Vancouver Heritage Foundation has researched and compiled a list of available incentives for heritage buildings and sites in Vancouver to assist you in finding funding support for your heritage project. The programs are organized here by where they apply – municipally, provincially or nationally – and their primary applicability – heritage conservation, sustainability or cultural infrastructure.
For full program details or the latest information and eligibility, please contact the program provider directly.
Grants for Heritage Conservation Activities
Vancouver
Heritage Revitalization Agreement (HRA)
An HRA is a formal agreement between the property owner and the City. Each one involves a negotiation to establish a customized agreement, with the goal to protect the heritage property through designation.
Offered by
City of Vancouver
For
Preservation and conservation work.
Eligibility
Properties on the Vancouver Heritage Register.
Incentive
Varying of land use, density, set-backs and other regulations in exchange for preservation, restoration and protection of the property.
Heritage Incentive Program (HIP)
The HIP is a City of Vancouver grant program available for a four-year period from 2023 – 2026. It provides up to $4.0 million per eligible building.
Offered by
City of Vancouver
For
Preservation and conservation work.
Eligibility
Properties on the Vancouver Heritage Register that are legally protected by a heritage designation bylaw.
Incentive
Funding of $100 per sq. ft. of the total floor area of the building. Grant covers a maximum of 50% of the conservation project costs with an upward limit of $4.0 million. Additional incentives such as by-law relaxations and transferable density may also be available for properties in eligible areas.
British Columbia
Heritage Legacy Fund (HLF)
The HLF was established in 2003 with a $5 million endowment from the Government of British Columbia to support heritage conservation activities.
Offered by
Heritage BC
For
Heritage conservation and heritage awareness projects. There are four subprograms: (1) the Heritage Conservation Program; (2) the Heritage Awareness Program: for an educational program or campaign; (3) the Heritage Planning Program: for producing documents to support conservation work; (4) the Indigenous Partnership Program: for a project that contributes to the reconciliation process.
Eligibility
Non-profit societies, registered charities, local governments and school boards.
Incentive
Matching grant up to 50% of eligible project costs. The funding amounts available per program are: Heritage Conservation Program – funds of up to $25,000; Heritage Awareness Program – funds of up to $10,000; Heritage Planning Program – funds of up to $750; Indigenous Partnership Program – funds of up to $7,500.
Grants for Sustainability Upgrades
Vancouver
Offered by:
Vancouver Foundation
For:
Projects that contribute to Vancouver’s Greenest City Action Plan. This grant could potentially be used to complete a sustainable retrofit of a heritage building.
Eligibility:
Residents of Vancouver.
Incentive:
Up to a $500 grant.
British Columbia
CleanBC Better Homes and Home Renovation Rebate Program – Residential
Also see the Heritage Energy Retrofit Grant which works with the Home Renovation Rebate Program and Municipal Partner Offer for heritage homes in Vancouver.
Offered by:
The Provincial and Federal governments through BC Hydro, FortisBC, and BC Housing.
For:
Energy efficiency upgrades.
Eligibility:
Homeowners who are BC Hydro or FortisBC customers. Rebates are specific to single-family dwellings.
Incentive:
Various rebates towards a percentage of the cost of energy efficiency home upgrades.
Canada
Offered By:
Natural Resources Canada
For:
Energy Efficiency Upgrades.
Eligibility:
Canadian homeowners performing work on their primary residence. Indigenous governments or organizations which own property, or represent the owner.
Incentive:
Up to $5,000 for eligible retrofits, and up to $600 for the cost of energy evaluations.
Grants for Cultural Organizations
Vancouver
Offered by:
City of Vancouver
For:
Planning and completion of purchasing, building or renovating cultural space, including feasibility studies for upgrades and consultations.
Eligibility:
Non-profit societies. Heritage buildings can be eligible if they have a cultural mandate or programming.
Incentive:
Grants up to $250,000 for major capital projects. Up to $50,000 for minor capital projects and planning projects.
Offered by:
City of Vancouver
For:
Permit fees associated with renovating or constructing cultural spaces for non-profits.
Eligibility:
Non-profits in the cultural sector.
Incentive:
Up to $1,500 per applicant. Distributed on a first come first served basis until the yearly amount of $10,000 has been granted.
British Columbia
Offered by:
BC Gaming Commission Lottery Grants
For:
Capital projects with a cost of over $20,000 that benefit the broader community. Includes renovation or maintenance of existing facilities, as well as development of infrastructure and/or acquisition of assets.
Eligibility:
Community non-profit organizations. An organization may only apply for one project per year.
Incentive:
A maximum of $250,000 to cover up to 50% of the project costs.
Offered by:
BC Gaming Commission Lottery Grants
For:
Projects that directly benefit the larger community that are based in: Arts and Culture, Sport, Environment, Public Safety, Human and Social Services, Parent Advisory Councils and District Parent Advisory Councils.
Eligibility:
Community non-profit organizations.
Incentive:
Grants up to $100,000 for organizations that deliver programs locally. Up to $20,000 can be used for minor capital projects that are essential to program delivery (could be used for heritage restoration or maintenance). Funding up to $225,000 per year for groups that deliver regional programs and up to $250,000 per year for groups that deliver provincial wide programs.
Canada
Canada Cultural Spaces Fund
Launched in 2012, the purpose of the program is to improve conditions in cultural spaces within Canada.
Offered by:
Government of Canada
For:
Upgrades and renovations to arts and heritage facilities, purchase of specialized equipment and studies related to capital projects in cultural spaces. This funding is not for restoration, it is specifically for upgrades to arts and museum spaces.
Eligibility:
Non-profit arts and heritage organizations, provincial, territorial, municipal and regional governments, or Aboriginal people’s institutions and organisations.
Incentive:
Funding of up to 50% of eligible project expenses. This includes funding for construction or renovation up to an amount of $15,000,000, purchase or rental of specialized equipment up to $5,000,000, and a feasibility study up to $500,000.
Other grants may be available through the Vancouver Foundation, the BC Real Estate Foundation and VanCity.
Also check the lists of funding opportunities from the National Trust for Canada, the Government of Canada and Heritage BC for updates and new programs.