Deadline: 13-May-22
The Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation is now accepting applications for the Public Conservation Assistance Fund (PCAF) which provides small grants to organizations and individuals who have a conservation project in mind but need financial help to make it happen.
The Province of BC and the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation provide approximately $150,000 each year to help implement on-the-ground conservation work, with a particular focus on hands-on, community-based, and public awareness initiatives.
Preferred PCAF projects are those that:
- Have long-range benefits,
- Involve as many volunteers as possible,
- Offer opportunities for organizational capacity building, and
- Raise community awareness and involvement in conservation
Funding Information & Duration
- In general, applicants may apply for a maximum of $10,000 in any one year.
- Grant Funds may only be used on the approved project.
- To assist as many groups as possible PCAF grants are modest, averaging about $2,500 each.
- The maximum funding for a multi-year project is $20,000 over the lifespan of the project.
- Duration: Once approved, you have up to five (5) years to use the grant money that has been awarded to your project. Upon completion of the project, a final report to HCTF is required. Any unspent funds must also be returned to HCTF.
Eligible Projects
Some examples of PCAF projects and activities that they have funded include:
- Building and installing bird next boxes
- Planting shrubs
- Tagging / monitoring animals
- Restoring riparian areas
- Restoring grasslands
- Building waterfowl nesting floats and boxes
- Fencing to protect sensitive or restored areas
- Improving habitat for freshwater fishes
- Replanting forage species for ungulates to improve winter range
Ineligible Projects
Some types of projects or activities are ineligible for PCAF funding, including but not limited to:
- Lecture series or conventions
- Photographic or film documentaries
- Promotion of business opportunities
- Activities required for ongoing maintenance
- Payment of wages (except for contracted equipment or special expertise required in the field, e.g., a biologist, restoration specialist, etc.).
- Vehicle mileage (Note that fuel costs can be covered)
- Salmon-only or marine projects that do not demonstrate clear benefits to freshwater species or their habitats
- Administrative costs (ex. rent, utilities, etc.)
- Hatchery activities
- Design costs for newsletters and websites (printing costs for newsletters are eligible)
- Routine courses such as First Aid, Small Vessel Operation, etc.
Eligibility Criteria
PCAF proposals must align with HCTF’s trust purposes as described in the Wildlife Act. PCAF projects must focus on activities that maintain, conserve, or restore native (indigenous) fish and wildlife species and their habitats. Projects that have long-range benefits, involve many volunteers, offer opportunities for organizational capacity building, raise community awareness and that are involved in conservation are preferred.
For more information, visit https://hctf.ca/grants/pcaf-grants/