Heritage Awareness Grants

Apply for a grant to support initiatives that preserve, promote, interpret or add to the knowledge base of Alberta’s history.

Important dates

Overview

The Alberta Historical Resources Foundation is the principal heritage support agency of the Government of Alberta. The Foundation’s Heritage Preservation Partnership Program (HPPP) provides matching grants and scholarship funds to support initiatives that preserve and interpret Alberta's heritage.

For more information, read the HPPP Guidelines for Heritage Awareness Projects.

Funding

Heritage Awareness grants provide matching grants of up to $15,000 for initiatives that interpret or promote awareness of Alberta’s heritage.

Applicants are expected to contribute at least 50% of eligible project value.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants

The following applicants can apply for the grant:

• individuals that reside in Alberta or have a permanent Alberta address
• registered organizations in Alberta:
  • non-profit organizations
  • corporations
  • municipalities
  • churches
  • schools and other educational institutions
  • First Nations
  • Metis Settlements

Ineligible applicants

The following applicants cannot apply for the grant:

• provincial government departments
• members of the Alberta Historical Resources Foundation’s Board of Directors

Eligible projects and expenses

The following projects and expenses can be covered by the grant:

• design, fabrication and installation of heritage markers, plaques, cairns, monuments, interpretive displays
• production of multimedia or participatory projects that will promote awareness of Alberta’s history, such as historical videos, broadcasts, walking tours, plays and heritage component of websites
• delivery of public educational programs that will increase knowledge and understanding of Alberta’s history
• professional development opportunities within the field of heritage preservation such as attendance at workshops, seminars or conferences relating to the preservation and interpretation of historic, archaeological or palaeontological resources
• projects that encourage public involvement in heritage preservation issues and promote knowledge about Alberta's history such as the organization and presentation of local or provincial workshops, seminars, conferences or lectures
• costs associated with cultural protocol such as gifting to Elders and knowledge keepers and organizing sharing circles will be considered at standard Government of Alberta rates

Ineligible projects

The following projects are not eligible for the grant:

• reunions, homecomings, anniversary celebrations and similar events that are not centrally focused on heritage preservation and appreciation
• commemorative markers that contain limited interpretive content
• murals (plaques or markers with historical information related to the mural may be eligible)
• projects that are eligible for funding through the Provincial Heritage Organizations that the Alberta Historical Resources Foundation support (Alberta Museums Association, Archives Society of Alberta, Historical Society of Alberta, Alberta Genealogical Society, Archaeological Society of Alberta)
• projects seeking debt reduction such as repayment of loans or shortfall on completed projects
• projects that have already been funded by the Alberta Historical Resources Foundation

Ineligible expenses

The following expenses are not eligible for the grant

• research or writing phase of the project
• purchase of books, equipment such as cameras, computers and related hardware
• fundraising, administration, time spent preparing grant application, planning or attending meetings, financial reporting and similar activities
• expenses already incurred at the time the application was submitted
• expenses that are not directly and solely for the project such as cost of utilities, use of office equipment and office space
• expenses associated with volunteer appreciation such as gifts, thank you cards (however, honorarium, gifting to Elders and knowledge keepers are eligible)
• hosting expenses (food and beverages), alcoholic beverages
• subsistence costs/living expenses

How to apply

Step 1. Review the guidelines

HPPP Guidelines for Heritage Awareness Projects

Step 2. Contact the program coordinator to check eligibility

Email the Program Coordinator at carina.naranjilla@gov.ab.ca or call 780-431-2305.

Step 3. Complete the application form and gather supporting documents

Fill out the Heritage Awareness Grant Application Form (PDF, 268 KB).

The application form consists of the following:

• project plan
• project budget
• quotes/estimates for proposed work
• other supporting documents listed in the application form

Step 4. Submit your application package

Mail or courier applications and supporting documents to:

Alberta Historical Resources Foundation
Old St. Stephen’s College Building
8820-112 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5T 5W2

Application deadlines are the first working day of February and September.

After you apply

Grant applications are evaluated using a number of factors, including but not limited to:

• project approach and strategy
• experience/qualifications of the project proponents
• project budget

The project must have substantial Alberta heritage content and will be assessed for its ability to interpret and promote Alberta’s heritage.

The level of funding will be further determined by the grant program’s budget, the project’s individual merit and in comparison with the other projects.

Program staff will assess the applications and provide funding recommendations to the board of the Alberta Historical Resources Foundation. The board makes the funding decision.

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

• June/July for the February grant cycle
• December/January for the September grant cycle

How to claim the grant

Grant recipients shall access the grant by submitting full or partial claims. The claim must include proof of expenditures and proof of completed work.

The grant claim will include the following:

• Record of Cash Expenditures form (PDF, 102 KB)
• invoices and/or receipts of cash expenditures
• progress or final report
• proof of project completion such as the photo of the installed heritage marker, copy of the video

Reporting and conditions

Grant recipients have 3 years to claim the grant, complete the project and complete reporting requirements.

Grant recipients must publicly acknowledge the Foundation’s financial support. Recognition may be on print, online, through media outlets or event opportunities.

Contact

To contact the Alberta Historical Resources Foundation’s Heritage Preservation Partnership Program:

Phone: 780-431-2305
Email: carina.naranjilla@gov.ab.ca