Autumn Colors Along The Riverside

Philanthropy

About

The Sitka Foundation seeks to catalyze efforts in the conservation of nature and the protection of biodiversity with a current focus on diverse ecosystems  of British Columbia. We seek opportunities where our support can pave the way for proven or promising pathways to protection, and where we can help apply creative solutions to the biodiversity crisis. We hope that together with our partners we can accelerate change so nature can flourish.

At present, we are a grant-making foundation, not an operating foundation. We practice philanthropy in a way that drives trust, diversifies power, and engages leaders, decision makers, and communities to act in ways that benefit biodiversity. In the past fifteen years we have invested over $70M to more than 225 distinct groups in amounts ranging from $2,000 to $5,000,000 per grant. As a charitable foundation we can only fund qualified donees as outlined by the Canada Revenue Agency’s charitable rules and regulations (see CRA guidelines for more information). While the CRA’s rules have recently changed we are currently interpreting the guidance to ensure compliance and flow of funding to community needs that address the biodiversity crisis, our charitable focus.

We believe that our grant recipients and partners in philanthropy as well as those investing capital for nature-first initiatives are an inspiration for other people and groups interested in taking direct and immediate action to tackle current issues affecting nature and the environment. We are living in a biodiversity and climate crisis that requires rapid scaling up of money, energy, and creative thinking. More funding, more effort and more voices need to take action to reverse the damage being done to nature, to make it more livable, sustainable and just for all life on earth.

Biodiversity in B.C. granting strategy 2021-2026

Our three strategic granting programs will guide our grantmaking from 2021-2026.

1

Place

We care about ecosystems. We offer support for enduring place-based protection in terrestrial and marine ecosystems throughout British Columbia. We care deeply about biodiversity rich, endangered, and otherwise important or at-risk places. We do this in partnership with engaged and supportive communities, and acknowledge the deep and essential partnership of Indigenous people. 

2

Pathways

We believe in systems change. We give support for the development and strengthening of the tools that build a better understanding of collected knowledge, which when shared with decision makers will encourage more resilient pathways to biodiversity protection. We see these as tools and systems essential to achieving strategic programs one and three.

3

People

We believe in people. We strategically and generously resource changemakers, communities, and leaders to help amplify their work to combat the biodiversity and climate crises. We also seek to connect and convene these messengers of biodiversity.

Sitka Strategic Framework 2021 2026

Partners

While small, our team prides ourselves on listening to our partners who themselves are dialed into their communities and are operating with creativity, responsiveness, and consent. We believe in relational, trust-based philanthropy, and investments to communities that drive returns benefitting place, people, and systems change. Our grantmaking is diverse. It can look like multi-year general operating grants or quick and responsive and nimble grantmaking. It also can look like light touch grantmaking by getting out of the way; and we also offer our social capital by getting deeply involved with place and partners over many years. We find ourselves ebbing and flowing like tides with our grant partnerships. Some examples of our partnerships include:

FAQs

  • How do I apply for a grant?

    The Sitka Foundation only grants to qualified donees. Currently, applying to Sitka Foundation’s granting program is by invitation only. Email info@sitkafoundation.org to learn more. The application process involves a letter of interest and a full application submitted through an online portal; however, we encourage you to re-use applications that you may have created for other funders. You will also connect with a member of the Sitka Foundation team who will support you in the application process. The full time turnaround for this may be a few months.

  • How often do you fund grant requests?

    The Sitka Foundation reviews all complete and qualified applications on an ongoing basis with approximately four grant review meetings taking place per year. Due to calendar fluctuations a specific date cannot be provided to applicants and we have no deadlines. We will provide more information during our relationship building calls and meetings. The Sitka Foundation does not have a large staff and appreciates your patience and understanding around our process.

  • How much grant funding is available?

    We work with each group individually. Please discuss these topics during your initial conversation with the Sitka Foundation. Multi-year grants are funded at the invitation of the Sitka Foundation typically after the start of a relationship: these look like two to five year recurrent grants.

  • Do you offer multi-year grants?

    Yes. We try to work towards multi-year relationships with our grant recipients. We often offer multi year general operating grants. Similarly we cannot guarantee programmatic support for an ongoing duration of time due to the nature of philanthropy and our catalytic focus. 

  • What do you not fund?

    Requests that we cannot fund may include:

    • general fundraising campaigns
    • endowment funding
    • funding of scholarships or fellowships
    • partisan activities
    • emergency needs or for a deficit
    • purposes other than those listed under the Sitka Foundation’s mandate
    • individuals

    We encourage you to review our strategic framework under Our Approach / Our Philanthropy section to learn more about our three grant programs for 2021-2026.

  • Can grant requests include operating costs?

    Yes! We encourage all grant applicants to submit requests that are inclusive of their organization’s needs (i.e. inclusive of administrative or operating costs) and to discuss with the Sitka Foundation staff openly what these needs are.

  • Can I apply for funding twice in one year?

    No. We generally fund one request per calendar year to allow for an abundance of grant relationships.

  • Am I a qualified donee? If not, how can I apply to the Sitka Foundation for funding?

    Generally, a qualified donee will have a registered charitable number and most are accordingly called charities under Canada’s Income Tax Act. However there are additional entities that are qualified donees. Please refer to the Canada Revenue Agency website to learn more. If you are not, you will need a charitable partner or fiscal sponsor who is able to carry on charitable activities, in support of its purposes, through an intermediary (this could be you/your organization).  More information about this type of relationship can be found here  in guidance from the Canada Revenue Agency. Please connect with us if you are unsure. 

  • How do you decide on successful grants?

    We use a variety of tools and resources to work towards alignment of values and goals between the Sitka Foundation and a grant applicant. While most decisions are made at a board level we also pass on decision making power through pooled funds and participatory grantmaking protocols. In this way we feel we are able to have those on the frontlines make decisions that are best for their communities. See our strategic philanthropy section to learn more about current priorities.

  • What is your commitment to decolonization?

    As a grant-making foundation, we have a responsibility to ensure we are supporting Indigenous sovereignty, stewardship, resilience and resurgence in the fight to protect nature, where welcome. We recognize that this is an ongoing process that requires engaged listening, learning, and accountability.

    The Sitka Foundation is a signatory to the Circle on Philanthropy’s Declaration of Action (Declaration of Action) which is a sector wide application of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action (Calls to Action). We affirm the United Nations’ Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

  • What kind of communication and relationship can I expect from the Sitka Foundation after a grant is approved?

    Sitka Foundation staff will confirm your organization’s contact details and banking information. A grant letter outlining the payment details and reporting expectations will be sent to the lead contact of your organization the same day that we send the grant payment via EFT (electronic funds transfer). Sitka Foundation does not require an official tax receipt as we are a CRA registered charity but we do require a confirmation of receipt of funds so we know that they’ve landed in the right place. Informal progress updates or questions are always welcome! Other annual reporting details will be available on Sitka’s online platform and we will be able to talk and walk you through that when the time comes.

    The relationship that we will share is important to Sitka, and we try to respond in a helpful but not burdensome way. We celebrate working together to build a relationship “beyond the money” to work to amplify the values and goals that brought us together. We welcome invitations for meetings, updates, site visits, celebrations, and the use of our logo, so please reach out to Ross or Carolynn to discuss this further. We are a small team; however, so are sometimes spread thin. Thank you for understanding.

Recent Grants History

2024

$0 – $25,000

  • Watersheds BC, a project of MakeWay Foundation

  • Young Naturalist Club of British Columbia Society (Nature Kids)

  • Qqs (Eyes) Project Society

  • Stqeeye’ Learning Society

  • The Sustainability Institute of Canada

  • The Starfish Environmental Society

  • Salt Spring Institute for Sustainability Education and Action (I-SEA)

  • Marine Life Sanctuaries Society of British Columbia

  • Forward Global Philanthropy

  • American Friends of Canadian Conservation, a project of Land Trust Alliance of British Columbia

  • Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition, a project of Institute for New Economics Public Interest Research Association Inc.

  • Awi’nakola Foundation

  • MakeWay Foundation

  • Right Relations Collaborative, a project of Vancity Community Foundation

  • Nature United

  • Howe Sound/Atl’kat7sem Marine Stewardship Initiative, a project of MakeWay Charitable Society

  • Coast Conservation Endowment Fund Foundation

  • Thompson-Nicola Conservation Collaborative, a project of Kamloops Naturalist Club

  • Bowen Island Conservancy

  • Future Ecologies Media, a project of Salt Spring Institute for Sustainability Education and Action (I-SEA)

  • World Rivers Day, a project of Hope Mountain Centre for Outdoor Learning Society

  • Mayne Island Conservancy Society

  • Environment Funders Canada

  • Pacific Salmon Foundation

  • Ecojustice Canada Society

  • The Circle on Philanthropy

  • Green Budget Coalition, a project of Nature Canada

  • Kootenay Connect, a project of Columbia Wetlands Stewardship Partners

  • Simon Fraser University, Biological Science

  • BC Watersheds Collaborative, a project of MakeWay Foundation

  • Squamish River Watershed Society

  • Cedar Coast Field Station Society

  • Swiilawiid Sustainability Society, a project of Haida Gwaii Museum Society

$25,000 – $50,000

  • Squamish Environmental Conservation Society

  • IISAAK OLAM Foundation, a project of Canadian Indigenous Conservation Innovation Centre Association

  • Wilp Gwininitxw at Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition, a project of Institute for New Economics Public Interest Research Association INC.

  • Neighbours United, a project of West Kootenay Environmental Centre Society (Sustainable Kootenays)

  • Conservation North, a project of Save-The-Cedar League

  • Our Living Waters, a project of MakeWay Charitable Society

  • Salmon Coast Society

  • Okanagan Similkameen Stewardship Society

  • West-Kootenay Watershed-Collaborative, a project of Wildsight

  • EcoAnalytics Research Initiative, a project of MakeWay Charitable Society

  • Gitxsan Laxyip Management Office, a project of SkeenaWild Conservation Trust

  • Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance, a project of Raincoast Conservation Foundation

$50,000 – $100,000

  • Wilps ‘Wii K’aax, a project of Institute for New Economics Public Interest Research Association INC.

  • Ecotrust Canada

  • Coastal Restoration Society, a project of Clayoquot Biosphere Trust Society

  • Salmon Parks Stewardship Society, a project of Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation

  • Resilient Indigenous Leaders Network (RILN), a project of MakeWay Charitable Society

  • Indigenous Management Board, a project of Lyackson First Nation

  • Hummingbird Collective, a project of Centre for Earth and Spirit Society

  • Nexwagwez?an – Dasiqox Tribal Park Initiative, a project of MakeWay Charitable Society

  • BC Spaces for Nature

  • Kwiakah First Nation

  • Living Lakes Canada Society

  • SkeenaWild Conservation Trust

  • Northern Confluence, a project of MakeWay Charitable Society

  • Wildsight

  • Natural Assets Initiative (NAI), a project of Greenbelt Foundation

  • Georgia Strait Alliance

  • CodeBlue BC (BC Freshwater Initiative), a project of MakeWay Charitable Society

  • Howe Sound/Atl’kat7sem Marine Stewardship Initiative, a project of MakeWay Charitable Society

  • W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council, a project of Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS)

  • Birds Canada

  • Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, a project of University of British Columbia

  • Environmental Law Centre (UVIC), a project of University of Victoria

  • Salmon Watersheds Lab, a project of Simon Fraser University

  • Oceans Collaborative, a project of Environment Funders Canada

  • Wild First, a project of Canadian Coastal Research Society

  • Sierra Club of British Columbia Foundation

  • West Coast Environmental Law Research Foundation

$100,000 – $250,000

  • The Nature Trust of British Columbia

  • Taku River Tlingit First Nation

  • The Narwhal News Society

  • Watershed Watch Salmon Society

  • West Coast Environmental Law Research Foundation

  • The Dena Kayeh Institute

  • Federation of British Columbia Naturalists (BC Nature)

  • Stein – Nahatlatch IPCA Working Group, a project of MakeWay Charitable Society

  • Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS)

  • Ecojustice Canada Society

  • Nature Canada

  • Right Relations Collaborative, a project of Vancity Community Foundation

  • POLIS Project on Ecological Governance, a project of University of Victoria

  • Raincoast Conservation Foundation

  • BC Water Legacy, a project of MakeWay Charitable Society

  • Aga Khan Foundation Canada

  • Comox Valley Land Trust

  • WCS Wildlife Conservation Society Canada

  • Nature United

  • The Nature Conservancy of Canada

  • Gitanyow Huwilp Society

  • Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative Foundation

> $250,000

  • Oceans North Conservation Society

  • Nature United

  • Coast Conservation Endowment Fund Foundation

  • The Nature Conservancy of Canada

  • Clean Energy Canada at SFU Centre for Dialogue, a project of Simon Fraser University

  • The David Suzuki Foundation

  • Panthera Canada