Heritage Awareness Grants

Important dates

There is one grant application intake per year. The deadline is the first working day of February.

Applicants are notified of grant decisions in April or May.

Successful applicants receive the full amount of their grant upon initiation of their project, and have until February 28 of the following year to complete their project and submit reporting requirements. GST expenses are no longer funded.

Overview

The 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 Guidelines for Heritage Awareness, Publication and Research Grants (PDF, 455 KB).

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 the total eligible project cost.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants

The following applicants may 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

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 attending workshops, seminars or conferences related 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 protocols 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 and applicants that are eligible for funding through the Provincial Heritage Organizations that the Alberta government supports (Alberta Museums Association, Archives Society of Alberta, Historical Society of Alberta, Alberta Genealogical Society, Archaeological Society of Alberta, Francophone Historical Society)
projects seeking debt reduction such as repayment of loans or shortfall on completed projects
projects that have already been funded by the Alberta government

Ineligible expenses/tasks

The following 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, grant application preparation, 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

In-kind contributions associated with ineligible expenses/tasks are not eligible as well.

How to apply

Step 1. Review the guidelines

Guidelines for Heritage Awareness, Publication and Research Grants (PDF, 455 KB)

Step 2. Contact the program coordinator for more information

Email the Program Coordinator at [email protected] or call 780-431-2305.

Step 3. Complete the application form and gather supporting documents

Fill out the Heritage Awareness, Publication and Research Grant Application Form (PDF, 367 KB).

When preparing the budget, you may use the template for Cash Costs (XLS, 13 KB) and In-kind Costs (XLS, 13 KB) (Donated Labour, Materials, Services, Equipment) .

The application must include the following:

project plan
project budget
quotes/estimates for major cash costs
interpretive content/materials of the heritage awareness project as described on the application form
other supporting documents listed in the application form

Step 4. Submit your application package

Drop off, mail, send by courier, or email your application to:

Heritage Preservation Partnership Program
Old St. Stephen’s College Building
8820 112 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2P8
[email protected]

Application deadline is the first working day of February.

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 determined by the grant program’s budget, the project’s individual merit and its value in comparison to other applications.

Applicants will be notified of the funding decisions in April or May.

Grant payments

Successful applicants will receive the full amount of their grant upon initiation of their project.

Reporting and grant conditions

Grants will be administered according to the terms and conditions outlined in the Funding Agreement (part of the application form) and the grant award letter.

Grant recipients have until February 28 of the following year to complete their project and submit reporting requirements. The report will include:

Record of Project Expenses form (PDF, 149 KB) listing the cash expenses and donated labour, materials, services or equipment for the entire project
project outcomes
proof of project completion such as the photo of the installed heritage marker (as stated on the grant approval letter)
how the Alberta government’s financial support is publicly acknowledged