Open Call for Indigenous Climate Action Grant (Canada)

Deadline: 02-Sep-2026

The Indigenous Climate Action Grant supports Indigenous-led climate action projects in Toronto that promote environmental sustainability, knowledge sharing, and benefits for Indigenous communities. The grant prioritizes projects that directly support Toronto’s Urban Indigenous community and strengthen Indigenous participation in local climate action.

Funding is available through two streams. Stream 1 provides up to $10,000 per project, while Stream 2 provides up to $20,000 per project for eligible Indigenous-led collectives and organizations.

What is the Indigenous Climate Action Grant?

The Indigenous Climate Action Grant is a funding opportunity for Indigenous-led climate action projects in Toronto.

The grant supports community-based initiatives that reduce emissions, share knowledge, promote sustainability, and create benefits for Indigenous communities.

It is designed to strengthen Indigenous leadership in climate action and support projects that contribute to a healthier, more equitable city.

Main Purpose of the Grant

The main purpose of the grant is to support Indigenous-led climate action in Toronto.

The grant aims to:

• Support Indigenous-led climate initiatives
• Promote environmental sustainability
• Share Indigenous knowledge and learning
• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
• Strengthen Indigenous participation in climate action
• Benefit Toronto’s Urban Indigenous community
• Support a healthy, thriving, and equitable city
• Prioritize Indigenous grassroots leadership

Geographic Focus

Projects must be based in Toronto.

All applicants must have an M postal code.

Projects must directly support and benefit Toronto’s Urban Indigenous community.

Funding Streams

The grant offers funding through two streams.

Stream 1

Stream 1 provides up to $10,000 per project.

This stream supports:

• Indigenous-led grassroots groups
• Indigenous collectives
• Individuals
• Community projects

Stream 2

Stream 2 provides up to $20,000 per project.

This stream supports:

• Indigenous-led collectives with a bank account in the name of the collective
• Indigenous-led collectives with a trustee
• Non-profit organizations with Indigenous project leads directly responsible for project development and implementation

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include Indigenous-led grassroots groups, collectives, community projects, and organizations.

Eligible applicants may include:

• Indigenous grassroots groups
• Indigenous collectives
• Indigenous community projects
• Indigenous-led non-profit organizations
• Non-Indigenous non-profits with Indigenous project leadership and Indigenous community support

Indigenous Leadership Requirement

For Indigenous grassroots groups, collectives, and community projects, at least 50% of members must identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis.

For Indigenous-led collectives and non-profits, at least 50% of leadership must be Indigenous.

Non-Indigenous non-profits may apply only if:

• They have an Indigenous project lead guiding the work
• The project directly serves Indigenous communities
• An Indigenous council supports the initiative

What Types of Projects Are Supported?

The grant supports Indigenous-led climate action projects that create environmental and community benefits.

Supported projects may include initiatives that:

• Share Indigenous climate knowledge
• Support community learning
• Reduce emissions
• Promote environmental sustainability
• Strengthen local climate action
• Build Indigenous community participation
• Create co-benefits for health, equity, and wellbeing
• Support Toronto’s Urban Indigenous community

Key Focus Areas

The grant focuses on Indigenous climate leadership, sustainability, and community benefit.

Key focus areas include:

• Indigenous-led climate action
• Environmental sustainability
• Knowledge sharing
• Emissions reduction
• Indigenous community benefit
• Urban Indigenous participation
• Climate justice
• Healthy and equitable communities
• Grassroots climate leadership
• Community-based environmental action

Key Concepts Explained

Indigenous-Led Climate Action

Indigenous-led climate action refers to climate projects guided, designed, and implemented by Indigenous people, groups, collectives, or organizations.

Urban Indigenous Community

Urban Indigenous community refers to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people living in urban areas, including Toronto.

Co-Benefits

Co-benefits are additional positive outcomes from a climate project, such as improved health, stronger community ties, better equity, cleaner air, or increased wellbeing.

Grassroots Group

A grassroots group is a community-led group that is often informal, locally organized, and driven by community members.

Trustee

A trustee is an organization or account holder that may help manage grant funds on behalf of a collective that does not have its own bank account.

Project Requirements

Projects must meet the grant’s core requirements.

Projects must:

• Be Indigenous-led
• Be based in Toronto
• Directly benefit Toronto’s Urban Indigenous community
• Support climate action or environmental sustainability
• Not operate on a for-profit basis
• Not begin before funding is awarded
• Be completed by the end of the following year
• Demonstrate Indigenous leadership and community benefit

Ineligible Uses of Funding

Grant funding cannot be used for certain activities or expenses.

Ineligible uses include:

• For-profit activities
• Fundraising events
• Donations to charitable organizations
• Donations to political organizations
• Donations to religious organizations
• Debt repayment
• Projects that begin before funding is awarded

Applicants may receive only one grant per calendar year.

How the Grant Works

Applicants apply under the stream that matches their group structure and funding needs.

Stream 1 supports smaller Indigenous-led grassroots, individual, collective, and community projects.

Stream 2 supports larger projects led by eligible Indigenous-led collectives or organizations with stronger administrative structures.

Funded projects must be completed by the end of the following year.

How to Apply

Applicants should prepare a proposal that clearly explains the project idea, Indigenous leadership, community benefit, climate action focus, and implementation plan.

Suggested Application Steps

1. Confirm that the applicant is based in Toronto with an M postal code.
2. Confirm that the project directly benefits Toronto’s Urban Indigenous community.
3. Choose the correct funding stream.
4. Demonstrate Indigenous leadership in the project.
5. Explain how the project supports climate action or environmental sustainability.
6. Describe how the project will share knowledge or support community learning.
7. Prepare a clear project plan and budget.
8. Ensure the project does not begin before funding is awarded.
9. Confirm that the project can be completed by the end of the following year.
10. Submit the application according to the grant guidelines.

Expected Results

Funded projects should create meaningful climate and community benefits.

Expected results may include:

• Stronger Indigenous participation in climate action
• Increased community knowledge about sustainability
• Reduced emissions
• Improved environmental awareness
• Better support for Urban Indigenous communities
• Stronger grassroots climate leadership
• More equitable climate action in Toronto
• Community benefits related to health, wellbeing, and resilience

Why It Matters

Indigenous communities hold important knowledge, leadership, and experience in caring for land, water, and community wellbeing.

The Indigenous Climate Action Grant supports projects that place Indigenous leadership at the centre of local climate action.

By funding Indigenous-led initiatives in Toronto, the grant helps advance climate justice, environmental sustainability, and community-driven solutions that directly benefit Urban Indigenous communities.

Tips for Strong Applications

A strong application should clearly show Indigenous leadership and direct community benefit.

Applicants should focus on:

• Clear Indigenous leadership
• Strong benefit for Toronto’s Urban Indigenous community
• Practical climate action outcomes
• Clear emissions reduction or sustainability benefits
• Knowledge-sharing activities
• Realistic project timeline
• Clear and reasonable budget
• Community involvement
• Alignment with health, equity, and wellbeing
• Ability to complete the project by the required timeline

Applicants should explain how the project is community-informed and how it will create meaningful local impact.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should carefully check the stream requirements and eligibility rules before applying.

Common mistakes include:

• Applying without being based in Toronto
• Not having an M postal code
• Failing to show direct benefit to Urban Indigenous communities
• Not demonstrating Indigenous leadership
• Selecting the wrong funding stream
• Starting the project before funding is awarded
• Proposing a for-profit activity
• Using funds for fundraising events
• Including debt repayment
• Applying for more than one grant in the same calendar year
• Not explaining how the project supports climate action

FAQ

What is the Indigenous Climate Action Grant?

It is a grant that supports Indigenous-led climate action projects in Toronto that promote sustainability, knowledge sharing, and benefits for Indigenous communities.

Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include Indigenous grassroots groups, collectives, community projects, Indigenous-led non-profits, and certain non-Indigenous non-profits with Indigenous project leadership and Indigenous council support.

How much funding is available?

Stream 1 provides up to $10,000 per project, while Stream 2 provides up to $20,000 per project.

Where must applicants be based?

Applicants must be based in Toronto and have an M postal code.

Who must benefit from the project?

Projects must directly support and benefit Toronto’s Urban Indigenous community.

Can projects be for-profit?

No. Projects must not operate on a for-profit basis.

When must projects be completed?

Projects must be completed by the end of the following year.

Conclusion

The Indigenous Climate Action Grant supports Indigenous-led climate action projects that promote sustainability, knowledge sharing, emissions reduction, and community benefit in Toronto. With funding of up to $10,000 through Stream 1 and up to $20,000 through Stream 2, the grant helps Indigenous grassroots groups, collectives, individuals, and organizations lead meaningful local climate initiatives.

Strong applications will demonstrate Indigenous leadership, direct benefit to Toronto’s Urban Indigenous community, clear climate action outcomes, realistic planning, and alignment with environmental sustainability and equity goals.

For more information, visit City of Toronto.