• First Nations Stewardship Fund

    Application Form

  • Before you begin, please read: 

    • Application Guide
    • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Document
    • Both are located on the First Nations Stewardship Fund Landing Page

    Instructions:

    • All fields are mandatory. Please answer all questions even if your response is “no” or “not applicable”.
    • The funding is up to a maximum of $100,000 CAD.
    • Word count maximums are provided under each section; please adhere.

    Support:

    We are here to help! To request support or if you have any questions, please email: applications@ilinationhood.ca  

  • Section 1: Contact and Organization Information

  • Format: (000) 000-0000.
  • Format: (000) 000-0000.
  • Format: (000) 000-0000.

  • Section 2: Guardian Initiative Information

  • Section 2.1: Guardians Initiative Description

    Please provide a brief description of your current Guardians initiative. (max 250 words)

    Your response should include a general overview of your current Guardians Initiative and address the following:

    • The key activities and responsibilities of the initiative.
    • The number of Guardians currently involved (full-time, part-time, and volunteers).
    • How the Guardians initiative supports Nationhood, self-governance, and the Nation's authority and decision-making over its territory.
    • Current funding sources that support the initiative.
    • Partnerships and collaborations with other organizations, governments, or communities.
    • Key accomplishments, successes, or milestones achieved to date.

  • Section 2.2: Priority Areas

  • Please identify the priority area(s) of your Guardians initiative. (Select all that apply)*

  • Section 2.3: Leadership Support Documentation

  • Applicants must upload a Band Council Resolution (BCR), Tribal Council Resolution (TCR), or Letter of Support (LOS).

    The document must demonstrate leadership’s understanding of the role and value Guardians play in the Nation’s decision-making, governance, and Nationhood, and confirm that the funding will help ensure Guardians remain employed and essential stewardship activities continue within the established program/initiative.

    LOS must be signed by an authorized leader, Chief, Council member or CEO.

    Refer to the Application Guidelines for more information and detailed requirements.

    Please ensure the BCR, TCR, or LOS is saved using your initiative’s name and submit via the portal below. 

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  • Section 3: Objectives and Activities

  • Objectives and Activities (max 250 words)

    For this funding request, provide up to five (5) SMART objectives (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound) that your project will achieve during the funding period.

    Describe up to five (5) key activities that will be completed to achieve these objectives. For each activity, include:

    • What will be done: Briefly describe the activity.
    • Why it is needed: Explain the need or issue the activity will address.
    • How it supports the objective(s): Clearly explain how the activity will contribute to achieving one or more of the project objectives and how progress or success will be measured.
    • Timeline: Provide the activity’s start and end dates.

    Activities may support one or more objectives, and objectives may be supported by multiple activities. Please ensure that the connection between each activity and the objective(s) it supports is clear.

  • Section 4: Budget

  • 4.1 Eligible and Ineligible Expenditures

    4.1.1 Eligible Expenditures

    Eligible expenditures may include:

    • Salaries and wages directly tied to the Guardians initiative, specifically salaries and wages of Guardians and Guardian Coordinators;

    • Operation costs of the project, up to a MAX of 25% of project budget (e.g., travel for Guardian operations, fuel, material and equipment, PPE, uniforms, equipment rental);

    • Capacity Building and Engagement costs, up to a MAX of 25% of project budget (e.g., meetings costs, elder honoraria for this application, Guardian training, knowledge exchange activities with youth and knowledge holders);

    • Overhead costs, up to a MAX of 10% of the project budget (e.g., office equipment, office space, insurance, phone, internet, communications).

    4.1.2 Ineligible Expenditures

    Ineligible expenditures include:

    • Capital asset purchases (individual items of $10,000 or more);

    • Management and professional services, such as cost for auditors, consulting services, legal services, etc.;

    • Contractors, with the exception of training for Guardians which should be identified under the Capacity Building and Engagement category; 

    • Audit Costs/Expenditures for preparing independent financial accounting.

    • Administration Costs.

  • 4.2 Budget Template Instructions

    Please download the First Nations Stewardship Fund Budget Template HERE. 

    Please note: You must DOWNLOAD the view-only form to complete.

    • Save a copy to your computer using your initiative’s name. 
    • Review the Budget Glossary in the second tab before completing the template. 
    • Complete the budget using the eligible expenditure information and funding requirements. 
    • Save the completed budget using your initiative’s name. 
    • Upload the completed budget through the First Nations Stewardship Fund Budget Upload Portal located at the end of this section.

  • 4.3 Requirements and Reminders

    • Review the funding guidelines and the list of eligible and ineligible expenses before preparing your budget. Ensure that all proposed costs comply with the funding guidelines. 
    • Before filling in the budget template, review the Budget Glossary located in the second tab of the downloaded budget template. The glossary provides guidance to help you complete the budget accurately and the level of detail required.
    • Funding is up to a maximum of $100,000 CAD. 
    • Review the maximum percentage limits for each applicable budget category and ensure that proposed costs do not exceed these limits. For salary and wages, the maximum is 100% of the total funding amount. This means that, in theory, the full $100,000 funding amount could be allocated to salary and wages.
    • Ensure that funding is only allocated to eligible project activities and expenses incurred from the date of the Letter of Offer, which is expected to be issued between early and mid-October 2026 and February 29, 2028.
    • Complete all required sections of the budget template. Only completed budget templates will be accepted as part of your application.

     

    4.4 Submit Your Completed Budget

    Once you have completed and reviewed your budget, please ensure the file is saved using your initiative’s name and submit it below. 

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  • 4.4 Funding Diversification

    Please provide the estimated total annual funding for your community/organization Guardians initiative from all sources (public and private). Please do not include the First Nations Stewardship Fund in these estimations. 

     

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  • Estimated Annual Funding by Source

    Please estimate the approximate percentage of your community/organization's total annual funding for Guardian initiatives that is expected from each funding source below. Complete only the funding sources that apply to your community/organization.

  • *
    Rows

  • Note: These figures are intended to be estimates based on your community/organization's anticipated annual funding and approximate in nature.

  • Section 5: Guardians Initiative Highlights

    (Max 250 words)

  • Use this space to highlight what makes your Guardians initiative unique and what your community is most proud of. Share information not already addressed elsewhere in the application, including community priorities, land and water stewardship responsibilities, cultural knowledge and knowledge transfer, youth engagement, partnerships, or other distinctive aspects of your work.

    Describe the specific needs being addressed and how the proposed funding will support Indigenous-led, boots-on-the-ground stewardship activities. You may highlight how the initiative contributes to protecting and strengthening lands, waters, culture, language, youth, community wellbeing, and Nationhood.

    You may also describe any risks, gaps, or potential impacts to community stewardship capacity, monitoring, safety, or continuity of programming if funding is not secured.

    Please share any additional information, achievements, strengths, or community impacts that would help demonstrate the value and uniqueness of your Guardians initiative.

  • Section 6: Consent to Share Proposal

    Please consent or decline.
  • If your proposal is not selected for funding in the initial round, would you like it to remain under consideration in the event that other funds become available? ILI will be conducting direct fundraising to augment this specific pool of funding and may be able to support additional proposals if new funding becomes available.*
  • If additional funding is not available through ILI's fundraising efforts, would you give us permission to share your proposal with other possible funding partners or foundations? We are often asked by funding partners and foundations to identify promising funding opportunities that align with their priorities.*

  • Thank you for your Submission

    Thank you for submitting your application to the 2026 Indigenous Leadership Initiative – First Nations Stewardship Fund.

    Before submitting, please confirm that you have:

    • Answered all required questions in the application form.
    • Uploaded your completed budget.
    • Reviewed your application to ensure that all information is complete and accurate.

    We appreciate the time, knowledge, and care you have put into your application. Thank you for your interest in the First Nations Stewardship Fund and for the leadership and stewardship work you are undertaking in your community and territories.

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