Grant and Funding Programs Offered by The Burns Memorial Fund for Children (BMF)

Burns Memorial Fund is a charitable foundation created from the legacy of Senator Patrick Burns to benefit children and youth in Calgary. The organization administers three main funding streams: the Children’s Fund, which is a private charitable foundation supporting low-income families and charitable organizations working with children, and the Police and Fire Funds, which are non-profit trusts focused on the children of Calgary police officers and firefighters. Through these funds, Burns Memorial Fund deploys financial support across education, health and overall well-being.

The foundation offers multiple grant and bursary programs including a High School Bursary Program providing living allowances for low-income students close to graduation, scholarships such as the Senator Patrick Burns Legacy Scholarship and the Inspiring Futures Scholarship, an Oral Health Program for urgent dental care, and the Families Moving Forward program delivered via partner agencies. It also manages the Watson Family Foundation Fund for children with special needs and various education and employment bursaries for young adults.

Beyond individual assistance, Burns Memorial Fund operates a Community Grants program for non-profit and charitable organizations operating in Calgary. These grants, typically up to a stated maximum per year, fund one-time expenses such as equipment, technology upgrades, staff training, pilot projects, workshops and other initiatives that promote the healthy development of children and youth from low-income families. Organizations apply through a structured process with clear eligibility criteria, deadlines, and downloadable application forms, and successful recipients are publicly acknowledged.

Funding from Burns Memorial Fund is focused on children and youth under 21 years of age who are living in low-income situations in Calgary, including the children of serving, retired or deceased members of the Calgary Police Service and Calgary Fire Department. Thematic priorities include educational attainment (high school completion and access to post-secondary studies), health and oral health, support for families experiencing poverty or settlement challenges, and accommodations for severe learning disabilities and other special needs.

The Fund publishes annual reports and audited financial statements, providing transparency on its financial stewardship and grantmaking. Applications for most programs are evaluated based on eligibility, financial need and alignment with program goals, and many programs have defined maximum amounts, duration limits and age thresholds. Burns Memorial Fund also collaborates with broader community initiatives such as All in for Youth, the Collaborative Funders’ Table and Enough for All, and in some cases distributes funds on behalf of collaborative funders. This positions the organization as both a direct grantmaker and a partner in systemic efforts to improve outcomes for vulnerable children and youth in Calgary.