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 five consecutive years (excluding time at a post-secondary school.)

OR

Your Family: if all members of your family meet above residency requirement

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? 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.

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

  1. 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.
  2. Submit Your Application
    • No later than one business day before your trip. Make sure you include all required 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 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!
  5. 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!

Have Questions?

Give us a call or book an appointment to chat with us.

Pam Hill

Pam Hill

Grant Coordinator

Office: HlG̲aagilda Skidegate
Ph: 250-559-8104

Ready to Apply?

Login into the Grant Management Portal.

If you haven’t logged in since Sept. 1, 2025, you must create a new account.

FAQs

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!

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

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!

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