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By Karla Falk, Community Grant Coordinator
Mark your calendars—we are pleased to announce that the Birds Canada Community Grant will be accepting applications this September. The fund prioritizes small-scale projects that increase the understanding, appreciation or conservation of birds in Canada. It’s not too early to get started on your application, with proposal questions available online now. To help you prepare, we’re answering a few of the most commonly asked questions.
Tree Swallow boxes at Haldimand Bird Observatory. Photo: Jeff MacLeod
Who can apply?
Eligible applicants include registered charities, non-profit organizations, community groups, Indigenous governments, Nations, communities or organizations, and educational institutions.
What types of projects are eligible?
We welcome projects that align with at least one of the program’s objectives:
- Contribute to our understanding of birds in their natural environment
- Increase appreciation of birds and their habitats among people in Canada
- Advance the conservation of birds in Canada
Where can projects take place?
Project activities must take place in Canada or in areas (e.g., wintering grounds or along migration routes) that are used by migratory bird species that spend part of the year in Canada.
How much funding is available?
$22,500 total funding is available in 2026. Grants typically range in size from $2,000 to $5,000 for one-year projects, but we will consider requests up to $8,000. We are working to grow this total funding pool, and strive to have additional funds available in future years.
Each year, the Ontario Bird Banding Association contributes up to $500 from the Bill and Betty Wasserfall Memorial Award to a Community Grant recipient undertaking a project that includes banding or other means of marking and tracking birds that spend part of the year in Canada.
How to apply?
The application window will be open from 2 September to 29 September 2025 at 5:00 PM Pacific Time. Please check our website for this year’s applicant guide and online application form.
Interested in who has been successful in the past?
Learn more about last year’s seven incredible grant recipients.
The Birds Canada Community Grant is funded with revenue generated by the Birds Canada Birdathon. We would like to thank Birdathon participants and donors, as well as our volunteer grant reviewers, for their generous support for bird conservation. Lastly, thank you to all applicants – we appreciate all the on-the-ground initiatives you are spearheading to make the world better for birds.
We invite you to be part of our mission to drive action to increase the understanding, appreciation, and conservation of birds in Canada!
