Fueling transformative initiatives for broad community impact

Major Grants support large-scale initiatives with transformational impact that broadly enrich the community.

Eligible initiatives

Major grants must:

  • Align with the Calgary Foundation’s mission, vision and priority areas
  • Positively impact our community by addressing major issues and encouraging participation in charitable activities from a great number of people
  • Encourage innovative partnerships and collaboration
  • Are at an advanced stage of readiness
  • Demonstrate good planning, a firm case for financial support and sustainability
  • Show organization resilience, and secure leadership that demonstrates trusted relationships, significant or unique reach in community and capacity to drive change
  • Significantly enhance the Calgary Foundation’s ability to serve as a philanthropic leader

The Major Grants program can only accept applications from registered charities and other qualified donees. Go to the Canada Revenue Agency’s Charities Listings website to determine whether your organization is a qualified donee. If you are not a qualified donee, it may be possible to apply in partnership with a registered charity. Check out the Better Together guide for more information about working in partnership.

The proposed initiative must significantly benefit Calgary and area communities, which includes Calgary, Banff National Park, Canmore, Rocky View County, the Municipal Districts of Big Horn, Foothills, Kananaskis and Wheatland, and the surrounding First Nations of Treaty 7 territory.

Next grant intake

Applications are accepted once per year. The next deadline is November 1st.

How to apply

1.Review the program guidelines and support resources carefully.

2. Book a meeting with Ingrid. It is important you book a meeting to discuss your initiative prior to September 15th.

3. Once you’re ready to apply, applications are accepted through our Online Grant Portal. We encourage all applicants to review drafts with staff.

Online Grant Portal

Collective Group Systems Change Pilot

Calgary Foundation is committed to systemic change. A 3-year pilot program has been launched to support transformational and lasting change by placing trust and shifting decision-making closer to the impacted communities. Significant and flexible funding to Black, Indigenous and racialized communities will provide critical time and space for relationship-building, autonomy and shared solutions.

To read more about this pilot, view the PDF below.

Pilot Project Groups

  • The Major Grant has given us the gift of momentum…along the way, we built interest from the community in all aspects of our work. It opened discussions about the type of programming we can do, how we can support community, and how communities can help support us. It wasn’t a single grant that made the project viable, but rather contributions from many groups.

    Contemporary Calgary

Curious which granting stream is right for your initiative?

Explore Grant and Project Tool

Questions about applying for a Major Grant? 

Please contact Ingrid Wasylyshen, Grants Associate.

Connect with Ingrid