HIV Community Wellness Initiative

​​​​​​​About the HIV Comm​​​unity Welln​ess Initiative

The HIV Community Wellness Initiative supports First Nations communities in addressing HIV prevention, testing, and treatment. For this 2026/2027 funding cycle this program provides one-year grant funding of up to CAD$20,000 for community-led activities, including health promotion, education, capacity-building, and resource development.

FNHA recognizes the historical and systemic barriers to HIV services and is committed to fostering culturally safe, stigma-free, and trauma-informed spaces. BC First Nations communities and organizations are invited to apply for funding under the HIV Community Wellness Initiative. Successful applicants will receive financial support, technical assistance, and resources to implement culturally safe, community-focused health initiatives.

Learn more about the 35 communities funded in 2025

Who can app​​ly?​​

We accept funding applications from land-based First Nations in BC or Indigenous-led not-for-profits serving First Nations communities (urban, rural, or remote). Land-based First Nations must be in the lands now known as BC, and Indigenous-led organizations must be serving First Nations located in BC.

What does the funding​ su​​pport?

  1. Community-Led Health Promotion – Supports initiatives that increase awareness, educate, and reduce stigma around HIV/STIs through school programs, workshops, and media campaigns.
  2. Improving Access to HIV Services – Funds projects that identify and address barriers preventing community members from accessing HIV testing, treatment, and ongoing support.
  3. Wholistic Support – Provides funding for culturally safe counseling, community support groups, and programs that address the emotional, social, and practical needs of those affected by HIV.

How to appl​​​y​​?

Applications for the 2026/2027 funding cycle will open Feb. 2, 2026, and close March 12, 2026.

To apply: Complete the online application survey (link to be provided when the cycle opens).
For support or oral proposal submission, contact: HIVProjects@fnha.ca​

Learn more about the HIV Community Wellness Initiative here.

View scoring criteria here.

Application support​​​​

FNHA offers support for completing funding proposal applications. To schedule a consultation, email HIVProjects@fnha.ca.​​​

  • FAQ

​1. Who can apply for the HIV Community Wellness Initiative funds? BC First Nations and Indigeno​us-led non-profit organizations who provide HIV supports and services to First Nations and Indigenous individuals in BC.

2. Do applicants need to be registered charities or First Nations? Applicants must be BC First Nations or Indigenous-led non-profit organizations with charitable status. Funding Application will include confirmation of Charitable Number and/or Notice of Good Standing.

3. What can the funds be used for? Funds can be used for community programs to support HIV wellness initiatives through education, awareness and prevention activities. We support communities to self-determine best use of funds within their communities. There are some things that the funding cannot be used for; learn more about expenses that are not included.

4. Do I need to use the funds within a certain time frame? The HIV Community Wellness Initiative funds need to be used by February 26, 2027.

5. What is the maximum amount of grant funding that a First Nation or organization can apply for? Applicants can apply for up to CAD $25,000-50,000/ year, maximum 2 years.

6. When is the application deadline? May 1, 2025, applications will open and July 4, 2025, is the application deadline. To ensure equitable access, FNHA accepts both oral and written proposals. Applications will open May 1, 2025, and the deadline to apply is July 4, 2025.​​

R​esources​

  • Provincial Resources

  • Regional Resources

  • National/International Resources

  • Videos

HIV Testing

Awareness and Education

Fraser Salish 

Interior 

Northern 

Vancouver Coastal 

Vancouver Island 

CATIE - Canada's source for HIV and hepatitis C information
CATIE strengthens Canada's response to HIV, hepatitis C and the toxic drug crisis by bridging research and practice. We connect healthcare and community-based service providers with the latest science, and promote good practices for prevention, testing, treatment and substance use health programs. As Canada's official knowledge broker for HIV, hepatitis C, sexual health and harm reduction, you can count on us for up-to-date and accurate information. The CATIE Ordering Centre has posters, brochures and other print materials, and we deliver to organizations across Canada free of charge

Communities Alliances and Networks (CAAN)
CAAN is committed to addressing the issues of HIV within an Indigenous context. CAAN provides a national forum for First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples to holistically address HIV/AIDS, HCV, STBBI, TB, mental health, aging and related co-morbidities.

I AM Initiative
The goal is to raise awareness, so people take action to get tested for HIV. I AM is informed–developed in collaboration with community groups, mentors, leaders, advocates and healthcare professionals–many who live with HIV and are thriving. These are the remarkable people who want to help others find their own path, managing their health and wellness, providing practical ways to help get them there.

INSTI Rapid HIV Test
 What is INSTI®? INSTI® HIV Test is designed as a simple to use HIV test that allows you to get results instantly and accurately. Sample, pour and read your results immediately. It's that easy.

Native Youth Sexual Health Network
The Native Youth Sexual Health Network (NYSHN) is an organization by and for Indigenous youth that works across issues of sexual and reproductive health, rights and justice throughout the United States and Canada.

People First Charter
We launched in July 2021, during the Berlin International AIDS Society Conference, to promote person first HIV & Sexual Health language. Language matters. People living with or at risk of HIV experience stigma & discrimination and the wrong language perpetuates this.   

Public Health Agency of Canada
Health information including food, nutrition, diseases, vaccination, drugs, health products, product safety, health and safety, healthy living, Indigenous health, health system, science.

REACH Nexus
REACH Nexus is an ambitious national research group working on how to address HIV, Hepatitis C and other STBBIs (sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections) in Canada. Our focus is on reaching the undiagnosed, implementing and scaling up new testing options, strengthening connections to care, improving access to options for prevention (PrEP and PEP) and ending HIV stigma. REACH Nexus is part of MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions at St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, and is funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

The Women Centred HIV Care (WCHC) Hub
The Women-Centred HIV Care (WCHC) Hub is a collaborative, virtual network of people living with HIV as well as researchers, healthcare providers, community-based organizations, and other health advocates working to optimize the health of women and gender diverse people living with HIV in Canada. The WCHC Hub aims to create a formalized network that will connect women nationally to improve and expand our ability to respond to the unique needs of women and gender diverse people with HIV and other sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs).​