What is PCAF?
The Public Conservation Assistance Fund provides small grants to organizations and individuals who need financial help to implement a conservation project. Since 1974, the Province of BC and the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation provide approximately $150,000 each year to help implement on-the-ground conservation work, with a particular focus on hands-on, community-based, and public awareness initiatives.
Preferred PCAF projects are those that:
PCAF will fund eligible expenses up to $10,000 in any one year. You must match the requested funds by contributing a combination of volunteer labour (credited at $15 per hour), materials, or other allowable donations. At least half of your matching funds must be made up of volunteer labour. See the PCAF Application Rules & Guidelines document on the “Apply” tab for more information. To assist as many groups as possible PCAF grants are modest, averaging about $2,500 each. The maximum total amount available over the life of a PCAF project is $20,000.
Projects must be of a conservation nature, with priority given to projects that focus on activities that maintain, conserve or restore native (indigenous) freshwater fish and wildlife species and their habitats.
Some examples of PCAF projects and activities that we have funded include:
Some types of projects or activities are ineligible for PCAF funding, including but not limited to:
You can read about some of our recently-funded PCAF projects here, or download a list of the current year’s approved projects.
You can view the list of PCAF projects funded in 2021 here.
Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation is now accepting applications for the Public Conservation Assistance Fund (PCAF) grant. Applications must be submitted through HCTF’s online application system by 4:30pm on Friday May 13, 2022 (PST).
If you intend to apply for further funding to continue the same PCAF project, you must submit a new application each year and include a report, outlining expenditure details and information on the progress of your currently funded PCAF project (See Reporting tab for more details).
As PCAF will not fund activities retroactively, PCAF funded project activities cannot begin until those notifications have been received. We understand that this may impact this summer’s activities, however, we hope that proponents can manage this within the five-year window allowed for the expenditure of the PCAF grant. Thank you for your understanding.
A mandatory letter of support from your regional Provincial Fish and wildlife biologist is required.
2. Complete and submit your application using the new Survey Apply system.
Any questions about the application process can be directed to Lisa Wielinga at lisa.wielinga@hctf.ca.
Once your PCAF project has been completed, a report is required which details the activities that were conducted. If you intend to apply for additional funds, a progress report must be submitted with your new application submitted on Survey Apply by the due date.
Note: You have a maximum of five (5) years for the implementation of the project and expenditure of the Grant. A final report and any unused funds must be returned within sixty (60) days of completion, termination or expiration of the allowable term.
Please fill out the above form and include any available photos documenting your project, news clippings, etc. as these are useful for displays, presentations and other public relations activities. Once complete, you can email your completed report to Reporting@hctf.ca or mail it to:
Public Conservation Assistance Fund
#102 – 2957 Jutland Road
Victoria, BC V8T 5J9