Role of the Field Law Community Fund Program in the funding ecosystem
The Field Law Community Fund Program is a corporate community investment initiative created by Field LLP, a law firm serving Alberta and the Northwest Territories. The Program channels firm resources into grants for grassroots ideas that have a measurable, positive impact in local communities. Since its launch, it has supported over 180 projects with a cumulative total of about $1,000,000 in funding.
Each year, a defined funding envelope is made available across several "Community Markets": Northern Alberta, Southern Alberta and the Northwest Territories. Recent program cycles have allocated approximately $85,000 in total, with specific envelopes per region and a dedicated amount for a student-focused Next Gen Award. Funding is directed to new, well-defined projects rather than ongoing operating or overhead expenses.
Supported audiences and themes
The Program prioritizes ideas that improve quality of life and community well-being. Preferred causes include education, healthcare, at-risk youth, homelessness, diversity and equality initiatives, women’s organizations, community and amateur sports, and arts and culture. Funded projects have ranged from legal literacy workshops and financial education initiatives to recreation and arts programming, youth engagement, animal welfare and projects strengthening vulnerable groups.
Individuals, informal groups and organizations — including both registered and non-registered charities — can apply, provided they are based in the eligible markets in Alberta or the Northwest Territories. A public online voting component helps surface community priorities, while local judging panels composed of Field Law representatives and community members make the final allocation decisions.
General application and evaluation approach
Applicants submit an "Idea" through an online portal, clearly explaining the project, who it will benefit, the minimum amount of funding required and how the funds will be managed. Projects must be new, self-contained initiatives with a clear budget and timeline, and must demonstrate a strong "pay-it-forward" or ripple effect in the community. The Program provides guidance and tips to help applicants refine their proposals, such as being realistic in budget requests, focusing on project rather than operational costs, and articulating impact in concrete terms.
Evaluation criteria used by the Community Market Judging Panels include community impact, alignment with preferred sectors, clarity and feasibility of the idea, originality, and whether the funding will be used directly for new community initiatives. Online vote counts are considered alongside these qualitative criteria, but final decisions rest with the panels. In addition to regional awards, the Next Gen Award offers a fixed amount to a post-secondary student or student group for a campus or community project that emphasizes innovation, sustainability and equity, diversity and inclusion.
Transparency and impact
The Program publishes winners and impact stories on its website, highlighting how awarded funds have translated into real-world outcomes, such as expanded access to legal literacy, cycling programs, school-based initiatives and health and wellness projects. This emphasis on storytelling and ongoing updates encourages recipients to share photos, results and lessons learned, contributing to broader community learning about effective grassroots initiatives.
