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Update
The Crowdfunding Alberta program is no longer accepting new campaigns. Campaigns already approved have 8 weeks from the approval/launch date to fundraise and will remain eligible for match funding up to $5,000.
Program eligibility criteria for match funding still applies to these campaigns.
Overview
Crowdfunding Alberta is a made-for-Alberta crowdfunding platform that enables non-profit organizations to create fundraising campaigns and invite supporters to donate and share on social media. Organizations may receive up to $5,000 annually in match funding from the Government of Alberta.
Video tutorial
Watch the video for a quick overview of the Crowdfunding Alberta program.
Match funding
The Alberta government will match 50% of funds raised, up to $5,000 annually, to eligible non-profit organizations. Match funding eligibility is assessed automatically and transferred through electronic funds (EFT) to eligible organizations.
Match funding eligibility criteria
Organizations must meet the following criteria to be eligible for match funding:
- Raise at least $2,000 within 8-weeks of launching their campaign.
- Receive donations from at least 5 individuals.
- Raise funds through cash contributions received, exclusively, on the platform – assets and in-kind donations are not accepted.
- Raise funds to provide programs or services for the benefit of Alberta-based communities – campaigns in the name of, or for the benefit of a specific individual will not be eligible for match funding.
- Raise funds for one of the following costs expected within 18 months of launching your campaign:
- operating
- capital and equipment
- programming
- staff training
- wages and benefits
- research and development
Eligibility criteria
To participate in Crowdfunding Alberta, organizations must:
- operate in Alberta
- have up-to-date accounting and reporting related to any grant previously awarded by the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Status of Women, or the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, or both
- be registered for a period of one year and in active standing under one of these acts:
Provincial legislation
- Part 21 of the Business Corporations Act - Extra-Provincial Corporations
- Companies Act, Part 9 (Non-profit Companies)
- Societies Act of Alberta
- Agriculture Societies Act
- Special Act of the Alberta Legislature
Federal legislation
- Special Act of the Parliament of Canada
- Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act, and registered in Alberta under the Business Corporations Act
- Income Tax Act (of Canada and operating in the Province of Alberta (Charities))
Read the Crowdfunding Alberta fact sheet for complete match funding and program eligibility information.
Ineligible organizations
The following entities are not eligible to use the Crowdfunding Alberta platform:
- hospitals
- co-operatives
- politically affiliated organizations
- municipalities, First Nations and Metis Settlements
- commercial and for-profit organizations
- schools or school boards
- post-secondary institutions
- individuals
Processing fees
Payment processing fees
The Government of Alberta is not involved in donation transactions. All donations are processed through third party payment processors, Stripe or Paypal, and issued directly from the donor to the organization.
Go to Stripe or PayPal for more information
Platform fees
In addition to payment processing fees, there may also be fees for using the crowdfunding platform. The platform fees range from 0% to 5% payable to our platform provider, ConnectionPoint Systems Inc. ConnectionPoint Systems Inc. offers 3 payment models for your organization to choose from:
- Optional Tips
- Fee Recovery
- Flat Rate
Optional Tips model
Under the complimentary plan, non-profit organizations are exempt from paying any platform fees. Instead, when donors proceed to checkout, they are given the choice to enhance their donation with an optional tip. Donors have the option to decline the tip by selecting "change amount" beneath their tip amount.
Fee Recovery model
With the fee recovery model, non-profits pay a platform transaction fee of 5% to ConnectionPoint. During the checkout process, donors are asked if they are willing to pay all the payment processing and platform fees on behalf of the non-profit organization.
Flat Rate model
With the flat rate model, non-profits pay a platform transaction fee of 5% to ConnectionPoint. This model is most often used when the non-profit has a government partner, corporate sponsor, major donor, or endowment who is willing to pay the fees on behalf of the non-profit organization and allow them to say, “100% of each donation goes to our work.”
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Campaign approval
Campaigns are reviewed and approved on a case-by-case basis. Submissions are reviewed within 3 government-business days of receipt. Campaign submissions that are incomplete or include incorrect information may take longer to review. Your organization will be notified by email once a decision has been reached.
Approved campaigns will be live on the Crowdfunding Alberta platform and ready to share with your networks. Your 8-week timeline to earn match funding begins automatically as soon as your campaign is approved.
Learning resources
How-to guides
View the following resources for guidance on various processes to help make the most of Crowdfunding Alberta, quickly and simply.
Webinars
There are a variety of Crowdfunding Alberta webinars to help non-profit organizations learn how to create and promote campaigns.
Newsletters
Subscribe to Community Development Unit’s newsletter for upcoming webinars and news.
Success stories
View previous campaigns that received government match funding.
Contact
Technical support
Connect with a Customer Care Representative through the platform’s chat feature or email us to request support:
Email: [email protected]
Program inquiries
Connect with us about general program information:
Email: [email protected]
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Crowdfunding Alberta platform