Staycation Grant

At a Glance

Application Deadlines

No later than one business day before your trip

Amount Available:

Up to $250 per person, once a year

Completion Requirement:

Funds must be used for a locally owned business

Who Can Apply?

You: If you’ve been living on Haida Gwaii for at least 24 consecutive months

OR

Your Family or Organization: If you’re a family (all members meet above residency requirement); or a Haida Gwaii non-profit group or organization with its own bank account.

Your Guide to the Staycation Grant Application

Are you a resident of Haida Gwaii seeking adventure in your own backyard? Are you looking to explore Haida Gwaii’s lush forests, kayak along its stunning coastlines, or immerse yourself in its rich cultural heritage? In 2025, the Gwaii Trust Society has allocated $150,000 to assist with staycations on Haida Gwaii. This funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis until funding is depleted.

The Staycation Grant offers up to $250 per person to experience the beauty and excitement Haida Gwaii has to offer.

Interested? Here’s everything you need to know to apply.

Connect with our Grants team

Eligible Expenses

Booking fees for locally owned fishing charters, land tours, or water tours
Accommodation fees for locally owned hotels, cabins, or vacation rentals
Equipment rentals such as:
- Kayaks
- Paddleboards
- Bikes
- Campers
- Scooters
- Surfboards

The Staycation Grant Process

Applications Open (year-round)
- Ready to apply? You’ll need your booking confirmation, direct deposit information, the name of the locally-owned business, and a brief summary of your staycation plan.
Submit Your Application
- No later than one business day before your trip. Make sure you include all required documents.
Review and Decision (Within 3 weeks)
- After the deadline, the Gwaii Trust Board will review your application and make funding decisions. Depending on the number of applications, approval can take up to three weeks.
Complete Your Course
- Once you’ve finished your staycation, write a brief summary of your trip and submit some photos — we’d love to share your experience!
Receive Your Funds
- After you submit all your documents, we’ll distribute the funds.

If you’re ready to explore your community while supporting local tourism businesses, we look forward to your application!

Connect with our Grants team

FAQs

Are there any expenses NOT covered by the Staycation Grant?

There are a few things the grant won’t cover. You can’t use the grant for:

Fishing charters, tours, or lodgings by businesses that are NOT locally owned.
Rentals or payments to private individuals
Transportation, mileage, or car rental costs related to your trip.
Tips, meals, clothing, or equipment purchases
Fishing or other types of licenses

If you’re not sure if an expense is eligible, please contact us. We’d love to see how we can help!

Can I apply if I already have funding from other sources?

You won’t be eligible for the Staycation Grant if your employer or group is paying for your trip.

What should I do if my trip has to be delayed?

If you need to delay your trip because of weather or other reasons, you won’t need to reapply. Just let us know about the delay.

For more information, please review our Staycation Grant Application Guide. We look forward to hearing from you!

Need More Information?

Pam Hill

Grant Coordinator
Office: HlG̲aagilda – Skidegate

Email: pam.hill@gwaiitrust.com
Ph: 250 559 8104