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Community Facility Enhancement Program Large (CFEP) - AB - Canada

Community Facility Enhancement Program Large (CFEP)

Last Update: July 22, 2025
AB, Canada
Funding for enhancing Alberta public-use community facilities

Community Facility Enhancement Program Large (CFEP) at a glance

Eligible Funding
  • From $125,000 to $1,000,000
  • Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
  • Open Date : June 14, 2025
  • Closing date : July 30, 2025
Financing Type
Grant and Funding
Eligible Industries
  • Information and cultural industries
  • Educational services
  • Health care and social assistance
  • Arts, entertainment and recreation
  • Other services (except public administration)
  • Public administration
Grant Providers
  • Government of Alberta
Status
Opening Soon

Overview of the Community Facility Enhancement Program Large (CFEP) program

The Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP) Large provides non-profit organizations in Alberta with financial support ranging from $125,001 up to $1 million to upgrade, expand, purchase, or build public-use community facilities. Eligible activities include new construction, facility purchase, renovations, retrofits, and the acquisition of equipment to support arts, cultural, heritage, recreational, and sports spaces.

Financing terms and conditions

  • Funding available between $125,001 and $1 million per project.
  • Grants are approved on a matching basis: the applicant must contribute an amount equal to or exceeding the requested funding.
  • Government of Alberta funding cannot exceed 50% of the total project cost for each project.

Eligible projects & activities

  • Construction of new public-use community facilities, such as community halls, arenas, or recreation centres.
  • Expansion or renewal of existing arts, cultural, heritage, recreational, or sport facilities intended for public use.
  • Acquisition or purchase of buildings to be used as community facilities for public benefit.
  • Retrofitting, renovating, or upgrading publicly accessible community spaces to improve safety, accessibility, or usability.
  • Development or improvement of parks, playgrounds, natural areas, or outdoor spaces for community activities.
Examples of admissible projects:

$ 400,000

Retrofitting a heritage library for accessibility and efficiency upgrades

$ 980,000

Renovating and expanding a historic local performing arts theatre

$ 1,000,000

Building a new multi-sport community recreation complex from scratch

$ 320,000

Expanding a community-run indoor playground and wellness space

$ 980,000

Purchasing and converting a vacant hall into a cultural centre

$ 600,000

Enhancing a riverside outdoor community park with inclusive features

Eligibility criteria of the Community Facility Enhancement Program Large (CFEP) program

  • The applicant must be a community non-profit organization registered for at least two years and in good standing under specified Alberta or federal legislation.
  • The applicant organization must be operating in the Province of Alberta and maintain an Alberta-based address.
  • The project must focus on upgrading, expanding, purchasing, or constructing a facility primarily intended for general public use and community benefit.
  • The application must demonstrate organizational capacity, project readiness, and the ability to provide matching funding equal to or greater than the grant request.
  • Only one project application per capital project can be submitted per year by an organization.

Who is eligible?

  • Community non-profit organizations registered for at least two years under provincial or federal legislation
  • Organizations operating public-use facilities intended for arts, cultural, heritage, recreational, or sport purposes
  • Organizations operating libraries, museums, or community service facilities (e.g., food banks, shelters)
  • First Nations organizations
  • Métis Settlements

Who is not eligible

  • Municipalities
  • For-profit organizations
  • Organizations whose main activity supports the private sector rather than the public interest
  • Universities, colleges, institutes, and private schools
  • Fundraising bodies for for-profit organizations or business associations
  • Organizations with overdue or incomplete grant reporting for any previous government funding
  • Individuals

Eligible expenses

  • Costs to renew, expand, or retrofit existing public-use community facilities, including construction and renovation expenses directly related to the project.
  • Expenses for purchasing an existing facility to deliver public-use programs or services.
  • Construction costs for new public-use community facilities.
  • Purchases of equipment, appliances, or furniture integral to supporting a public-use community facility as part of the project.
  • Planning and design fees directly associated with the eligible project.
  • Professional services and materials specifically donated or purchased for the project (at fair market value).
  • Review engagement report or audited financials required for project reporting.

Eligible geographic areas

  • Organizations operating and registered in the Province of Alberta.

Eligibility criteria of the Community Facility Enhancement Program Large (CFEP) program

  • Demonstration of the organization’s capacity to successfully execute and manage a large-scale project.
  • Project viability and financial stability, including sufficient matching resources and long-term financial sustainability.
  • Extent of community benefits and impact, such as enhancement of quality of life and increased facility lifespan.
  • Economic impact, including job creation and added value for the community.
  • Accessibility and ability to serve a broad and diverse public, including improved public safety and access for various demographics.

How to apply to the Community Facility Enhancement Program Large (CFEP) program

1
Read program guidelines
  • Review the CFEP Large program guidelines on the official website
  • Verify your organization's and project's eligibility as per guideline sections
  • Ensure matching funds are identified and eligible
2
Register for Front Office account
  • Download and complete the Registrant Form for Front Office
  • Submit the form to registration.cg@gov.ab.ca at least 10 business days before the deadline
  • Create and activate your Front Office account for application access
3
Submit Expression of Interest (EOI)
  • Log in to Front Office and select the CFEP Large Expression of Interest (EOI)
  • Complete and submit the EOI form online
  • Provide information on project eligibility and readiness
4
Await application invitation
  • Wait for invitation to submit a full application if EOI criteria are met
  • Only eligible and shovel-ready projects will proceed
5
Submit full application package
  • Prepare and submit a complete application package via Front Office
  • Include all mandatory documents such as business case, budget, agreements, and financial statements
  • Submit within 45 days of invitation
6
Wait for funding decision
  • Monitor application status through Front Office portal
  • Respond promptly if additional information is requested by staff
  • Wait for notification of funding decision by email (about six months after intake deadline)
7
Sign grant agreement and start project
  • Sign the formal grant agreement if approved
  • Begin project work as per approved terms
  • Keep records for reporting and accounting purposes
8
Complete project and final report
  • Complete the project within the grant term
  • Submit final reporting and financial statements as specified in the agreement
  • Retain records for at least seven years

Additional information

  • Applicants can incur eligible project-related costs starting from the application submission date, but expenses incurred before submission are not eligible for reimbursement.
  • Notification of funding decisions is typically sent approximately six months after the intake deadline.
  • One application for a capital project may be submitted per year per organization, through either CFEP Large, CFEP Small, or the Community Initiatives Program (CIP) Project-Based stream.
  • Applicants must retain project records for seven years from the date of the notification letter of file closure.

Contact Government of Alberta

CommunityGrants@gov.ab.ca
1-800-642-3855
Apply to this program

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