CIP Major Cultural and Sport Events grant

Important dates

Overview

The Community Initiatives Program (CIP), Major Cultural and Sport Events (MCSE) funding stream is intended to streamline processes and maximize limited funding for organizations applying through multiple sources within Alberta Culture.

These sources include, but are not limited to:

• Alberta Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation
• Tourism and Recreation
• Alberta Foundation for the Arts

You must contact program staff prior to submitting an application to MCSE

MCSE grant stream will consider the following type of events:

• Sport
  • focus is on national or international amateur sport events sanctioned by national sport organizations or international federations
    • non-sanctioned events can apply for grant support through the Community Initiatives Program Project-Based funding stream
  • this includes national and world championships and world cup events
  • examples include: World Cup Downhill Men’s Skiing, Scottie’s Tournament of Hearts Curling
• Cultural
  • focus is on national or international cultural events that are recognized by the respective governing body
  • examples include: JUNO Awards, Canadian Country Music Awards

Only sanctioned events are eligible for this grant. Sanctioned events are those that have been awarded/approved by the legally recognized governing body that is responsible for administering the event. The sport must be part of a national or international major multi-sport games program in order to be eligible.

For more information, read the CIP Major Cultural and Sport Events Guidelines.

Funding

The maximum funding available is $250,000. However, additional funding may be requested. Successful recipients must enter into a formal grant agreement.

MCSE funding is approved on a matching basis. The applicant must contribute towards the expenses of the project an equal or greater amount than the MCSE grant request. The matching funding may be in the form of cash or donated labour, equipment or materials, all of which must be directly related to the project. For more details about matching funding, read the CIP Major Cultural and Sport Events Guidelines.

Multiple applications

Organizations can apply for one capital and one non-capital grant per government fiscal year (April 1 to March 31).

• Non-capital grant requests can be accessed through any one of the CIP grant streams (Project-Based, Operating, International Development or MCSE). Organizations applying to the CIP MCSE program may submit applications for multiple events through this stream in the same fiscal year. Each event must be submitted on a separate application form.
• Capital grant requests can be accessed under the Community Facility Enhancement Program and capital equipment grant requests can be accessed through CIP Project-Based.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants

The following organizations and community non-profit organizations can apply for this program:

• organizations registered (and in good standing) under one of these acts:
  • Provincial Legislation
    • Agricultural Societies Act
    • Part 21 of the Business Corporations Act
    • Companies Act, Part 9 (Nonprofit Companies)
    • 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 Nations and Metis Settlements
• foundations established and regulated under the province’s Regional Health Authorities Act
• universities, colleges and institutes as defined under Alberta’s Post-secondary Learning Act

Ineligible applicants

The following organizations are not eligible to apply for funding under CIP Major Cultural and Sport Events:

• municipalities
• for-profit organizations
• any other organizations not registered under one of the above mentioned acts
• organizations that have overdue or incomplete accounting or reporting relating to any grant previously awarded by Alberta Culture
• individuals

Eligible events and expenses

Funding is available to help organizations plan and host a single cultural or sport event that is either national or international in its scope and is open to the public.

Ineligible events

Events that are not eligible for funding include:

• events that are still in the bidding process
• events that are being organized or delivered by for-profit organizations
• events where the Government of Alberta is being asked to assume or underwrite any contingent or other liability such as deficit or revenue and rights fee guarantee
• professional events
• local sport and cultural events or festivals that draw the majority of participants and spectators from a local or regional area
• international or national conferences, congresses, symposiums, or annual general meetings
• sport development/training camps.
• provincial or interprovincial championships
• multi-sport games
• elementary, junior high, and high school sport championships

Ineligible expenses

Funding cannot be used for the following expenses:

• time and labour provided towards preparation of funding applications, committee planning meetings, fundraising and similar activities not related directly to the delivery of the event
• endowments, charitable donations, fundraising campaigns, developing a business case or proposal for funding, donor recognition or walls, gifts (volunteer recognition)
• capital expenditures, including any construction, upgrading, maintenance, or operating costs to facilities to stage cultural or sport events
• expenditures for which other grant dollars have been allocated
• prize monies
• alcohol
• domestic or international bid costs
• appearance fees for athletes
• any costs for gifts, gratuities, honoraria, or other items of personal benefit
• any costs that exceed the Government of Alberta’s Travel, Meal and Hospitality Expenses Policy
• retroactive expenses incurred prior to submission date
• other expenses deemed ineligible as per CIP guidelines

How to apply

Step 1. Contact program staff

You must contact program staff prior to submitting an application to MCSE.

Phone: 780-422-9598 Edmonton
Toll free: 1-800-642-3855

Step 2. Fill out the application package

• CIP Major Cultural and Sport Events Application Form (DOCX, 281 KB)
• Project Budget Template (XLSX, 17 KB)
• Application for EFT Direct Deposit (PDF, 739 KB)

Applications are also available through the Community Grants office. Contact the office for more information.

Keep a complete copy of your application as you may be contacted if further information or clarification is required.

Step 3. Submit the application package

Application packages can be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to:
Major Cultural and Sport Events
Suite 212, 17205 106A Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta  T5S 1M7

After you apply

Applicants will be notified about the results during the following times:

• December (October 1 deadline)

All decisions on grant applications are final, and no appeals will be considered.

Specific terms and conditions of the grant are provided once approved.

Reporting requirements

You will need to submit reporting as per signed formal grant agreement, which will include:

• a summary report that includes:
  • a detailed description of the completed project
  • the benefits of the completed project
  • a description of communication opportunities provided for the Government of Alberta
• a review engagement report, prepared by a certified public accountant licensed to practice in Alberta and accompanying financial statement relating to the completed project

Contact

Connect with the Community Grants office:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-422-9598
Toll free: 1-800-642-3855
Email: [email protected] – Inquiries only

Email: [email protected] – Applications only