Community Initiatives Program (CIP) - Operating Grant

• Core funding of up to $60,000 per project, provided on a matching basis with eligible non-government cash and in-kind contributions, all of which must be secured at the time of application.
• Up to $15,000 in additional Organizational Development funding available per project, which does not require matching funds.
• Organizations may receive funding once every three years, with a required minimum of one full year off between grants.
• Funds must be spent within 24 months of payment; final reporting is due within 30 months.

• The applicant must be a legally registered non-profit organization or an established Community Collaborative operating in Alberta for at least one full year.
• The organization's primary mission must be to address social issues such as food security, shelter, poverty, homelessness, safety from violence, mental health, addictions, disability, isolation, or barriers related to race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or age.
• The applicant must have one year of financial statements available.
• If applying as a Community Collaborative, the structure and roles must be documented, and there must be a history of achieving results in Alberta for at least one year.

Who is eligible?

• Single non-profit organizations addressing social issues
• Established community collaboratives composed of non-profit organizations
• First Nations and Métis Settlements (registered as non-profit organizations)

Who is not eligible

• Municipalities.
• For-profit organizations.
• Organizations not registered under specified Alberta or Canadian non-profit legislation.
• Organizations whose main purpose is sport or arts.
• Individuals.

Eligible expenses

• Wages and salaries for existing staff, including administrative, finance, program staff, and the Executive Director.
• Staff and volunteer training opportunities located in Alberta.
• Minor purchases of equipment essential to support core operations, programs, or services.
• Rent, utilities, and insurance.
• Advertising, marketing, and communication expenses.
• Travel within Alberta.
• Office and program supplies.
• Evaluation, data collection, auditing, and reporting costs.
• Other ongoing operating expenses identified by the applicant as integral to operations.
• Activities supporting organizational development, such as communications and marketing development, research, feasibility studies, fund development, operational enhancements, technology upgrades, and collaborative relationship building.

Eligible geographic areas

• Legally registered organizations operating in Alberta.

• Alignment of the organization and its programs with the stated program outcomes.
• Organizational capacity and demonstrated community impact, including ability to deliver services and measurable benefit within the community.
• Evidence of community engagement and collaboration, including partnerships and avoidance of duplicated services.
• Organizational financial stability and capacity to manage funds, including diverse funding sources and demonstrated fundraising capacity.
• Potential economic and social impact, including benefit to high-need or underserved communities and contribution to employment or volunteer opportunities.

• Grant recipients are encouraged to acknowledge the Government of Alberta in their communications or public materials.
• Organizations must keep records related to the grant for seven years from the date of file closure notification.
• Applicants must not have any overdue reporting obligations related to other Alberta government grants at the time of application.
• All decisions regarding grant applications are final and are not subject to appeal.