Digital Skills Bursary Fund
Financial barriers are the biggest challenge Indigenous learners face when pursuing digital skills training. With your help, the Digital Skills Bursary Fund increases access to our Indigenous-designed digital skills training, creating important opportunities for Indigenous participation and leadership in technology.
Indigenous Designed Digital Skills Training
The First Nations Technology Council is an Indigenous-led, innovative non-profit mandated by First Nations leadership in British Columbia. We work to advance digital literacy, improve internet connectivity and provide guidance on data and digital technology for all 204 First Nations across the province.
Grounded in Indigenous culture, wisdom, and ways of being, our digital skills training programs take a tailored approach to education. We also offer learners financial and cultural support, equipment, and career services. To date, we've served over 1,300 Indigenous Peoples across BC and observed a 73% completion rate—35% higher than non-Indigenous training programs among Indigenous Learners.
35
%
higher completion rate than non-Indigenous-led programs
350
learners per year is our goal
1,300
+
learners trained to-date
18
courses to choose from
73
%
of graduates are applying their skills in new ways
Connecting Indigenous Peoples to a Digital Future
In BC, there are more than 120,000 tech jobs, but less than 1% are held by people who identify as Indigenous. Unfortunately, financial barriers are the most significant challenge preventing Indigenous Peoples from pursuing tech training opportunities according to our recent multi-year labour market study.
With your help, the Digital Skills Bursary Fund increases access to our Indigenous-designed digital skills training, creating important opportunities for Indigenous participation and leadership in technology.
Take a Meaningful Step Toward Reconciliation. Donate Today.
Our goal is to deliver impactful digital skills training to at least 350 Indigenous learners every year. Your donation will help us reach this goal by increasing the number of Indigenous learners who can enrol in our life-and-career-ready programs at no cost to them.
By donating as little as $100, you can help ensure a learner has the necessary technology and equipment to participate in our programming. With each $1,000 donation, you can help a learner acquire a laptop equipped with the required software for their course. An $8,000 donation will fund all costs associated with putting a learner through a course, including tuition, equipment and technology, financial aid, cultural support, and career mentorship.
Whether you're an individual, company, or philanthropic organization, your donation can turn a dream into reality.
Our goal is to raise $400,000 by December 31, 2024.
$116,074.02
$400,000
To make an online donation and receive a charitable tax receipt, click the button below.
You will be directed to our Charitable Impact page.
Donate HereTo make an online contribution and receive a transaction receipt only, click the button below.
You will be directed to our online payment portal.
Contribute HereTo make an offline contribution, cheques can be mailed to:
First Nations Technology Council
70 Orwell St unit 102
North Vancouver, BC V7J 3R5
70 Orwell St unit 102
North Vancouver, BC V7J 3R5
Please reference “Digital Skills Bursary Fund” in the note section on your cheque.
For companies or philanthropic organizations wishing to make a larger contribution, typically $25,000 and up, please contact us below.
Our Partners
We gratefully acknowledge the support of our sustaining partners for the Digital Skills Bursary Fund.
