CIP Operating grant

Overview

The Community Initiatives Program (CIP), Operating grant stream supports core operations and capacity building for non-profit organizations whose mission, outcomes, and services makes an impact in one of the following priority areas:

• enhancing the quality of life of Albertans by providing direct programs and services that address social issues
• creating equitable access to human, social and economic resources and services for all Albertans
• supporting community collaborations, involving multiple organizations to address broader human or social issues

For additional program criteria and guidelines, read the: CIP Operating Guidelines.

Grant information sessions

Online Community Initiatives Program Operating Grant information sessions that cover program criteria, notification timelines, answers to frequently asked questions, and tips on submitting your application will be taking place on the dates below.

Please register for an online information session on Eventbrite.

General Program Information

This session will cover the basics of the CIP Operating Grant stream program, including program outcomes and criteria such as organization eligibility and funding priorities.

Budget and Community Fundraising Eligibility Worksheet Session

This session will feature an in-depth conversation and walk-through of the CIP Operating budget and Community Fundraising Worksheet templates.

Funding

The CIP Operating stream is designed to meet the unique and diverse needs of non-profit organizations through 2 levels of funding.

Eligible non-profit organizations may receive up to:

• $60,000 for core funding
  • supports the operations and administration of an organization to further its mission, rather than specific projects
• $15,000 for organizational development funding
  • supports a broad range of activities designed to strengthen the organization

Matching funds

Core funding is approved on a matching basis. The applicant must demonstrate the ability to contribute an amount equal to or exceeding the core funding request. Eligible matching funds include recent non-government-based revenue (fundraising and donations), in-kind goods and services, and volunteer hours for the organization.  All matching funds must be secured prior to the application deadline.

Organizational development funding, up to a maximum of $15,000, does not have to be matched.

For more details about matching funding, read the CIP Operating Guidelines.

Use the CIP Operating Community Fundraising Eligibility Worksheet Template (XLSX, 18 KB) to determine matching eligibility.

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 Community Initiatives Program (CIP) grant streams (Project-Based, Operating, or Major Cultural and Sport Events).
• Capital grant requests can be accessed under CFEP and capital equipment grant requests can be accessed through CIP Project-Based.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants

Organizations must have a primary mission or objective in one of the following areas:

• enhance the quality of life of Albertans by providing direct services and programs that address social issues
• create equitable access to human, social, and economic resources and services for all Albertans
• support community collaborations, involving multiple organizations, in addressing broader human or social issues.

To be eligible for the CIP Operating grant, all applicants must be classified as one of the following:

• a registered community non-profit organization in Alberta (and in good standing) under one of these Acts:
  • Provincial Legislation
    • Societies Act
    • Part 21 of the Business Corporations Act - Extra-Provincial Corporations
    • Part 9 of the Companies Act, (Nonprofit Companies)
    • 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
• a collaborative with the following conditions in place:
  • the applicant organization is a registered non-profit organization, in good-standing, under one of the above mentioned Acts
  • the organizational structure of the collaborative, including the roles and responsibilities of the collaborative partners and the decision making process is clearly documented
  • a multi-year strategic plan with clear goals and priorities is utilized
  • there is a documented history of operating and achieving results in Alberta for at least one year
  • financial resources are shared among the collaborative partners

Organizations must be legally registered and operating in Alberta for at least one year, and must have an Alberta-based address, which must be regularly monitored by an active member of the organization.

Ineligible applicants

The following applicants are not eligible to apply for funding under the CIP Operating stream:

• municipalities
• for-profit organizations
• organizations not registered under one of the above mentioned Acts
• funding agencies or other funders
• organizations that primarily benefit those outside of Alberta
• organizations receiving funding from the Enhanced Capacity Advancement Program
• organizations that have overdue or incomplete accounting/reporting relating to any grant previously awarded by the Government of Alberta
• organizations that are not legally registered and operating in Alberta for one year
• individuals

Eligible expenses

Core eligible expenses may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• wage and salaries for existing staff, including administrative, finance, and program staff like the executive director and administrative staff
• rent
• utilities
• insurance
• advertising, marketing, and communication expenses
• essential travel within Alberta
• office and program supplies
• evaluation, data collection, auditing, and reporting
• other ongoing operating pressures as identified by the applicant

Applicants that are successfully assessed for core funding have access to an additional $15,000 for organizational development activities.

Organizational development funding supports a range of strategic, responsive or innovative actions that strengthen the organization's:

• skills and capacity
• ability to deliver its mission
• ability to increase its long-term sustainability

Ineligible expenses

CIP Operating funding cannot be used for expenses related to:

• events, performances, festivals, celebrations and related costs
• start-up costs
• debt retirement or deficit reduction
• endowment funds
• tours or field trips
• capital or facility improvements
• equipment and furnishings
• land or facility purchase
• vehicles
• scholarships, prizes, gratuities, gifts, individual awards and payments for individual benefit
• expenses incurred prior to application deadline
• costs that are completed prior to the anticipated notification of decision
• expenditures that receive other funding from Culture and Status of Women
• costs that have been covered through other Government of Alberta funded programs for the same purpose
• flow-through funds to another organization
• other expenses deemed ineligible as per the Community Initiatives Program guidelines

How to apply

Step 1. Read the fact sheet and guidelines

• CIP Operating Guidelines

Step 2. Fill out an application package

• CIP Operating Application
• Capacity Assessment Tool (if applicable)
  • Organizational Capacity Assessment Tool
  • Collaborative Capacity Assessment Tool (DOCX, 190 KB)
• CIP Operating Community Fundraising Eligibility Worksheet Template (XLSX, 19 KB)
• CIP Operating Grant Budget Template (XLSX, 14 KB)
• Application for Direct Deposit Form (PDF, 1.2 MB)

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

The board’s president or chair must sign the grant agreement.

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

Step 3. Submit an application

Application packages can be emailed (preferred) to [email protected] or mailed to:

Community Initiatives Program
Operating Grant Stream
Alberta Culture and Status of Women
212, 17205 106A Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta  T5S 1M7

After you apply

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 must complete your financial accounting for the CIP Operating grant (see pages 15 and 16 of the guidelines for further details) using the:

• Final CIP Operating Final Report Form
• June 15, 2020 Intake Final Report Addendum (DOCX, 328 KB)
• Final Report Financial Template (XLSX, 14 KB)

Contact

Connect with the Community Grants office:

Phone: 780-422-9598
Toll free: 1-800-642-3855
Email: [email protected]

Address:
Community Grants Unit
Alberta Culture and Status of Women
Suite 212, 17205 106A Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta  T5S 1M7