Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Edmonton Heritage Council (EHC)

Edmonton Heritage Council (EHC) is a non-profit organization created to strengthen the heritage ecosystem in Edmonton, on Treaty 6 Territory. Since 2009 it has helped residents explore, preserve, and celebrate their shared heritage through community partnerships, dedicated initiatives, and a robust portfolio of grant programs. EHC’s mission is to connect people to the stories of their city by supporting research, preservation, interpretation, and advocacy related to Edmonton’s history and living traditions.

EHC serves as a key implementation partner for Connections & Exchanges, Edmonton’s 10‑year arts and heritage plan. Working closely with the City of Edmonton and community stakeholders, it supports museums, archives, heritage organizations, and individual practitioners, while centring equity, inclusion, and Truth and Reconciliation in all of its programs.

The Council administers several structured grant streams. The Heritage Community Investment Program (HCIP) offers multiple components: Heritage Project Grants for public-facing heritage projects; Research & Development Grants for planning, research, and early development; Career Development Grants that help individual heritage practitioners build skills through training and conferences; and Operational Grants that provide limited core funding to museums, archives, and other heritage organizations to increase their capacity.

In addition, the Funding Indigenous Resurgence in Edmonton (FIRE) program provides impact grants to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit individuals, collectives, and organizations. FIRE supports heritage-based projects such as research, writing, art, cultural programming, ceremonies, language initiatives, camps, and workshops that revitalize Indigenous heritage and culture in and around Edmonton.

Applications for EHC grants are submitted through an online Grants Portal. Eligibility varies by stream, but typically includes non-profit organizations, registered charities, and individuals working on Edmonton-focused heritage projects. Proposals are reviewed by peer panels of heritage and community experts, with Indigenous-led review processes guiding FIRE decisions. Assessment centres on project impact, feasibility, and alignment with program goals and EHC’s broader values of equity, inclusion, and community engagement.

EHC does more than distribute funds: staff provide one-on-one guidance, information sessions, and written resources such as detailed guidelines, budget templates, and grant-writing tips. Grantees are expected to acknowledge EHC support, keep the organization informed of key milestones, and submit final reports documenting outcomes and financial accountability.

Through HCIP and FIRE, EHC invests nearly one million dollars annually in Edmonton’s heritage sector. Funded recipients range from established institutions—museums, archives, historical societies—to emerging community initiatives, grassroots groups, and individual heritage practitioners. Projects span oral history, exhibitions, digital storytelling, language revitalization, festivals, research publications, and land-based cultural programs, all aimed at making Edmonton’s heritage more inclusive and representative.

By pairing financial support with mentorship and sector leadership, Edmonton Heritage Council plays a central role in ensuring that the diverse peoples who call Edmonton and Treaty 6 home see their experiences reflected in the city’s stories, now and into the future.