Indigenous artwork superimposed over an aerial view photo of Muncho Lake, B.C.
Artwork: nch7mut | One Heart, One Mind, One People
míkw’achi7m | Marissa Nahanee, sḵwx̱wú7mesh and Nisg̱a'a Nation
Photo Credit: Muncho Lake, British Columbia, Ryan Dickie, Fort Nelson First Nation

Indigenous Communities Fund


The TELUS Indigenous Communities Fund (ICF) offers $5,000 - $25,000 grants for Indigenous-led social, health and community programs. Together, we can make the future friendly by supporting Indigenous leaders and community groups who know their communities best.

Our commitment to reconciliation

In partnership with Indigenous Peoples, TELUS is committed to progressing the path of reconciliation in a deeply meaningful way and is dedicated to fulfilling our role and responsibilities in this regard.
For more than a decade, TELUS has collaborated with Indigenous Peoples and organizations to enable connectivity and bridge digital, geographic and socio-economic divides.
Working together, we are helping create tangible outcomes that will impact generations to come.

Funding Indigenous-led solutions

The TELUS Indigenous Communities Fund provides flexible grant funding to Indigenous-led programs supporting Indigenous Peoples in Canada across all provinces and territories.
Funding is available for projects focused on, but not limited to:
  • Health, mental health and well-being
  • Access to education and resources
  • Preservation of the land and water
  • Community building and enhancement
  • Intergenerational language and cultural revitalization
Preference may be given to programs where technology is being used to advance reconciliation.

Application deadlines

Applications are reviewed two times per year. The application portal will remain open until either the first 200 applicants are received or the deadline is reached, whichever comes first. We encourage all applicants to apply early.
Please allow 12 weeks following the application deadline to receive a response regarding your application status. Applications are due by midnight (your local time) on the following dates:
  • Spring: Now closed
  • Fall: September 9 to October 11, 2024, or until the first 200 applicants are received.
Please note: Applying for the fund does not guarantee that an applicant will receive funding.
If you are an Indigenous-led registered charity or qualified donee supporting youth through health or education programs, apply for a
TELUS Friendly Future Foundation Community Board grant
.

Funding guidelines

The ICF provides one-time grants to Indigenous-led organizations such as Band Councils, Indigenous Governments or representative groups, community groups and non-profits.
Non-Indigenous-led organizations can apply if they demonstrate a clear and tangible relationship with an Indigenous organization and have documented support from an Indigenous-led organization or community.
Eligible organizations can apply once per calendar year. $5,000 - $25,000 grants are available to support Indigenous-led initiatives that support tangible positive outcomes.
Requests eligible for funding: 
  • Your organization, community group or project supports Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) within Canada
  • Your organization has not received funding from TELUS or the Indigenous Communities Fund in the last two years
  • You clearly address a pressing social or well-being need and create measurable community outcomes such as, but not limited to:
      • Accomplishing individual and community wellness and healing
      • Reviving cultural strength, knowledge and skills
      • Helping overcome geographical and economical barriers
      • Increasing social connections to help foster community engagement.
Requests ineligible for funding: 
  • For-profit initiatives
  • Retroactive funding 
  • Religious-focused projects or organizations 
  • Sponsorship requests 
  • Sole proprietorship/Individually-owned applicants
  • Lobbying
  • Projects that operate outside of Canada
  • Go-Fund-Me campaigns or individual fundraising initiatives

Indigenous Communities Fund recipients

TELUS is proud to announce the first round of 2024 recipients of the Indigenous Communities Fund.
Labrador Friendship Centre
Through the Improved Community Access program, the
Labrador Friendship Centre
will provide access to technology, transportation, facilitate more accessible and sensory-friendly programming, emergency food relief and resume and job procurement programming. The funding will support the purchase of low-cost laptops for clients in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador, whose lack of access is creating a barrier to education and community connection.

Past recipients

TELUS’ commitment to artistic integrity

We are committed to supporting the artistic practices of Indigenous Peoples, while being mindful of the historic role organizations have played in the misappropriation of Indigenous art and culture. We have an obligation and responsibility to ensure that TELUS’ use of Indigenous art in our digital and physical spaces is respectful of Indigenous artists. TELUS works with each artist to ensure that they retain full intellectual property and control over their work.

Contact us

If you have a question or a funding request that falls outside of the application deadlines, please contact us at
[email protected]