Funding projects that help conserve birds

Birds Canada provides one-year grants for projects that increase the understanding, appreciation, and conservation of birds in Canada. The Birds Canada Community Grant is funded with revenue generated by participants of the Birds Canada Birdathon.

The Birds Canada Community Grant is built on the legacy of the James L. Baillie Memorial Fund for Bird Research and Preservation (i.e., Baillie Fund), which was established in 1976 to honour the significant contributions of James Baillie to the field of ornithology.

Note: Birds Canada continues to refine the Community Grant to better serve applicants and, most importantly, birds. We may continue to make changes to the program in the future, which will be clearly detailed in the Application Guide. 

The program prioritizes supporting small-scale projects from organizations that have limited access to other funding opportunities. Projects are typically awarded between $2,000 and $5,000.

Applications are accepted in September for projects taking place the following calendar year. Applications must be submitted online by September 29th at 5:00 PM Pacific Time. Applications may be submitted in English or French. Please ensure you review all of the information below before submitting an application, especially the eligibility criteria listed in the Applicant Guide, as changes may have been made since the last granting cycle.

For questions related to the program, please contact Karla Falk (kfalk@birdscanada.org).

Great Blue Heron photo: Deborah MacEwan

Birds Canada commits to fostering a culture that values Indigenous Engagement and Reconciliation, and Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA). These are integral approaches that shape all that we do in our organization, including our grant program. Read more about our commitment to inclusion here.

Remembering James L. Baillie

The original Baillie Fund was named in honour of James L. Baillie for his major contributions to ornithology. While our granting program’s name has evolved to reflect its national scope, Birds Canada recognizes the immense impact of Jim Baillie for birds and the ornithological community in Ontario and beyond. We encourage you to learn more about the life work of James Baillie with the Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto Field Naturalists, and more by reading the following articles:

Reflections on James L. Baillie by By Dr. H.J.M. Barnett  (link) 

Toronto Field Ornithologists’ tribute to James L. Baillie (link)