Heritage BC is pleased to announce that $476,912 in grant funding has been awarded to support 31 heritage projects across the province through the Heritage Legacy Fund, including one in Kimberley and another in Kaslo.

These grants will help heritage and community organizations conserve and protect important places, develop heritage programs, and share the stories that shape and honour our province’s identity.

The 31 projects awarded funding reflect the wide breadth of heritage work happening in communities across B.C., from conserving historic places to strengthening heritage awareness, planning and programming. Together, they demonstrate the important role heritage plays in connecting people to place, preserving community stories and contributing to vibrant community legacies.

Requests for funding through the Heritage Legacy Fund support continues to far exceed available resources. This year, Heritage BC received 121 complete applications requesting more than $1.85 million in funding, a record-breaking level of interest in the program.

“We are pleased to support these wonderful projects, and yet we consistently see a record amount of funding requested again this year which highlights the growing need for heritage funding across B.C. While the Heritage Legacy Fund provides essential support, funding for many important projects remains precarious. Heritage BC will continue to advocate for greater investment in heritage to help communities protect significant places, preserve local stories and ensure heritage remains part of B.C.’s future,” said Keri Briggs, Chair of the Heritage BC Board of Directors.

The Heritage Legacy Fund is unique as the only province-wide heritage-focused granting program in British Columbia. Administered by Heritage BC, the fund provides vital financial support to heritage and community organizations working to conserve, celebrate and sustain the province’s diverse heritage. Heritage BC would also like to also thank the volunteers and heritage professionals who contributed their time and expertise to reviewing this year’s applications.

Funding will help the Sacred Heart Heritage Conservation Project in Kimberley.

Sacred Heart Parish is one of Kimberley’s oldest and continuously operating buildings. Funding will support the restoration of Sacred Heart and returning the building to its original 1927 appearance. It is funded under the Heritage Conservation stream.

Funding will also aid the replacement of the S.S. Moyie Sponson Deck at Kaslo.

The S.S. Moyie is a paddle steamer built in Nelson, BC in 1898 which operated on Kootenay Lake until 1957. Replacing the starboard sponson on the deck of the S.S. Moyie will help preserve this National Historic Site. Funded under the Heritage Conservation stream.

The Heritage Legacy Fund (HLF) was established in 2003 through an endowment from the Province of British Columbia. Held by the Vancouver Foundation and administered annually by Heritage BC, the fund’s annual disbursement supports both Heritage BC’s operations and the HLF program. The HLF provides essential support for heritage conservation, awareness, planning, and Indigenous partnership projects across British Columbia.

Learn more about funded projects.

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