Overview
Calgary Foundation grants are available to registered charities and other qualified donees as defined by the Canada Revenue Agency, in Calgary and the surrounding area, and Treaty 7 Nations.
Organizations can apply to more than one grant program at a time. In general, an organization can hold a maximum of one active grant in each program. An exception may apply to organizations supporting a non-charity or group of charities. Please check the grant program guidelines for details.
Curious which grants you may be eligible for? Take our Granting Stream Quiz!
Not sure where to start? Check out the Granting Toolkit.
Grant Programs
Supports single or multi-year, large-scale initiatives with transformational impact that broadly enrich the community.
Deadline:
November (check program webpage for precise deadlines)
Funding Level:
Grants sizes vary, the maximum is roughly $1M
Strengthening all parts of the charitable sector and engaging citizens in building their communities. Projects that are new or represent significant strategic enhancements or expansion to existing programs or services.
Deadline:
- Mid-February
- Mid-September
- (Check website for precise deadlines)
Funding Level:
Grants sizes vary, the average is $75,000
Supports all aspects of amateur sports in Canada. Includes new initiatives that encourage young people to learn about, enjoy and play amateur sport of all kinds as well as those that increase equal access and promote participation in community-based amateur sport. (Open to charities across Canada).
Deadline:
Mid-November
Funding Level:
Grants sizes vary, the average is $45,000
Support small, time-sensitive strategic initiatives that help charities:
- Bring outside expertise into the organization in order to build capacity, strengthen board governance; or support professional development. and/or
- Advance their work by piloting a new program idea, testing an innovative enhancement to current program offerings, or improving outcomes for program participants
Deadline:
First of every month
Funding Level:
Grants sizes vary, the maximum is $10,000
Help people build their sense of inclusive belonging in their own neighbourhoods and communities. Charities must use a community development approach and have meaningful project leadership roles for grassroots people from the project community. If your group is not a registered charity, call us to discuss grant options.
Deadline:
Multiple deadlines through the year
Funding Level:
Grants sizes vary, the maximum is $10,000.
Help people bring small acts of community to life. These small grants encourage active citizenship by providing residents with funds to implement creative projects that benefit their local community.
Deadline:
Apply anytime. We aim to let you know within four weeks if your project will be awarded a Stepping Stones.
Funding Level:
Under $1000
Debt financing (loans) to charities and non-profit organizations. Augments investments from traditional financial institutions or provides investments to organizations with credit capacity, but who are unable to secure financing from a bank or other financial institution.
Deadline:
Ongoing
Funding Level:
Varies widely
Catchment Area
Calgary, Banff National Park, Canmore, Rocky View County, the Municipal Districts of Big Horn, Foothills, Kananaskis and Wheatland (including towns and hamlets), and the surrounding First Nations of Treaty 7 territory.
What we don’t support through application-based grants:
- Activities that do not align with Calgary Foundation’s stated values
- Academic research
- Fundraising activities or salaries
- Debt retirement and endowments
- Religious services or proselytizing
Who assesses grant requests:
Calgary Foundation’s volunteer committees assess the majority of grant requests. The Grants and Advisory Committees are composed of board members and community leaders with diverse backgrounds in charitable work and community building.
Get in touch:
Calgary Foundation is striving to make all our grant processes equitable. Grants Associates provide input, support and guidance to applicants and we are open to learning how we might make our processes more accessible to equity-deserving communities.
Whenever possible, we are happy to chat about your initiative or idea before you apply. Please review the program guidelines and contact us to discuss any questions. If you are not sure which type of grant is the best fit, please try our Granting Stream Quiz tool, or contact us.