Important dates

Annual application deadlines:

  • January 15
  • May 15
  • September 15

Projects must be completed within 18 months from the date the grant cheque is received.

Overview

The Community Initiatives Program (CIP), Project-Based grant stream supports projects that enhance and enrich communities throughout Alberta by providing assistance to non-profit organizations for:

  • new programs and initiatives
  • community events
  • community publications

For more information, read the CIP Project-Based Guidelines (PDF, 173 KB).

Funding

The maximum funding available is $75,000.

CIP Project-Based funding is approved on a matching basis. The applicant must contribute towards the expenses of the project an equal or greater amount than the CIP Project-Based 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 Project-Based Guidelines (PDF, 173 KB).

Organizations may be considered for up to $10,000 in CIP funding without providing matching funding.

Multiple applications.

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

  • Non-capital grant requests can be accessed through any one of the Community Initiatives Program (CIP) grant streams (Project-Based, Operating, International Development 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

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

a registered community non-profit organization in Alberta (and in good standing) under one of these Acts:

  • Provincial Legislation
    • Agriculture Societies Act
    • Part 21 of the Business Corporations Act - Extra-Provincial Corporations
    • Cemeteries Act or Cemetery Companies Act
    • Part 9 of the Companies Act, (Nonprofit Companies)
    • Libraries Act
    • School Act
    • Societies Act
    • 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 Métis 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

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

Ineligible applicants

The following organizations are not eligible to apply for funding under the CIP Project-Based Grant:

  • 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 and Tourism
  • individuals

Eligible projects and expenses

Eligible projects and expenses for this grant include, but are not limited to:

  • installation of equipment or technology
  • new community initiatives (new programs, organizational start-up, prototyping, pilot projects)
  • hosting of a community event (festivals, symposiums, workshops)
  • technology (website design, computers, software)
  • production costs (plays, books, films, exhibits)
  • equipment (furniture, team sports equipment, licensed vehicles)

You can start your project any time after the application has been received.

Ineligible projects

Projects that are not eligible for funding include, but are not limited to:

  • private or commercial sector projects or programs
  • construction and renovation projects
  • core/essential municipal, provincial, federal projects or programs and services which are the responsibility of the governing body
  • projects that are linked to the delivery of core education, health and wellness, and social services programs
  • outdoor spaces (such as playgrounds, skateparks, climbing walls, outdoor fitness equipment, or outdoor classrooms)
  • travel projects
  • debt reduction

Ineligible expenses

  • moving expenses
  • endowments, donations or bursaries
  • expenses incurred before submitting your application

For more details, see the CIP Project-Based Guidelines (PDF, 173 KB).

How to apply

Step 1. Fill out the application package

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 2. Submit the application package

CIP Project-Based application packages can be emailed to LFP.application@gov.ab.ca or mailed to:
Community Initiatives Program Project-Based
Alberta Culture and Tourism
Suite 212, 17205 – 106A Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta  T5S 1M7

After you apply

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

  • July  (January 15 deadline)
  • November (May 15 deadline)
  • March (September 15 deadline)

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

If your application was declined, you can submit a new application for the same project as long as the expenses are not considered retroactive as of the submission date the new application.

Contact program staff if there are any budget-related changes to your project, or if your project is postponed.

Reporting requirements

CIP Project-Based accounting is due 18 months from the date of the cheque, unless a written approval for an extension has been granted.

You must complete your financial accounting for the project using the Final CIP Accountability Report (FCAR) (PDF, 122 KB) and include backup documentation as specified by CIP Project-Based.
Please contact Community Grants staff about reporting requirements or project completion issues.

Previous grant recipients

You can find previous grant recipients in the Previous Grant Recipients Database.

Contact

To connect with the Community Grants office:

Phone: 780-422-9598
Toll free: 1-800-642-3855
Email: LFP.application@gov.ab.ca

Address:
Community Initiatives Program Project-Based
Alberta Culture and Tourism
212, 17205 106A Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta  T5S 1M7