Funding
Bow Valley Non-Profit Grant Funding Resources
Discover funding and grant opportunities and resources for Bow Valley Non-Profits. Explore local, provincial, and federal funding opportunities below. Please contact us to add a funding resource or opportunity.
Bow Valley Non-Profit Grant Meetings
Would you like to learn more about grant opportunities? Join a local group, in person or virtually, on the second Thursday of each month from 10:15 am to 12:15 pm at the Canmore Public Library. Contact Elle West at the Town of Canmore for more details: [email protected].
- April 11, 2024
- May 9, 2024
- June 13, 2024
These meetings focus on connecting to the Grant Connect Database and finding upcoming grant opportunities. The group discusses ways to develop partnership opportunities, collaborate on events, share resources & grants, and discuss grant writing best practices. Any Bow Valley organizations seeking funding or grant opportunities are welcome to join! Feel free to invite others who may benefit from this meeting.
Alberta Government’s Online Grant Tool
Alberta’s not-for-profit organizations and charities now have a one-stop shop to access the supports and services they need to start, manage and grow. To simplify access to these resources, the Department of Arts, Culture and Status of Women has launched a new online tool that allows workers or volunteers in these organizations to find and access services, funding and programs that can help them.
In 2021, the Red Tape Reduction Non-profit Industry Panel identified that Alberta non-profits had difficulty accessing supports and navigating information about services provided by Alberta’s government. The panel suggested that a one-window approach could assist the sector in identifying relevant services and funding opportunities. This new tool is the answer to navigation difficulties.
Click here to view the new online tool for Alberta non-profits
NEW Grant Funding Opportunities – Spring/Summer 2024
Town of Canmore Community Grants
The Town of Canmore Community Grants program is open now until April 30, 2024. Canmore-based not-for-profit societies and community organizations are invited to apply for funding to support local initiatives and local/regional events that promote a circular economy, a sense of belonging, community affordability, and equity, diversity, and inclusion. For more information on eligibility criteria or to apply, visit the website.
Town of Banff Community Grants
Applications open March 25 and close May 17, 2024.
Community Grant Info Sessions: Do you have a community idea to bring to life? Learn about the Town of Banff Community Grants program. In this virtual, free, one-hour webinar, you’ll discover what funds are available, who is eligible, how the granting process works, and how they can help. Everyone welcome.
- Monday, April 15 12-1 p.m. Register Online
- Monday, April 22, 7-8 p.m. Register Online
Town of Banff Community Grants were established to provide an annual distribution of funds to enhance the quality of life for residents and encourage positive environmental change. The three, grant funding streams are:
Municipal Community Wellbeing Grants
- Who can apply? Registered non-profits, charities, societies or community groups serving Banff
- What can they apply for? Funds to support projects, programs, events, operating costs, equipment or start-up funds that benefit Banff residents and enhance their quality of life in accordance with the Town of Banff’s vision, goals, and strategic priorities
- How much is available? Total grant money available is $11,000, up to $10,000 per grant
- Funding Guidelines (PDF)
FCSS Building Bridges Grants
- Who can apply? Individuals, informal groups of individuals or neighbours, or non-registered groups/community organizations
- What can they apply for? Funds which support projects, initiatives, events or equipment that fit with the Family & Community Support Services (FCSS) funding agreement with the province- strengthening the social well-being of individuals, families, and community
- How much is available? Total grant money available is $11,000, up to $2,000 per grant. Typical grant size is between $100 and $2,000
- Funding Guidelines (PDF)
Environmental Impact Grants
- Who can apply? Individuals, informal groups of individuals or neighbours, or non-registered groups/community organizations
- What can they apply for? Funds for projects or initiatives that demonstrate positive environmental impacts and align with Banff’s Environmental Master Plan (PDF) – including reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and waste-to-landfill
- How much is available? Total grant money available $20,000, up to $10,000 per grant
- Funding Guidelines (PDF)
If you have questions or need assistance in completing your application, contact Community Services at 403.762.1251 or email [email protected].
Youth Suicide Prevention Grant Program
Open now until April 15, the Youth Suicide Prevention Grant Program funds projects that support youth suicide prevention. Targeted grant funding will be used to support evidence-informed initiatives that align with one or more of the Youth Suicide Prevention Grant Program Guidelines outcome areas, target priority youth populations at increased risk of suicide, and either:
– expand the capacity of existing initiatives to address identified suicide prevention gaps and community needs
– support the development and piloting of new, innovative initiatives to address identified suicide prevention gaps and community needs
Indigenous Reconciliation Initiative
Funding up to $100,000 for cultural or economic projects through two streams:
- Cultural Stream – Funds Indigenous-led initiatives that enhance, protect, or revitalize Indigenous languages, heritage, culture and arts.
- Economic Stream – Funds Indigenous-led capacity and opportunity development projects that improve economic outcomes for communities.
Applications open April 2024
Support for creative research, project development, creation and production that result in:
- a public presentation
- a confirmed exhibition
- a media arts or digital arts production ready for dissemination
- (an) artist book(s) for visual arts publishers or visual artists
Application deadline – April 17, 2024
Connection Grants support workshops, colloquiums, conferences, forums, summer institutes or other events or outreach activities that facilitate:
- disciplinary and/or interdisciplinary exchanges in the social sciences and humanities;
scholarly exchanges between those working in the social sciences and humanities and those working in other research fields; - intersectoral exchanges between academic researchers in the social sciences and humanities and researchers and practitioners from the public, private and/or not-for-profit sectors; and/or
- international research collaboration and scholarly exchanges with researchers, students and non-academic partners from other countries.
Deadline – May 1, 2024
Alberta Foundation for the Arts
This funding supports Alberta schools by subsidizing fees of professional Alberta artists of any artistic discipline that provide interactive arts residency projects for grades K – 12
Application deadline – May 1, 2024
Calgary Arts Development Honouring the Children Grant
For Indigenous artists or Indigenous arts organizations who live and work on Treaty 7 territory, to support artistic projects responding to, honouring or in memory of the loss of life, culture, ceremony and language amongst the original peoples of this land because of the residential school system.
Applications open until funds are allocated or until August 15, 2024.
Ongoing Funding Opportunities
Non-profit organizations create their campaigns and invite supporters to share on social media and donate. The organization receives all of the donations raised, less third party payment processing fees and optional platform fees, whether they reach their funding goal or not. The Government of Alberta will match 30% of funds raised by an eligible campaign in its first 8 weeks on the platform.
Granting priorities are focused on creating the individual and systemic conditions necessary for people to realize their full potential. Priorities focus on those with immediate needs and children, youth and families who are economically disadvantaged. Grants support organizations that deliver measurable impact in support of that vision.
The application process begins with a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) found by clicking the New Application button in portal. LOIs can be submitted at any time.
A training program where an employer applies on behalf of their present or future employees for eligible training costs.
Training must be:
- total 21 instructional hours or longer per trainee per application
- start within 6 months after receiving Canada-Alberta Job Grant approval
- be completed within 52 weeks of the training courses start date
- result in some credential (record of completion, certification, grade, and so on)
- Training may be delivered on a full or part-time basis, and may be any combination of online, on-site or in a classroom setting.
Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation (SPAR) Donation Fund Program encourages support for the development of sport, physical activity and recreation in Alberta. Eligible sport, physical activity and recreation development programs are those delivered directly or in partnership with the organizations enrolled in the Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Donation Fund Program.
RBC Youth Mental Health Project
This project funds programs that address youth and family’s immediate need to access mental health services. This fund will support organizations and programs that target youth aged 13-24, and where applicable, their families. Must be a registered charitable organization.
Electronics Recycling Association
They collect used electronic equipment and repurpose them for charities/nonprofits: “The Electronic Recycling Association (ERA) is a non-profit organization committed to reducing unnecessary electronic waste by recycling and repurposing used electronics. We work with local companies to repurpose used electronics and IT equipment in a safe and secure manner. Our team works with community charities to provide repurposed computers and electronics to those in need.” https://www.era.ca/apply-for-donations/
Requests must be made by one of the following (Canada-based only):
- Not-for-Profit Organizations
- Charitable Organization
- Care Facilities (ie: hospitals, seniors’ homes)
- Educational Institutions
Childcare Space Creation Grant
Open to non-profit groups and licensed family day home agencies interested in creating new child care spaces or expanding existing child care programs. The creation of spaces will be targeted in areas of high need and high demand for childcare spaces through 4 funding categories:
- Expanding or creating new licensed facilities in locations identified as child care deserts (communities where there is limited to no child care)
- Existing and new family day home agencies creating spaces in child care deserts (communities where there is limited to no child care) and areas of high demand
- Expanding existing licensed facilities where there is high demand
- New licensed facilities where there is high demand
Submissions are currently being accepted, no deadline is stated. For any Canmore-based childcare agencies interested in applying, please see the recent Canmore Childcare Assessment – (bottom right corner of page under “reports”)
Community Economic Development and Diversification Program
Eligible project activities help develop and diversify the Canadian Prairies economy (Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba) and include:
- Community Development – activities to stimulate economic growth or diversification that capitalize on community capacity, strengths, and opportunities.
- Community Adjustment – activities to support Prairie communities facing economic shocks, challenging economic circumstances and/or depressed economic conditions.
- Inclusiveness – activities that help women, youth, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, official language minority communities and other underrepresented groups participate in the economy
Eligible applicants include incorporated not-for-profits, post-secondary institutions, First Nations and Métis Settlements, and provincial/municipal crown corporations. The CEDD program generally provides non-repayable contributions by reimbursing costs that successful applicants have paid. There is no deadline.
Supports climate action by Indigenous peoples through funding for Indigenous-owned and led renewable energy, energy efficiency, and low-carbon heating projects. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis until March 31, 2027.
Alberta Arts Grants Calendar
The Roza Foundation offers a grant calendar with upcoming grant deadlines for funding available to arts organizations and artists in Alberta. The list includes public funders at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels, along with private foundations that support the arts in Alberta. –> Click here to view the grant calendar
Statistic & Demographics Resources
Funding applications often require research into statistics and demographic data that help support the application. Below are some useful resource links.
- Statistics Canada – Statistics that help Canadians better understand their country—its population, resources, economy, society and culture. Stats Canada conduct a Census every five years, as well as 350 active surveys on virtually all aspects of Canadian life.
- Immigration and settlement research from the Bow Valley Immigration Partnership.
- Town of Banff – Community Social Assessments – A snapshot in time of Banff’s social well-being and vitality – strengths, assets and opportunities, alongside issues and challenges.
- Town of Banff – Recreation Master Plan Phase 2 – This includes; Recreation Grounds Redevelopment Plan, Trails Master Plan, Recreation Programs and Services Master Plan and Recreation Facilities Master Plan.
- Town Hall | Banff, AB – Official Website – Other Town of Banff reports.
- Town of Canmore – Community Monitoring Report – A summary of key Town of Canmore indicators that provide local information about past and current trends.
- Town of Canmore – Culture Master Plan (2020) – This plan is the result of an investigation into cultural practice in Canmore – how it emerged, how it serves the community, and what is needed to ensure continued growth.
- Town of Canmore – Recreation Master Plan (2016) – Guides decision-making and efforts related to recreation spaces and services, ultimately enhancing the value of recreation in the local area.
- Document Library: Town of Canmore – Other Town of Canmore reports.
- Bow Valley Non-Profit Survey Report (2020) – Survey to examine how non-profit and community organizations are being impacted by the Covid 19 pandemic. View key themes that emerged.
- Bow Valley Non-Profit Survey Report (2015) – The intent of this survey was to increase understanding of supports and resources that may be required as well as gaining a “snapshot in time” of the overall health of our non-profits and community groups in terms of current human, financial and operational resources.
Local & Provincial Funding Opportunities
- Community Grants: Town of Canmore – Community Event Grant and a Community Initiative Grant. Information sessions usually run in April.
- Town of Banff – Community Grants – For registered non-profit charities and societies in Banff. Projects, programs, events, operating costs, equipment or start-up funds that benefit Banff residents and enhance their quality of life in accordance with the Town of Banff’s vision, goals, and strategic priorities. Grants up to $5,000. The total grant money available is $10,000 for all grants awarded. Grant applications typically open from the end of March to the end of April.
- Town of Banff – Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) – Building Bridges Grant – For community and neighbourhood groups and individuals in Banff and Lake Louise. Projects that fit with the FCSS mission of strengthening the social well-being of individuals, families and community (recreation initiatives that achieve this mission will be considered). Typical grant size is between $100 and $2,000. Total grant money available is $6,000. * This is one of the few grants available to non-profit organizations who are not registered.
- The Banff Canmore Foundation Community Grants on an annual basis across the following sectors to qualified donees: arts, education, environment, health, heritage, and recreation and social services. Outside of the granting cycle, the foundation also awards three scholarships: the Lafarge Education Endowment Fund scholarship, the Marika Laub Memorial Scholarship, and the Christie Foreman & Christopher Wong Scholarship Endowment Fund.
- Communities | Lafarge Canada – Each year, Lafarge contributes volunteer time, in-kind donations and funding to a range of organizations committed to building local communities. To help guide sponsorship and support, Lafarge looks for projects that support these three core community values: education, environment and sustainable construction.
- Bow Valley Credit Union Sponsorships – Bow Valley Credit Union is actively focused on growing the communities where we live and work. Through our Community Investment Program, BVCU helps our communities grow stronger and become better places to live through sponsorships and donations. We are focused and proactive with emphasis on our youth and community based projects.
- Calgary Foundation Grants – Exists to support charitable organizations working to build a community where everyone feels they belong. With over 60 years of community leadership, we are proud to partner with hundreds of organizations each year through thoughtful, impactful and innovative grants.
- Canmore Rotary – Founded in 1991, the Rotary Club of Canmore has raised more than one million dollars to support a wide variety of local and international projects – each serving to raise the profile of Canmore internationally, as well as help individuals and local community groups tackle activities which contribute to the quality of life in the Bow Valley and in many communities in developing countries.
- Grant Programs | Municipal District of Bighorn, AB – Provides grants, to eligible recipients, for various purposes. Applications are reviewed by the Community Services Board in September each year.
- Charitable Gaming | Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) – Alberta has a unique charitable gaming model. It is the only province in Canada where charitable organizations are licensed to conduct and manage casino events. AGLC also licenses charitable organizations to fundraise through bingo, as well as selling raffle and pull tickets.
- Field Law Community Fund Program – Field Law – This annual program supports individuals, groups or organizations in Alberta and the Northwest Territories with pay-it-forward ideas for their communities. A total of $75,000 is divided among our Community Markets, with $30,000 distributed in the Southern Alberta Community Market; $30,000 distributed in the Northern Alberta Community Market; and $15,000 distributed in the Northwest Territories Community Market.
- Trailblazer Fund for Non-Profits – Switchback Creative – Annual fund for non-profit organizations that are doing really great work and have design, web or branding challenges. Apply for a chance to receive $10,000 in services from Switchback Creative. Applications open every September.
TIP: A Grants Database can help you identify grants available specific to your project. The Banff Public Library hosts the Grant Connect Database. A copy of the Canadian Subsidy Directory: Subsidies, Grants and Loans are available through Town of Canmore FCSS.
Alberta Government Provincial Funding Opportunities
- Alberta Government – Grant for Non-Profits – Financial assistance for non-profit organizations, including the Community Initiatives and Community Facility Enhancement programs.
- Community Initiatives Program (CIP) – Supports not-for-profit organizations by providing funds to enhance and enrich project-based initiatives throughout Alberta. Supports initiatives such as community services, seniors services, libraries, arts and culture, sports, educations, health and recreation.
- Crowdfunding Alberta | Investing in our future, together – Crowdfunding Alberta is a made-for-Alberta crowdfunding platform. It helps to connect Alberta’s non-profit organizations with supporters and donors for fundraising campaigns.
- Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP) – Assists Alberta’s municipalities and not-for-profit organizations with the costs of planning, upgrading and developing a wide range of community-use facilities and places which enhance community life and citizen well-being.
Government of Canada: Federal Funding Opportunities
- Funding – Canada.ca – Funding programs for jobs, training, and social development projects.
- Community Forward Fund – $12 million fund that provides innovative financing to community organizations throughout Canada.
- Government Funding Programs (CharityVillage) – Curated this list of Canadian government grant programs to help.
Top Fundraising Resources of 2023
- Diversifying your nonprofit’s revenue: How you slice the pie matters
(Nonprofit Hub) - On Collaboration, Communication, and the Future of Corporate Fundraising: An Interview with Crystal Daniel (Imagine Canada)
- 7 red flags for funders in your grant proposal (Candid)
- Let’s Imagine podcast Episode 7: How the lack of core funding is impacting 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations (Imagine Canada)
- How to cultivate an abundance mindset (The Aesthetics of Joy)
- A great frontline fundraiser won’t work 9-5 (Veritus Group)
- Radical grantmaking: Shifting decision-making – and power – to communities (The Philanthropist)
- Using “Thank You” as a donor retention strategy (Funraise)
- Success stories: Nonprofits that nailed donor fatigue handling (Perfect Doc Studio)
- 10 step guide to cultivating corporate sponsors (The Fundraising Authority)
You’re worth the investment: How to advocate for your professional development (Propper Fundraising)