
Active Communities Initiative
Last Update: July 22, 2025
AB, Canada
Supports developing and improving public community sport and recreation facilities
At a glance
Eligible Funding
- From $50,000 to $1,500,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Unspecified
Financing Type
Grant and Funding
Eligible Industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
Funds Providers
Unspecified
Program status
Open
Overview
The Active Communities Initiative provides grants of up to $1,500,000 to support the retrofit, renewal, expansion, or construction of small to medium-sized public-use community sport and recreation facilities in Alberta. Eligible activities include building new facilities or improving existing ones to enhance sport, physical activity, and recreation opportunities.
Financing terms and conditions
- Grant funding available between $50,000 and $1,500,000 per project.
- Government of Alberta funding cannot exceed 50% of the total project cost.
Activities funded
- Construction of new small to medium-sized public-use community sport and recreation facilities.
- Retrofit, renewal, or renovation of existing public-use community sport and recreation facilities.
- Expansion of existing public-use community sport and recreation facilities to increase access or programming.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 48,000
Implementing e-commerce platform for local artists’ craft sales
$ 80,000
Expanding daycare capacity with new educational materials and furniture
$ 89,000
Automating order fulfillment for regional specialty food producers
$ 60,000
Launching digital learning tools for adult newcomer employment training
$ 95,000
Renovating shared commercial kitchen for improved accessibility and hygiene
$ 76,500
Upgrading renewable energy system at urban food co-op grocery store
Eligibility
- The applicant must be a First Nation or Metis Settlement, or a registered organization in good standing for more than two years under specified provincial or federal legislation (such as the Societies Act of Alberta, Agriculture Societies Act, or as a registered charity operating in Alberta).
- The applicant must currently operate, or plan to operate, the public-use community sport and recreation facility for which funding is being sought.
- If operating but not owning the facility, the applicant must hold an executed lease or sub-lease with a minimum five-year term.
- The project must focus on retrofitting, renewing, expanding, or building new small to medium-sized public-use community sport and recreation facilities, with the primary goal of increasing sport, physical activity, and recreation.
Who is eligible?
- First Nations organizations
- Metis Settlements
- Non-profit societies registered under the Societies Act of Alberta
- Non-profit companies registered under Part 9 of the Companies Act
- Organizations established under a Special Act of the Alberta Legislature or the Parliament of Canada and operating in Alberta
- Registered charities operating in Alberta
- Extra-provincial corporations operating in Alberta under Part 21 of the Business Corporations Act
- Agricultural societies registered under the Agriculture Societies Act
Who is not eligible
- For-profit organizations
- Municipalities
- Individuals
- Public or private schools, including K-12 and post-secondary institutions
- Non-profit organizations that primarily support private sector interests or do not provide public access to sport facilities, programs, or services
Eligible expenses
- All expenses directly related to the construction, retrofit, renewal, or expansion of public-use community sport and recreation facilities, as outlined in the project plan and supported by third-party cost estimates.
- Equipment and non-fixed assets that are integral to the project (e.g., net equipment for courts).
- Professional project cost estimates and related budget documentation.
- Value-In-Kind (VIK) contributions such as donated labour, equipment, or materials directly associated with the project.
Eligible geographic areas
- Organizations operating in the Province of Alberta
Selection criteria
- Demonstrated financial viability and self-sufficiency of the applicant organization, including operational experience and ability to maintain the facility.
- Strength of project management resources, both internal and external to the organization.
- Availability and documentation of matching contributions from non-government sources.
- Quality of community and market assessment, including evidence of demand and community consultation.
- Degree of strategic alignment with Government of Alberta and relevant municipal priorities.
How to apply
- Step 1: Review Program Guidelines
- Download and thoroughly read the Active Communities Initiative Guidelines from the official ACI website.
- Step 2: Confirm Eligibility
- Assess your organization and project against the eligibility requirements as outlined in the guidelines.
- Step 3: Download and Prepare Application Materials
- Download the ACI Workbook from the ACI website.
- Gather all required business case materials, including those listed in section 3.6 of the guidelines (e.g., board motion, audited financial statements, owner/lease permissions, budget estimates).
- Step 4: Complete Documentation
- Fill out the ACI Workbook with all requested project and organizational information.
- Assemble the business case and supporting documentation into a single PDF, including a table of contents and sub-sections as required.
- Step 5: Submit Application
- Go to the ACI website and access the online submission form.
- Upload the completed ACI Workbook and Business Case PDF through the form before the application deadline.
- Step 6: Await Review and Decision
- Monitor for written notification regarding whether your application was approved or declined.
- Be prepared to provide additional information or clarification if contacted by the program administrators.
- Step 7: Finalize Funding Agreement (if approved)
- If selected, enter into a grant agreement with the Ministry of Tourism and Sport according to the terms and conditions provided.
Additional information
- Incomplete applications at the deadline will not be considered for funding.
- All grant decisions are final and cannot be appealed.
- Grant recipients are required to publicly acknowledge Government of Alberta support in communications related to the project.
- Information about approved projects and recipients will become public record.
Contacts
ACI@gov.ab.ca
Frequently Asked Questions about the Active Communities Initiative Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Active Communities Initiative. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Active Communities Initiative?
How much funding can be received?
What is the deadline to apply?
Is the Active Communities Initiative a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Who are the financial supporters of the Active Communities Initiative?
Who is eligible for the Active Communities Initiative program?
Who can I contact for more information about the Active Communities Initiative?
Where is the Active Communities Initiative available?
Are Indigenous Peoples eligible for the Active Communities Initiative program?

Grant and FundingOpening Soon
Community Facility Enhancement Program Large (CFEP)
Government of AlbertaFunding for enhancing Alberta public-use community facilities
Alberta, Canada

Grant and FundingOpen
Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP) Small
Government of AlbertaSupports non-profits enhancing public-use community facilities in Alberta
Alberta, Canada

Tax CreditsOpen
Capital Investment Tax Credit (CITC)
Government of AlbertaTax credit supporting Alberta manufacturing and tourism infrastructure investments
Alberta, Canada

Grant and FundingOpen
AFA — Indigenous Arts Individual Project Funding
Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA)Funding opportunity for Indigenous artists' development in Alberta
Alberta, Canada

Grant and FundingOpen
Community Economic Development and Diversification (CEDD) in the Prairie provinces
Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan)Supports economic development and diversification for Prairie communities
Alberta, Canada

Grant and FundingOpen
AFA — Music Individual Project Funding
Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA)Funding up to $18,000 for Alberta artists' music projects
Alberta, Canada

Grant and FundingOpen
Community Initiatives Program (CIP) Project-Based
Government of AlbertaCIP Project-Based Grant supports Alberta community enhancements
Alberta, Canada

Grant and FundingOpen
AFA — Professional Performing Arts Organizations Operating Funding
Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA)Three-year funding for Alberta's professional performing arts organizations
Alberta, Canada

Grant and FundingClosed
AFA — ISCP Residency in New York Funding
Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA)Supports Alberta artists' residencies in visual arts/new media
Alberta, Alberta

Grant and FundingOpen
AFA — Major Arts Presenters Operating Funding
Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA)Funding for Alberta-based major arts presenters organizations
Alberta, Canada