Overview

Alberta’s Ethnocultural Grant Program is intended to support community organizations to implement initiatives that build diverse, inclusive and welcoming multicultural communities. Additionally, the program will support Indigenous communities to celebrate and build on their rich historical heritage.

The program promotes intercultural understanding by providing funding for projects that encourage people to share, learn, appreciate, and respect cultural diversity.

The program funds are not designed to address access to affordable housing, job opportunities, or healthcare. Rather, the funds are intended to educate about cultural diversity and inclusion in Alberta.

In the first intake, more than 380 applications were received with 182 projects being awarded grants.

Important dates

Application period is currently closed. 

New intake dates will be posted in mid-2024.

Funding streams

Successful applications will support projects in 1 of 2 program streams:

Stream 1

Successful projects under this stream will create opportunities for intercultural connections with ethnocultural and Indigenous groups. Examples include cultural exchanges, cooperative work between communities, creating safe spaces, community dialogues, creative projects, roundtables, conferences, and more.

Stream 2

Successful projects under this stream will create opportunities to celebrate diversity. Examples of eligible projects include events such as festivals, cultural showcases, and performances that introduce cultural worldviews, expressions, creativity, and innovation.

Applicants can apply for a maximum of $50,000 in funding for Stream 1 projects; and up to $15,000 under Stream 2.

Eligibility

These Alberta-based organizations can apply for grant funding:

  • non-profit organizations or Indigenous government, tribal council, band council, settlement, and not-for-profit Indigenous organizations
  • universities, colleges, or institutes, as defined under Alberta’s Post-Secondary Learning Act
  • arms-length municipal or municipal district affiliated organizations may apply in partnership with an Indigenous and ethnocultural organizations

Organizations must:

  • have a clear understanding of the project they want to undertake and how it will contribute to the goals of the grant program
  • have a clear budget and timeline for their project
  • demonstrate that they have the capacity to undertake the project

Projects submitted for funding must meet one or more of the following program outcomes:

Stream 1

  • Albertans have increased their cross-cultural or intercultural connections, or both
  • Albertans have a better understanding of and value for people from other cultures and their cultural differences.

Stream 2

  • Albertans from diverse ethnocultural and Indigenous backgrounds feel increasingly understood and appreciated.
  • Diverse backgrounds are celebrated, making Alberta communities more welcoming and inclusive.

Before you apply

Below are resources that will help in your application.

Grant information sessions

Register for live webinar sessions.

Table 1. Grant information sessions, date and time, and link for registration.

Ethnocultural Grant sessionsDate and timeRegistration link
Information session 1December 13, 2023, 
4 to 5 pm
Watch the session video below
Information session 2January 17, 2024, 
noon to 1 pm
Watch the session video below

Resources

Ethnocultural Grant fact sheet

MyAlberta Digital ID for business guide

Videos

How to create a MyAlberta Digital ID for Business account

How to apply for an Ethnocultural and ​Anti-Racism Grant

Ethnocultural Grant Information Session 1 – December 13

This video contains important information for anyone interested in applying for the grant.

Ethnocultural Grant Information Session 2 – January 17, 2024

This video contains important information for anyone interested in applying for the grant.

How to apply

Step 1. Watch the videos and read the guidelines

Watch the videos above and download these resources for reference:

Step 2. Create an account

  1. Sign up for a MyAlberta Digital ID Business account (MADI-B) if you do not have one.
  2. Sign in to the grant application page with your MADI-B account ID.
  3. Attach a detailed budget of the project: Budget template
  4. Attach an Application for Electronic Payment form.
  5. Attach a financial statement. Refer to Program Guidelines section 4.1 for details.
  6. Attach reference letters (optional).

Step 3. Submit the application

Read the program guidelines carefully to ensure you include all the necessary information.

Submit your completed application online. Only complete applications will be considered.

After you apply

Applications received by the submission deadline will be screened for eligibility and referred for further evaluation and recommendation for funding.

All applicants will receive written notification of the results of their application. For 2023–24, applicants will be notified of decisions in March 2024.

All decisions are final and no appeals will be considered.

Reporting

When the project is complete, grant recipients will need to submit a final report.

Grant recipients

Successful applicants will be notified and listed on the grants disclosure table.

Contact

Connect with the Ethnocultural Grant Program:
Email: [email protected]