Alberta Culture Days Grant

Important dates

Program changes

The Alberta Culture Days grant application and final report process has changed. Applications are now only accepted through the secure online application portal called GATE Front Office. 

See the updated application process below.

Overview

Alberta Culture Days funding assistance is designed to support Alberta Culture Days activities, events and promotions that engage public participation and inspire future involvement.

Alberta Culture Days takes place throughout September, making it easier for community organizations to host online or in-person events.

If you require any assistance, contact us at 587-982-1386 or email us at [email protected].

Alberta Culture Days celebration sites must:

• provide culturally-related programming during the month of September:
  • Feature Sites – at least 3 days during September and funding available up to $10,000
  • Host Sites – at least 2 days during September and funding available up to $5,000
  • Pop Up Sites – at least 1 day during September and funding available up to $1,000
• ensure that all events and activities funded through the Celebration Site grant are free
• provide a budget outlining estimated revenues (including in-kind and leveraged funds) and expenses
• provide an outline as to how you are going to market your event

Note: funding for a successful Feature Celebration Site will only be granted once every 2 years.

Eligible applicants

The following organizations are eligible to apply for funding:

Community nonprofit organizations who are registered (and in good standing) under one of the following Acts:

• provincial legislation (Alberta)
  • Agricultural Societies Act
  • Part 21 of the Business Corporations Act- Extra-Provincial Corporations*
  • Companies Act, Part 9 (Nonprofit Companies)
  • Libraries Act
  • Societies Act of Alberta
  • Special Act of the Alberta Legislature
• federal legislation
  • Special Act of the Parliament of Canada
  • Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act and must be registered in Alberta under the Business Corporations Act*
  • Income Tax Act (of Canada and operating in the Province of Alberta (Charities))
• First Nation or Metis Settlement in Alberta
• a university, college, or institute as defined under Alberta’s Post-Secondary Learning Act

*Must have an Alberta-based address which must be regularly monitored by an active member of the organization.

Ineligible applicants

Municipalities are not eligible for funding but are encouraged to partner with an organization which meets the above criteria. The organization who meets the criteria will then act as the fiscal agent for the grant.

Eligible expenses

Selected applicants must allocate funding in one or more of the categories listed below:

• artists fees, workshop fees, performance fees – funds can only be used to compensate Albertan artists
• event and workshop materials – for example: paint brushes, paper, costume rentals, etc.
• marketing and communications – for example: newspaper ads, graphic design fees, etc.
• volunteer expenses – for example: t-shirts (for identification purposes only), refreshments while working at the event, etc.
• food and beverage – note: alcoholic beverages and bar services are not eligible
• honorariums, wages and contract wages agreements with cultural workers and artists who are not already employed as staff by the applicant organization – for example: ushers, stage managers, technicians, etc.
• technology costs – for example: Zoom, WebEx, audio and visual technician services
• equipment rental – for example: lighting, sound
• venue rental – for example: any identified programming space
• equipment rental – for example: lighting, sound, etc.

How to apply

Before you begin

We only accept applications through the Grant Administration Tracking and Evaluation (GATE) Front Office online application system.

• Download and follow the Gate Front Office User Guide to help you navigate the system.

Step 1. Review the Grant Guidelines

• Alberta Culture Days Grant Program Guidelines

Step 2. GATE Front Office username registration

First-time applicants will require a GATE Front Office username and password. Requests must be received at least 5 business days prior to the application deadline.

• Complete the GATE Front Office Registration form and email it as an attachment to [email protected]. For help, read the GATE Front Office User Guide.

GATE Front Office usernames and passwords will be sent to the email addresses provide on the registration form.

Step 3. Complete GATE Front Office online forms

GATE Front Office online forms

• applicant contact information, including street and mailing address
• contact list, including primary and secondary contact persons and signing authority designate for the application
• the organization’s registration details, including organization’s registered name, Alberta Registration number and incorporation date
• an applicant agreement with e-signature of signing authority designate for the organization

Step 4. Prepare supporting documents to upload in GATE Front Office for your application.

• signed Applicant Agreement – must be signed by the board president, chairperson or treasurer
• letters of support
• source of estimates and descriptions of activity costs
• a confirmation of filing of the organization's most recent annual return from Alberta Corporate Registry
• detailed project description:
  • Indicate if your site will be a 'Feature Celebration Site' (3-day event), 'Host Celebration Site' (2-day event), or 'Pop Up Celebration Site' (1-day event).
  • Feature Celebration Site applicants must indicate if they would like to be considered as Host Celebration Site if not chosen as a Feature Celebration Site.
  • An outline of how your are going to market your event.
• a listing of Culture Days activities and events identifying the proposed activities and events that are being planned along with the proposed time of each event

Step 5. Electronic transfer funds

It is strongly encouraged that all applicants receive payment by electronic transfer funds (ETF).  This method ensures that funds are received in a timely manner.  

Complete the Application for Electronic Payment and return it by email to [email protected]

Important

We must receive your online application through GATE Front Office no later than 11:59 pm on the deadline date, unless the deadline falls on a statutory holiday or a weekend when it will be extended until the next working day. Give the system time to process your application so that we receive notification of your submission before the deadline falls. Applications received after 11:59 pm of the deadline date will be considered ineligible. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Financial reporting and requirements

You are required to complete and submit a satisfactory final report in GATE Front Office that demonstrates that funding awarded was spent on the activities described in the application.

Your organization’s final report is due November 1. We must receive your online report through GATE Front Office no later than 11:59 pm, unless the deadline falls on a statutory holiday or a weekend when it will be extended until 11:59 pm on the next working day. Give the system time to process your application so we receive notification of your submission before the deadline falls.

• Recipients must provide access, upon request, to the Minister or Minister’s representative, or auditors engaged by the Minister, to all financial documents or records relative to all expenses and revenues related to the project including the program grant funding as set out in the agreement.
• Records should be kept for 7 years from the date of the notification letter of file closure from program staff.
• Any recipient that does not comply with the reporting requirements will be ineligible to receive additional funding until an acceptable report is provided.

Contact

Connect with Alberta Culture Days:

Phone: 587-982-1386
Email: [email protected]

Address:
Alberta Culture Days
905, 10405 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 4R7

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