2026 Community Action Grant

To our beloved community members,

We are deeply honoured to welcome you into Cycle 5 of our long-standing Community Action Micro-Grant. It feels both grounding and surreal to mark over five years of this work filled with learning and unlearning, missteps and growth, joy and possibility, love and care. Time has moved swiftly, carried by the very spirit that anchors us: a commitment to community, and the generosity, trust, and care you have continuously poured into us. It is because of you that this work not only continues, but evolves.

Our first cycle was born out of urgency during COVID-19, creating accessible pathways for Indigenous and Black youth in BC to access funding. In our second cycle, we deepened that commitment to prioritizing support for community organizers, grassroots activists, student leaders, birthworkers, sex workers, and survivors of gender-based violence, among others. The third cycle focused on sustaining this essential support while expanding beyond urban centres. In Cycle 4, we strengthened intercommunal collaboration and nurtured a deeper sense of solidarity across Black and Indigenous youth communities.

Cycle 5 arrives after a year of listening closely to our alumni and community. Their reflections have guided meaningful shifts bringing us back to the roots of mutual aid, expanding our reach beyond urban landscapes, and reaffirming the values that ground us: dignity, decolonization, youth leadership, accessibility, and intersectionality. As a Black-led organisation,  we remain deeply committed to Indigenous sovereignty, grounded in and guided by the knowledge, wisdom, and lived experiences of Indigenous youth and Elders, whose teachings continue to shape the path forward.

We hope you continue walking alongside us, growing with us, and shaping what comes next for many seasons to come.

With deep gratitude, always.

CYCLE 5 IS CLOSED

REVIEWS IN PROGRESS

    • Open to Indigenous and Black youth residing in what is colonially known as “British Columbia.”

    • People identifying as Black; descendants of the African/Caribbean diaspora; Black-mixed; Afro-Latinx; or Black Indigenous.

    • People identifying as Indigenous to Turtle Island and currently residing in so-called “British Columbia.”

    • Priority will be given to applicants between the ages of 18–30.

    • Applicants who have previously received funding in Cycles 1, 2, 3, and 4 are eligible to apply; however, priority may be given to new applicants.

  • 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).

    • Individual fund award: $3,000 CAD

    • Group fund award: $4,000 CAD

    *Please note: Funds will be awarded at the discretion of the selection committee.
    - A group is defined as two or more members/participants.
    - Registered organizations, nonprofits, and charities are not eligible for this fund.
    - Student clubs led by Indigenous and/or Black youth are welcome to apply.
    - Funds are issued via e-transfer.Further inquiry should be directed to: contact@blackyouthinitiative.ca

  • This fund is intentionally created to center and support Black and Indigenous youth. We ask that applicants honour the spirit and purpose of this grant by ensuring that submissions are grounded in lived experience and genuine connection to the communities this fund is meant to serve.

    We strongly encourage those who do not identify as Black or Indigenous to seek out funding opportunities aligned with their own communities, and to refrain from applying to or positioning themselves within this space. Applications submitted on behalf of Black and/or Indigenous youth without their leadership, consent, and direct involvement will not be considered. We hold a zero-tolerance stance toward the misrepresentation or appropriation of Indigenous and/or Black identities.

  • This fund is intentionally flexible and designed to support community-based projects in all their forms. There are no strict limitations on the type or scope of work whether you are nurturing something small and intimate or building toward something expansive.

    We encourage applicants to think deeply about how this funding can be used to cultivate sustainable healing, growth, and care for yourselves and for your communities. Funds may be used to support both ongoing initiatives and new projects (please specify this in your application).

    As a starting point, we ask applicants to review the Projects Funded page on our website to get a sense of the range and diversity of initiatives we have previously supported.

    If you are unsure about your project scope or would like to explore your ideas further, we warmly invite you to connect with our team prior to submitting your application. Email us at: contact@blackyouthinitiative.ca

  • Accessibility is at the heart of this fund. We do not expect or require formal “grant writing” language please do not feel constrained by it. We invite you to express yourself in ways that feel natural, whether that is conversational, detailed, or reflective.

    We recognize that written applications are not the most accessible format for everyone. Applicants are welcome to respond using audio or video submissions, which can be attached as part of the application.

    Our intention is to meet you where you are, and to create a process that honours the many ways knowledge, experience, and vision can be shared.

  • As part of Cycle 5, and all cycles moving forward we are introducing a light reporting requirement for all grantees. We want to name that our intention is not to take away from the accessibility and low-barrier nature of this grant. Rather, after several years of doing this work, we have heard from many of you about the need for space to document, reflect on, and share the work you’ve been doing.

    With that in mind, the reporting process will remain simple and flexible. Grantees will be asked to submit a short reflection on their project; this can be a 500-word summary, or a 3–5 minute audio or video submission.

    We also welcome creative and alternative formats, including graphic recordings, photo essays, podcasts, visual art, film, dance, or any medium that feels authentic to you. We encourage you to make this process your own, something that feels meaningful, expressive, and even joyful.

    The report can be submitted anytime within up to one year of receiving the grant, allowing for ample time and space to complete your project and reflect on its impact.

    More details on what the report can encompass will be shared directly with selected grantees.

  • Applications open: Monday, April 20th 2026  to Sunday, May 31st 2026

    Info session: Saturday, May 16th 2026 from 11:00am- 12:00pm | Register here

    Deadline to apply: Sunday, June 7th, 2026 | 11:59 PM PST

    Funds awarded: Early August 2026

    Reports due: September 2027