The Community Grants program supports initiatives that engage citizens and that strengthen charities.
In 2020-2021, Calgary Foundation shifted our semi-annual grant program Community Grants to focus on helping charities and other qualified donees with their pandemic needs. This fall, we return to the broader scope of our regular Community Grants program aimed at strengthening the charitable sector and engaging citizens. However, we also made some adaptations that reflect the ongoing effects of the pandemic, our commitment to Reconciliation, and our belief in the value of partnerships and collaboratives for advancing equity and systemic change. We anticipate that the demand on the program will remain as high as it was throughout 2020-2021.
Eligibility:
The Community 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 registered charity but wish to apply for funding, you can consider the following options:
- Make a formal application to CRA to become a registered charity.
- Equity-seeking groups, it is possible to apply in partnership with a registered charity. Please review the program guidelines for details.
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:
The next application deadline is September 15, 2021 at 4pm.
Click here to view a webinar about the September 2021 Community Grants intake.
How to apply:
Review the program guidelines carefully.
It’s best to contact grants staff a month before the deadline to discuss your initiative. Please click here to schedule a Community Grant conversation before September 8th.
Applications are accepted through our Online Grant Portal. You can access the portal by clicking on the Online Grant Portal button below. Grants staff are available to assist you through the application process
You have the option of providing more detail about your work in writing or through a short video or audio recording. If you choose video or audio, you will record, create a link and link it through the Online Grant Portal. You will still complete the other sections (Organization Information, Overview and Budget) in writing. Detailed instructions are listed in the application.
To honour oral practices, we also accept oral applications from Indigenous-led organizations. Please contact us to make arrangements.
Contact:
If you have questions about applying for a Community Grant, please contact Djaka Blais-Amare or Ingrid Wasylyshen.