By Chris Brown

Alberta government announces new community grant funding

Feb 21, 2023 | 2:07 PM

The provincial government is providing more grant money to help build strong and vibrant communities.

More than $38 million will flow through two separate programs aimed at enhancing public facilities and community-based social programs.

Through the Community Facility Enhancement Program, $31.3 million will help upgrade or build 226 public-use facilities across Alberta. These facilities include local food banks, recreation centres, animal shelters, parks and other non-profit facilities.

Through the Community Initiatives Program, $7 million will be provided to 278 non-profit organizations to help deliver programs and projects that create local jobs, support social causes, recreation and culture activities, and create opportunities for Albertans to engage with their communities.

“Every day, community and non-profit groups make a difference in the lives of Alberta families, and I am so pleased that our government has the ability to support their work,” says Premier Danielle Smith in a news release. “These community grants are important for their ability to offer safe spaces and quality programming to Albertans of all ages for years to come.”

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According to the province, the Community Facility Enhancement Program provides matching funding to help non-profits upgrade, redevelop, purchase or build public-use facilities. The program’s large grant stream funds projects between $125,000 and $1 million, and the small grant stream funds projects up to $125,000. Public-use facilities include community halls, recreation facilities, parks and playgrounds, natural areas, sports fields and food banks.

Qualifying projects demonstrate positive community impact, economic benefits, community need, project readiness and organizational sustainability.

As for the Community Initiatives Program, project-based funding can go to project needs such as new programming and event-hosting costs, commercial-use vehicle purchases, website development, technology enhancements and marketing. Qualifying projects must address an immediate community-identified need and demonstrate broad community involvement and impact on diverse groups. Projects are also prioritized for funding based on:

• project viability and organizational sustainability
• project readiness
• economic benefits to the community

Operating grants through the Community Initiatives Program support non-profits working to deliver services to vulnerable and disadvantaged Albertans. To qualify, organizations must have a primary mission or objective in:

• Providing direct services and programs that address social issues for vulnerable, disadvantaged and at-risk populations.
• Creating equitable access to human, social and economic resources and services for all Albertans.
• Supporting community collaborations in addressing broader human or social issues.