Grants Open for Indigenous-led Solutions to Gender-Based Violence

Press Release

August 6, 2025

VICTORIA, B.C. — The BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres (BCAAFC) is accepting applications for grant funding of up to $200,000 to support Indigenous-led initiatives that address gender-based violence. The objective of the Path Forward Community Fund is to strengthen community safety planning and capacity building, ensuring Indigenous communities can lead their own responses to the systemic causes of gender-based violence.

“Ongoing colonial systems and chronic underfunding are among the biggest barriers to healing,” said Annette Morgan, President of BCAAFC. “When Indigenous communities have the resources they need to lead anti-violence work, real change becomes possible.”

In 2022, BCAAFC was selected by the Province to administer the Path Forward Community Fund after Indigenous communities identified safety planning and capacity building for missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ peoples (MMIWG2S+) as a top priority. To date, $15.8 million has been invested in 86 Indigenous-led projects across B.C. Another $5 million has been allocated for the 2025 grant cycle.

The fund is available to a wide range of Indigenous communities and organizations, including First Nations, Bands, Tribal Councils, Treaty First Nations, urban/off-reserve communities, Métis chartered communities and organizations, Inuit citizens, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ communities. Eligible uses for the funds include:

⦁ Building community capacity

⦁ Hosting engagement sessions and facilitation

⦁ Developing crisis response plans

⦁ Creating communication materials

⦁ Sharing information and tools to navigate justice and public safety systems

⦁ Supporting Indigenous people with disabilities who may face gender-based violence

⦁ Providing culturally appropriate safety training

⦁ Offering cultural support and healing

“Indigenous communities know their needs best,” said, Nina Krieger, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “As part of our government’s commitment to addressing the underlying and systemic causes of violence, the Path Forward Community Fund was created to enable Indigenous-led safety planning and capacity building as we work together to build a safer and more equitable province.”

Funding decisions are guided by an adjudication committee of eight diverse Indigenous women with deep roots in community service and advocacy. To ensure accessibility, BCAAFC accepts oral applications, offers feedback on draft applications, and encourages communities to reapply to continue or expand their projects. Multiple applications are also welcome, so long as the projects are different.

Indigenous communities are encouraged to apply by October 3, 2025.

For more information and to apply, visit https://bcaafc.com/path-forward/.

To read the June 2025 Status Update on A Path Forward: Priorities and Early Strategies for B.C., visit https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/law-crime-and-justice/about-bc-justice-system/inquiries/mmiw/mmiwg-status-update-2025.pdf

Contact

Nicole Hall

communications@bcaafc.ca

236-361-9408

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