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Source verified September 16, 2026
Community Initiatives Program (CIP) - Major Sport Event Grant
Funding for major sport events in Alberta
Latest source updateLast Update: September 16, 2026Latest change: The CIP Project Grant now uses the GATE Front Office portal, with the next intake deadline set for February 15, 2027 and updated application and eligibility rules.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: September 16, 2026
Latest change: The CIP Project Grant now uses the GATE Front Office portal, with the next intake deadline set for February 15, 2027 and updated application and eligibility rules.
CIP Project Grant intake and portal update
The CIP Project Grant is now available through the GATE Front Office portal, and the next application intake deadline is February 15, 2027. The program now moves to two annual intakes on February 15 and August 15, and applications for National or International sporting events eligible under Tourism and Sport’s Major Sport Event Funding Program are no longer eligible. Application instructions were expanded to require registered GATE Front Office users, including at least one legal signing authority, with registration taking up to 10 business days to process. The page also adds updated support guidance and directs applicants to the revised program guidelines and new document-upload steps.
Funding available
$ 250,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Alberta, Canada
Overview
The program provides support funding of up to $250,000 for eligible nonprofit organizations hosting major sport events in Alberta. It supports single-sport events such as world championships, world cups, and national championships.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Train or support volunteers
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 250,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Alberta
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Sports
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- Mixed revenue (<50% earned)
Scope
- Local
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 1
Activities funded
- New programs
- Enhancements to existing programs
- Community events and experiences
- Technology
- Portable equipment
Documents Needed
- Board member list
- Recent financial statements (audited or unaudited) for the organization’s most recent fiscal year
- Current bank statements for all of the organization’s accounts
- Grant Agreement, Application for Electronic Payment (AEP) and a void cheque
- Estimates, supplier quotes or sources of cost estimates for each project activity; Donated in-kind documentation (if applicable); Third-Party Agreement (if applicable); Letter of support for community events; Job description for any application requesting funding for a new staff position
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Non-profit organizations
Eligible expenses
- Leasing space, external program evaluation, wages for new or temporary staff, program materials
- Venue and equipment rentals, food and non-alcoholic beverages, communications and marketing, artists and performers, speakers
- Audio/visual equipment, projection screens, computer hardware, licensing fees, website and application development
- Licensed vehicles, team uniforms and sport equipment, furnishings, portable office equipment
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Private sector or commercial initiatives, or projects with extremely limited public access
- Activities related to religious observance or church sanctuaries, and costs related to any gaming activity or gaming equipment
- Projects under municipal, provincial, or federal responsibility; ongoing programs; standalone research initiatives; private residential or group housing projects; and projects outside Alberta
- New programs started prior to the application submission date, and events that took place prior to the application submission date
- Construction, renovation, retrofitting or land purchases for any facility or outdoor space, national or international sporting events eligible under the Major Sport Event grant, and projects organized and/or delivered by a for-profit organization
Eligible geographic areas
- Alberta
Selection criteria
- Applications for events occurring before funding decisions are issued will be considered lower priority during the grant approval process.
How to apply
- Read the CIP Project Program Guidelines.
- Register for a GATE Front Office account no later than 10 business days before an application intake deadline.
- Download and complete the GATE Front Office Registration Form, select Community Grants as the program area, and email the completed form to registration.cg@gov.ab.ca.
- Ensure at least one registered user has legal signing authority to electronically sign the online grant agreement.
- Prepare supporting documents to upload in GATE Front Office.
- Complete an application for funding in GATE Front Office.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed after submission.
- Organizations may be contacted by program staff during the review process.
- The final decision can take up to 4 months.
- Applicants are notified by email.
Additional information
- Applications must be for a single sport event.
- The final grant decision may take up to 4 months.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Community Initiatives Program (CIP) - Major Sport Event Grant Program
What is the Community Initiatives Program (CIP) - Major Sport Event Grant?
The program provides support funding of up to $250,000 for eligible nonprofit organizations hosting major sport events in Alberta. It supports single-sport events such as world championships, world cups, and national championships.
How much funding can be received?
Community Initiatives Program (CIP) - Major Sport Event Grant Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $250,000 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The program is accepting continuous intake
Who is eligible for the Community Initiatives Program (CIP) - Major Sport Event Grant program?
To be eligible for the Community Initiatives Program (CIP) - Major Sport Event Grant program, you must:
Eligible nonprofit organization
Single-sport event
Event hosted in Alberta
What expenses are eligible under Community Initiatives Program (CIP) - Major Sport Event Grant?
New programs
Enhancements to existing programs
Community events and experiences
Technology
Portable equipment
Who can I contact for more information about the Community Initiatives Program (CIP) - Major Sport Event Grant?
You can contact Alberta Ministry of Arts, Culture and Status of Women (ACSW) by email at communitygrants@gov.ab.ca.
Where is the Community Initiatives Program (CIP) - Major Sport Event Grant available?
The Community Initiatives Program (CIP) - Major Sport Event Grant program is available the province of Alberta.