This release was issued under a previous government.

Playground construction

Playground construction

“Investment in Alberta’s non-profit and voluntary sector helps to build strong families and communities and creates new business and employment opportunities. Changes to both CFEP and CIP will help better meet the needs of non-profits by addressing funding gaps, streamlining access and providing clarity to the grants process. For Albertans, these changes mean greater transparency, accountability and effective use of resources, and a greater return on public dollars.”

Ricardo Miranda, Minister of Culture and Tourism

Community Facility Enhancement Program

This program helps support construction and renovation of public-use community facilities. Two distinct grant funding streams have been established.

  • the Small Funding Stream provides a maximum of $125,000 in project support.
  • the new Large Funding Stream will support projects of more than $125,000 to a maximum of $1 million.

Community Initiatives Program

  • A new Major Cultural and Sport Events stream will support national and international events with significant community benefit, such as boosting the local economy and helping tourism grow. A maximum grant of $250,000 will be available to eligible applicants.
  • Funding of the International Development grant stream has been increased to help Alberta-based non-profits involved in international development projects and also to address growing program demand.

“We are pleased the Community Grants program engaged with the non-profit sector to redesign funding programs that will be based on clear principles, well defined outcomes, and enhanced value of volunteerism. It will provide equitable opportunity for the sector.”

Jann Beeston, Executive Director, Volunteer Alberta

Guidelines and applications have been updated to reflect the changes and are available online at: culture.alberta.ca/community/community-grants. The new approach comes into effect on December 15 to allow applicants to fully benefit from the positive changes, such as increased hourly rates for donated labour.

The changes stem from an extensive internal review of the Community Grants program and discussions with non-profit-sector partners and previous grant recipients.

The review highlighted the fact that Community Grants programs provide equitable distribution of funding across the province to help stimulate local economic activity, and that funding programs are flexible, simple, and support community infrastructure.