2025 Community Action Grant

To our dear community members,

The Black Youth Initiative (BYI) is thrilled to announce the 2025 cycle of the Indigenous and Black Youth Community Action Grant!! After a year long break of learning, strategizing, rest and regrouping, we are stoked to bring forward our fourth cycle of funding. Our hope is to continue applying the learnings and teachings we have gained to further uplift our communities.
 
In the first cycle, our intention was to create accessible ways for Indigenous and Black community-minded youth in BC to get funded during COVID-19 lockdowns. Our second cycle continued to intentionally support Indigenous and Black youth especially focusing on community organizers, grassroots activists, student organizers, birthworkers, sexworkers, victims of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), among others. Our third cycle was focused on the continuity of this much needed support as well as expanding our reach beyond the urban landscape. 

Cycle 4 builds on the momentum of the precious learning and efforts we have seen and heard from Indigenous and Black youth. Through this cycle we want to encourage intercommunal collaboration, deepen a sense of solidarity and reach youth who are still on the margins of funding spaces.

As always, we hope to go against long and tedious application processes with the intention of making this fund accessible for folks. While our application requirements are as low barrier as possible, our team is happy to wholeheartedly accept feedback on how we can make this process more accessible moving forward. Please get in touch at contact@blackyouthinitiative.ca with any questions or feedback.

Applications to the 2025 Community Action Grant are now open.

 

DETAILS

DETAILS

    • Open to Indigenous and Black youth residing in what’s colonially known as "British Columbia." 

    • People identifying as Black; a descendent of the African/Caribbean Black diaspora; Black-mixed; Afro-LatinX; or Black Indigenous person.

    • People identifying as Indigenous to Turtle Island, currently residing in so-called "British Columbia".

    • Priority will be given to folks between 18-30 years old.

    • Applicants who have previously received funding in Cycles 1, 2, or 3 are not eligible to apply.


    Individual fund award: $1000 cad

    Group fund award: $2000 cad

    *Please note: Funds will be awarded as per the discretion of the selection committee.

    *Group means 2 or more members/ participants.

    *Registered organizations, non-profits/ charities are not eligible for this fund.

    *Student Clubs lead by Indigenous and or Black Youth are welcome to apply.

    *Funds are issued via e-transfer.

  • This fund is flexible to folks who intend to pursue projects that are community based. No limitation will be placed on the type or scope of the project. Please do not hesitate to reach out and discuss your project scope with our team before submitting your application. BYI encourages folks to imagine how they can leverage this funding to create sustainable healing and growth opportunities for themselves and their communities. Funds can be used to support ongoing projects or new projects being undertaken ( please specify in the application).

    Further inquiry should be directed to: contact@blackyouthinitiative.ca

  • We prioritize accessibility, please do not feel held back by "grant writing” language. Feel free to write as colloquially, detailed and coherently as possible. For folks who prefer to answer the form in audio or video form you have the option to attach audio and video to your application.

    • Describe your intended project to us:

    *Word count: 300-500 words or Audio/Video: Max 5 minutes

    Here are some of the things to touch on:

    • Name of project - if subject to change or temporary you may let us know on the application

    • Individual project or group project - how many group members will you have, a bit about other group members i.e. names, pronouns, roles, etc

    • Is this a newly conceptualized project or an ongoing one?

    • What the project aims to do/ achieve for you or your community or yourself

    • What are you most looking forward to in your project?

    • Anything else we should know about you or your group?

    • How do you envision Indigenous and Black solidarity on Turtle island and what role do you see yourself playing in it?  (must provide an answer for this and be as specific as you can with examples from your life or work if possible).

    • What type of futures do you imagine for the communities you’re part of?

  • Applications open: April 22nd at 10:00am PST

    Info session: May 10th at 10:00am PST

    Deadline to apply: May 25th at 11:59pm

    Funds awarded: Mid-late August

    Please register to attend the info session on Eventbrite

  • Deadline to apply for the grant is May 25th 2025 at 11:59pm PST

    An info session will be hosted to answer any questions applicants may have regarding this grant cycle on Saturday May 10th at 10am PST. Please register to attend here.

    We hope to go against tedious and long application processes, making this fund accessible for folks. While our application requirements are as low barrier as possible our team is happy to wholeheartedly accept feedback on how we can make this process more accessible for folks moving forward, please get in touch at contact@blackyouthinitiative.ca