The Urban and Away From Home (UAH) Funding Initiative provides grants of up to $25,000 to support the UAH population in areas of primary care, mental health and wellness, the toxic drug response and/or addressing racism in health and wellness.Funding can be used to support or supplement operations and maintenance funding, capital funding and/or program funding. Consideration will be given to initiatives that have a sustained impact on the UAH population, reach a broad range of First Nations people that live in an urban or away-from-home setting and/or improve the availability, quality and accessibility of health and wellness services for the UAH population.
Eligible recipients
We accept funding applications from BC First Nations communities, First Nations education institutions and health and social organizations that provide services to the UAH population in BC.
Please note that for-profit organizations, Métis Chartered communities and organizations and organizations that are not run by First Nations are ineligible for funding.
The UAH population includes status and non-status First Nations people in BC who live in:
- a city, urban, rural, remote or isolated area that is not in a First Nations community or on a reserve
- a reserve that is away from their home community
Funding spotlights
In 2022-2023, this grant was piloted internally by the FNHA. Regional teams worked with BC First Nations communities, as well as health and social organizations that provide services to the UAH population. Some examples of initiatives that were supported include:
Q'waxsem Place
In partnership with Northern Island Medical Clinic, the UAH Funding Initiative provided primary care supplies and equipment to Q'waxsem Place in Campbell River. Q'waxsem Place provides supportive housing, traditional medicines and methods of healing to over 50 residents to improve the health and wellness for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Q'waxsem Place primary care providers and employees outside the centre.
Hulitan Family and Community Services Society
With support from the UAH Funding Initiative, Hulitan Family and Community Services Society purchased necessary clinical supplies and equipment to better establish a primary care space to connect 250 clients with a primary care provider. This included children, youth and adults from Kwakwaka'wakw, Coast Salish, Nuu-chah-nulth and/or living away from home.
The Hulitan Family and Community Services Society team outside the primary care clinic space
The FNHA's Northern Region Team supported 16 warming centres to increase access to food and supplies in the event of extreme weather events. Approximately 320 clients were supported across the North Central, Northwest and the North East regions throughout the winter of 2023.
Northern Region Team assembling food and winter care packages for organizations to prepare for extreme weather events in the Northern Region.
How to apply
The deadline to submit an application is Friday October 27, 2023. See full funding criteria or submit an application for funding here.
If you have questions or experience any challenges with the online application form, please send an email to uah@fnha.ca. A phone call can be set up if needed. .
Frequently asked questions
1. Who can apply to the UAH Funding Initiative?
Funding applications must be received from:
- a First Nations community/band/village council, or
- BC First Nations run health and social organizations that provide health and wellness services to the UAH population/clients in BC and is a registered society, or
- a BC First Nations school or educational institution
Please note: for-profit organizations and Métis Chartered Communities/organizations, non-BC First Nations not-for-profits organization/societies, and non-BC First Nations educational institutions are ineligible for the UAH Funding Initiative.
2. Can an individual apply for a grant?
No. The funds cannot be distributed to an individual. The FNHA encourages people with an idea or concept to match and connect with a group that meets the criteria described in question one.
3. Can the funds be used to support First Nations community members living outside of BC?
We acknowledge the need to support those who live Urban and Away-From-Home outside of BC, but the funding received from the initiative can only be used for the UAH population residing in BC.
4. When would the funding for this initiative be spent?
Please note that funding must be spent by March 31, 2024 and closing reports are due by April 30, 2024.
5. Can non-Indigenous organizations apply for the UAH Funding Initiative? Or Can Indigenous programs run by non-Indigenous organizations apply for the UAH Funding Initiative?
The intent of the UAH Funding Initiative is to support the health and wellness of First Nations Urban and Away-from-Home population. While we appreciate all non-Indigenous organizations that support our clientele, we are unable to guarantee that the benefit of this initiative would reach the First Nations UAH population through the non-Indigenous organizations that service diverse clientele. Given that there are numerous First Nations/Indigenous organizations that support the UAH population, we will be prioritizing these organizations for this initiative.
6. Can I use the funds for an Elder Honorarium?
Yes. The funds can be used to provide an honorarium to an Elder for their services.
Funds may not be used for the following:
- the purchase of alcohol
- the purchase of concession items
- prize money (grant funds may be used for other forms of prizes, including gift cards)
- illegal purchases
- administrative costs such as the cost of computer equipment
7. Who can I contact for more help or to answer other questions?
Team members are available during regular business hours by email and can set up a phone call if necessary.
If you have any questions, please email UAH@fnha.ca.
