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
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
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