Civil Society Fund

Civil Society Fund

Organizations can apply for a one-time grant for projects building civil society’s capacity to support social recovery and inclusive economic participation for Albertans.

Overview

The Civil Society Fund (CSF) provides $20 million over 3 years to expand civil society’s capacity to address social problems facing Albertans.

Civil society includes non-profit and voluntary organizations, registered charities, informal groups or movements pursuing shared interests or values, and private-sector organizations and individuals pursuing social good.

Civil society plays a critical role in the well-being of Albertans and contributes significantly to Alberta’s economy. The intent of the CSF is to support transformational change and improve how civil society organizations function and work together to address pressing social challenges.

CSF funding is one-time only. Funding will not be provided to support the ongoing delivery of social programs and services, or routine operational requirements of organizations.

CSF funding is also time limited. Successful applicants will have 24 months from the date of the grant agreement to complete their grant activities.

Eligible applicants can request up to $500,000 for their project. Proposals may be approved at a lesser amount than what was requested.

Eligibility

Eligible projects

Proposals must demonstrate how the project will support transformational change in civil society, significantly increasing the capacity of civil society to support the social and economic recovery of Albertans.

Organizations applying for funding must also demonstrate that their proposed project aligns with at least one of the following priority areas:

• system infrastructure
• civil society research and data
• organizational transformation
• financial sustainability and resilience

Ineligible projects

While funding may support the design and development of innovative approaches to service delivery, funding will not support projects focused on the ongoing delivery of programs or services.

Operational and administrative costs beyond those related directly to the project will not be funded.

Eligible organizations

To be eligible for the CSF as a primary applicant, all applicants must:

1. be classified as one of the following:

• a registered not-for-profit organization or charity, in good standing, under one of the following acts:
  • Provincial legislation (Alberta):
    • Societies Act
    • Part 21 of the Business Corporations Act – Extra-Provincial Corporations*
    • Companies Act, Part 9 (Not-for-profit companies)
    • Special Act of the Legislature
    • Agricultural Societies Act
    • Religious Societies Land Act, Part 2
    • Post-secondary Learning Act (post-secondary institutions)**
    • Cooperatives Act
  • Federal legislation (Canada)
    • Special Act of Parliament
    • Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act, and must be registered in Alberta under the Business Corporations Act
    • Income Tax Act (and operating in the Province of Alberta (Charities))*
    • Board of Trade Act, Part 2 (Chambers of Commerce)
• a First Nation
• a Metis Settlement, or
• a collaborative – collaboratives or collaborative projects are eligible for funding when the following elements are in place:
  • the applicant organization is a registered nonprofit organization or charity in good-standing under one of the acts referenced above
  • the collaborative’s structure, 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 in Alberta for at least one year
  • financial resources are shared among the collaborative partners

2. have been legally registered and operating in Alberta for a minimum of one full year

*Must have an Alberta-based address that is regularly monitored by an active member of the organization.

**For Rounds 2 and 3, eligibility was expanded to include Alberta post-secondary institutions with research interests or initiatives that can help build civil society capacity in designated priority areas. Post-secondary institution applicants are encouraged to partner with community-based civil society organizations.

Ineligible organizations

The following groups or organizations are ineligible to apply to the CSF as the primary applicant:

• municipalities
• for-profit organizations
• schools or school boards
• organizations not registered under one of the above mentioned acts
• funding agencies or other funders
• organizations that primarily benefit those outside of Alberta
• 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 full year
• individuals

Ineligible organizations may partner with eligible organizations on proposals, if appropriate.

Read the Civil Society Fund Guidelines for full eligibility and criteria information.

How to apply – Round 3

Applications are now closed.

Step 1. Read the Civil Society Fund guidelines

Civil Society Fund Guidelines

Round 3 funding information

Funding for the third round of the CSF (2022-23) supports 41 projects focused on building civil society’s capacity to support the ongoing social recovery and economic participation of Albertans.

See the Civil Society Fund 2022-23 grant recipient list (PDF, 184 KB).

Round 2 funding information

Funding for the second round of the CSF (2021-22) supports 37 projects to help kick-start the economic and social recovery of Albertans.

As part of Alberta’s recovery plan, funded projects will help increase civil society’s capacity to address a range of social and economic issues like food security, homelessness and housing security, unemployment or underemployment, mental health, active citizenship and volunteerism, community inclusion, and domestic, family or sexual violence.

The approved projects reflect the diversity and strength of civil society, and include large and small organizations and collaborations from across Alberta.

See the Civil Society Fund 2021-22 grant recipient list (PDF, 303 KB).

Round 1 funding information

Funding for the first round of the CSF (2020-21) is being provided to 21 civil society organizations across the province. Successful grant recipients are supporting civil society’s recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

See the Civil Society Fund 2020-21 grant recipient list (PDF, 266 KB).

Contact

Connect with Civil Society Fund staff:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-644-2609
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]

Address:
4th floor, Forestry Building
9920 108 Street
Edmonton, Alberta  T5K 2M4