brokers' Conference

BC Real Estate Association

Indigenous Lands, Contracts, and Disclosures Education Project

To develop an online course to introduce realtors to historical and contemporary policies affecting real estate transactions on First Nations lands.

$38,000

BC Real Estate Association

Radon Gas Public Awareness Campaign

To raise awareness of radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas and carcinogen found in soils, among home buyers and sellers, and encourage the use of radon testing and mitigation measures.

$52,500

Gidimt’en Checkpoint (Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition)

Protecting Our Lands, Protecting Our Future

To undertake research and community engagement on the potential creation of an Indigenous protected and conserved area by the Gidimt’en Clan of the Wet’suwet’en.

$150,000

Greater Vancouver Realtors (Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver)

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Campaign: Building on Our Foundation

To produce videos and educational resources for realtors to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the real estate industry.

$102,625

Lower Similkameen Indian Band

sməlqmíx Protected and Conserved Area Implementation: Mining Focus

To advance the nʔaysnúlaʔxʷ snxaʔcnitkʷ (Ashnola River watershed) sməlqmíx Protected and Conserved Area and find ways to address the impacts of mining activity on the land and water.

$300,000

Okanagan Basin Water Board

siwɬkʷ (Water) for All: Co-creating Futures

To showcase collaborative research with the Okanagan Nation Alliance and explore evolving trends in water management at the Environmental Flows Conference in Kelowna.

$40,000

Real Estate Institute of BC

Advancing Excellence Initiative

To put on events, webinars, and field trips for real-estate professionals to network and learn about housing and other issues.

$86,000

Funding Opportunities

General Grants

These grants can fund projects led by non-profit organizations (including First Nations) working on projects relating to land use or real estate in BC.

Intake opens:
Early January 2025

Application deadline:
Late January 2025

Real Estate Industry Grants

These grants can fund projects led by non-profit organizations serving real estate professionals in BC.

Intake opens:
November 2024

Application deadline:
December 2024

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Published on: May 2, 2024

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