The Heritage Language Program, which operates through the Community Liaison Division of the Ministry Responsible for Multiculturalism and Immigration, provides financial assistance to B.C.'s language schools that offer language instruction not available through existing provincial education programs. Heritage languages are languages other than English or French that are taught by non-profit schools outside of the provincial curriculum. The schools are mainly subsidized by students' tuition fees and fundraising. A typical school holds classes on weekends or in the evenings, and is run by volunteer administrators and teachers. Twenty-six language groups representing countries from Europe, the Middle East, South Asia and the Pacific Rim are served by the B.C. Heritage Language Program.
All schools receiving funds are non-profit organizations.
Ten per cent of funding is held back on Stream B projects pending receipt of satisfactory evaluation and financial summary report upon project completion.