Travel Assistance Grant

At a Glance

Application Deadlines

Payment after trip: four days before departure date
Payment before trip: 14 days before departure date

Amount Available:

$400 per person per trip
Maximum of two trips per calendar year

Who Can Apply?

You: If you’re aged two and up and have lived on Haida Gwaii for at least 24 consecutive months.

OR

Your Group: If you’re a Haida Gwaii non-profit group or organization with its own bank account.

Your Guide to the Travel Assistance Grant Application

Are you an individual or group looking to travel off-island for camps, Haida cultural activities, education, sports and workshops? In 2025, the Gwaii Trust Society allocated $138,000 to assist with off-island travel on a first-come, first served basis. This funding has now been fully expended. Check back in 2026 for updates to the Travel Assistance Grant.

You may be eligible to qualify for up to $400 per person per trip through our Travel Assistance Grant.

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

Connect with our Grants team

Eligible Travel Expenses

  • Participating in cultural activities or events as a Haida person
  • Travelling to attend a post-secondary institution or take part in a graduation ceremony
  • Joining off-island camps
  • Competing in off-island sporting events

The Travel Assistance Grant Process

  1. Applications Open (year-round)
    • Ready to apply? Be sure to include all your travel details, such as your destination, departure and return dates, and hotel or flight information. You’ll also need to describe the purpose of your visit and provide a list of all participants if you’re travelling as a group.
  2. Submit Your Application
    • For payment after trip: At least four days before your departure date
    • For payment before trip: At least 14 days before your departure date
    • Once you have everything you need, apply through the Gwaii Trust portal. Make sure to include all your supporting documents.
  3. 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.
  4. Complete Your Trip
    • Once you’ve returned from your trip, submit your receipts and write a brief summary. Be sure to include some photos—we’d love to share your story!
  5. Receive Your Funds
    • After you submit all your documents, we’ll distribute the funds.

If you have any questions, please reach out to our grants team.

Connect with our Grants team

FAQs

a

Can I apply if I have third-party coverage?

Of course! Even if you have third-party coverage such as TAPS or workplace coverage, we’d love for you to apply. Just make sure to include that information with your application.

a

I was approved for a Travel grant, what now? 

We will need receipts for all expenses, except food, and a written report once your trip is done. Please be sure to include a minimum of two photos of your trip with your report. Payments usually take up to three weeks to process once they are considered complete. If your trip is cancelled or any details have changed since approval, please contact travel@gwaiitrust.com to discuss the changes and determine next steps. 

a

What kinds of travel are NOT covered under the Travel Assistance Grant?

There are a few types of travel that aren’t covered under the Travel Assistance Grant. This includes:

  • Attending off-island events solely as a spectator, including cultural events, sports competitions, and graduation ceremonies
  • Working off-island on your art
  • Visiting an off-island museum, aquarium, zoo or Science World
  • Visiting an off-island swimming pool or ice rink
  • On-island travel or kids camps
  • Trips taken exclusively for medical reasons are not eligible for funding.

If you’re not sure if your travel qualifies, please contact us!

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

Need More Information?

Contact us for more questions about the grant or help with your application.

Pam Hill

Grant Coordinator
Office: HlG̲aagilda – Skidegate

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

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