Community Salmon Program Grants

PSF’s Community Salmon Program funds volunteer and community–driven organizations that undertake salmon conservation and restoration projects.

Through biannual grants, the program aims to empower community groups, increase public engagement, and foster partnerships to advance salmon recovery across B.C. and the Yukon.

The Community Salmon Program is also dedicated to advancing salmon recovery through strong partnerships with First Nations and Indigenous communities, in alignment with the principles of UNDRIP.

Application Deadline

Grant intakes occur twice a year in the spring and fall. The fall intake begins in early September, and the application deadline is October 15. The spring intake will open in early January, and the application deadline will be February 15. We are not currently accepting applications.

Apply online

Grant Types

The Community Salmon Program offers two types of grants: Short Form and Standard Form. You can apply for one Short Form grant (up to $2,500) per round, and multiple Standard Form grants (over $2,500). Short Form grants are suitable for single-item purchases and simple projects only.

Funding Details

PSF will pay up to 50% of the total value of each project, and the rest must be matched by other funds and in-kind donations or work. In-kind contributions include non-cash resources: volunteer time, equipment, tools, supplies and services that contribute to the planning, implementation, and monitoring of the project.

For instance, if a streamkeeper association requests a $4,000 grant to buy materials and equipment for a restoration project, and they estimate that volunteer time, in-kind labor, donations, and materials are worth $6,000, the total project value is $10,000. Since the grant request of $4,000 is less than 50% of the total project value ($10,000), it meets the funding criteria.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for funding from the Community Salmon Program, your project should reflect the program’s intended outcomes. These include enhancing or restoring salmon habitat, boosting community involvement, education and awareness, and contributing to the long-term recovery and sustainability of Pacific salmon populations.

PSF reserves the right to determine, in its sole discretion, the eligibility of any project, organization or expense. To qualify, your project must:

Support the conservation, enhancement, and/or restoration of Pacific salmon and their habitat;
Be community-based and take place in B.C. or the Yukon;
Be led by a volunteer group, not-for-profit, school, or Indigenous government both at the time of application and during the grant period;
Include significant volunteer involvement, with some exceptions for Indigenous or remote organizations;
Seek funding for no more than 50% of project costs, leveraging other support like in-kind donations or grants;
Have the necessary permits and letters of support from relevant agencies, Crown and First Nations governments, or landowners; and,
Have letters of support from relevant stewardship organizations or industry groups, even if they are not involved in the project.

If you’re unsure about your project’s eligibility, please contact Rene Martins at rmartins@psf.ca or call 604.664.7664 before applying.

Habitat assessment
Habitat restoration
Stock assessment
Stock enhancement
Education, outreach and training
Community stewardship

Exclusions

The Community Salmon Program typically does not fund the following:

Ongoing expenses or events, fundraisers, operational costs and multi-year projects are not typically considered for funding
Videos, books, newsletters, or related materials that are ongoing or are produced as fundraisers are not considered for funding
Projects intended for scientific research only, and not to support a specific stewardship project, are not typically funded
Wages, labour or mandatory employee costs, with exceptions for qualified First Nations and Indigenous-led projects; however, a portion of funding may be allocated for technical or professional skills essential to a project if these skills are not available from DFO.
Members or persons directly related to a member of the proponent group that will receive financial benefit from the PSF grant must declare this on the application.

Assessment Process

Applications are assessed by a Technical Review Committee and Grants Committee comprising PSF staff, board members, community representatives and independent salmon experts. Fisheries and Oceans Canada may advise on the relevance of an application.

When assessing applications for the Community Salmon Program, several key criteria are considered:

Feasability
The project should be scientifically sound, practical, or recognized as a valuable educational or stewardship activity benefiting salmon and their habitat.
Support
Projects should have technical backing from relevant experts or agencies, like Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Province of B.C., when applicable.
Volunteerism
A strong volunteer component is essential, with active participation from local stewards. Exceptions can be made for Indigenous-led or remote projects.
Project Outreach
The project should ideally involve a wide range of partners, including watershed groups, local businesses, landowners, and other community members, with evidence of in-kind or financial support.
Risk
The applicant must demonstrate the ability to successfully complete the project as planned.
Budget
The project should have a sound budget, with grant requests not exceeding 50% of the total project costs.

Application Checklist

Before submitting your application to the Community Salmon Program, make sure to follow these steps:

Clearly state the benefits to Pacific salmon.
Include all necessary details and volunteer or community hours in the budget.
Describe your ability to complete the project.
Ensure the budget is accurate and specific to the project.
Have the project reviewed or supported by experts.
Include letters of support from watershed supporters, local First Nations, and landowners, if applicable.
Clearly state what steps have been taken to include, consult with, and/or acknowledge the Indigenous groups in the project area.
Attach any other relevant documents like photos, maps, or permits.
Submit the Final Report for any previous CSP projects if required.

Apply online

Support the community salmon program

The Community Salmon Program benefits from the support of generous foundations, corporate organizations, and individual donors.

“This year, the Community Salmon Program received the highest amount of funding requests in the program’s history. Unfortunately, there was a gap in funding availability of roughly half a million dollars. Demand for local stewardship is at an all-time high, and salmon need us now more than ever,” says Michael Meneer, President and CEO, Pacific Salmon Foundation.

If you’d like to support community-led salmon restoration efforts, donate online today or contact Jim Shinkewski, Director of Grants and Community Programs, at jshinkewski@psf.ca.

Community Salmon Program News

Learn more about previous grant cycles and our community partners.