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Source verified September 18, 2026
Community Initiatives Program Project Grant
Support for Alberta community initiatives
Latest source updateLast Update: September 18, 2026Latest change: The CIP Project Grant next intake deadline moved from September 1, 2026 to February 15, 2027, and the application instructions now require registered GATE Front Office users with at least one legal signing authority.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: September 18, 2026
Latest change: The CIP Project Grant next intake deadline moved from September 1, 2026 to February 15, 2027, and the application instructions now require registered GATE Front Office users with at least one legal signing authority.
CIP Project Grant intake and application updates
The Community Initiatives Program (CIP) Project Grant page now shows the next application intake deadline as February 15, 2027 instead of September 1, 2026, and the one-time transition intake was removed. The page also removed the September-only rule that allowed eligible expenses incurred on or after May 1, 2026, and it now requires registered GATE Front Office users, including at least one user with legal signing authority, to access the application portal. The application guidance was expanded with additional Front Office tutorial videos and revised workflow instructions, including clearer access requirements for users and signatories. The page also continues to note that applications for National or International sporting events eligible under Tourism and Sport’s Major Sport Event Funding Program are not eligible.
Funding available
$ 75,000
Deadline
February 15, 2027
Location
Alberta, Canada
Overview
The Community Initiatives Program (CIP) Project Grant provides one-time funding of up to $75,000 per project to Alberta-based non-profit organizations to support community-driven initiatives that enhance the well-being of Albertans. Eligible projects include new or enhanced community programs, community events, and technology.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop a new program or service
- Increase social or community impact
- Enhance an existing program
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 75,000 $
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
- Culture and Arts
- Sports
- Other Recreation and Social Clubs
- Research
- Social Services
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Employment and Training
- Children and Youth Organizations
Target groups
- General public
- Children & youth
- Seniors
- Indigenous peoples
- New immigrants & refugees
- People with disabilities
- Rural / Remote communities
- Artists / creatives
- Community leaders
Revenue structures
- 100% donations / grants
Scope
- Provincial
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 1
Activities funded
- New or enhanced community programs
- Community events and experiences
- Technology
- Portable equipment
Documents Needed
- Board member list
- Recent financial statements for the organization’s most recent fiscal year, signed by 2 signing authorities
- Current bank statements for all of the organization’s accounts, each signed by 2 signing authorities
- Grant Agreement, Application for Electronic Payment form, 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
Program guide
Application form
Supporting document
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Alberta-based non-profit organizations
- Non-profit organizations registered and in good standing under one of the listed Alberta acts
- Non-profit organizations registered and in good standing under one of the listed federal acts
- Charities operating in Alberta
Who is not eligible
- Municipalities, for-profit organizations, and individuals
- Schools as defined under Alberta’s Education Act (K-12 schools)
- Universities, colleges, and institutes as defined under Alberta’s Post-secondary Learning Act
- Organizations registered under the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act
- Organizations with overdue or incomplete accounting or reporting relating to any grant previously awarded by Arts, Culture and Status of Women
Eligible expenses
- Leasing space specifically dedicated to the new or expanded program; program materials and resources; external program evaluation; new or temporary positions related to the program
- Venue and equipment rentals; food and beverages not alcohol; communications and marketing; artists and performers; speakers; security; photography; livestreaming and web services; event insurance; signage
- Audio/visual equipment; projection screens; computer hardware and software directly related to the program; licensing fees; website and application development
- Licensed vehicles; team uniforms and sport equipment; furnishings directly related to the project; portable office equipment directly related to the project
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Time and labour for application preparation, board or committee planning meetings, and fundraising campaigns
- Expenses incurred before application submission, including donated labour provided before the application is submitted
- Endowments, charitable donations, bursaries, business case or proposal development, donor recognition walls, and personal donations of equipment, materials or services
- Facility repairs or upgrades, small tools or hand tools, columbarium, grave sites or markers; moving expenses, maintenance expenses, contingency or miscellaneous costs; administrative costs and fees; liquor or bank or financing-related charges; financing charges and interest payments on loans; land purchase as a stand-alone project
- Operational and existing staff wages; debt payment or retirement; gifts, gratuities, honoraria, prizes, trophies, medals or awards; merchandise for resale; alcohol, tobacco or cannabis-related products; political activities or lobbying; costs related to any gaming activity; private sector or commercial projects; restricted public access projects; religious observance or religious sanctuaries; municipal, provincial or federal responsibility programs; post-secondary academic projects; core education curriculum, health and wellness or social services programs; capital construction, facility upgrades or renovations; research as a standalone project; projects outside Alberta; projects started before submission; hosting of national and international sport events eligible under the Tourism and Sport Major Sport Event program; annual general meetings; private residential or group housing projects
Selection criteria
- Organizational Capacity
- Project Viability and Financial Stability
- Social and Economic Impacts
- Community and Regional Need
- Other Funding Considerations, with priority consideration for projects that have not been previously funded through Community Grants and lower priority for organizations that receive regular operational support from other government authorities, organizations with annual operating budgets in excess of $5 million, organizations deemed not to be operating in the public interest, and events that take place prior to the notification date
How to apply
- Read the CIP Project Program Guidelines
- Register for access to GATE Front Office by calling 1-800-642-3855 or emailing registration.cg@gov.ab.ca a minimum 10 business days before the application deadline
- Complete the online application and submit a project budget
- Submit the application online through GATE Front Office by midnight on the corresponding deadline date
Processing and Agreement
- During the review process, program staff may contact applicants for information
- Notifications are emailed to the contacts listed in the application, approximately 6 months after the intake deadline
- Projects must be completed and fully reported within 18 months of the grant payment date
- For applications starting with the September 1, 2026 intake, reporting is completed directly in the GATE Front Office portal
- Failure to submit final reporting results in delinquency status and ineligibility for future Community Grants funding
Additional information
- The program is guided by Public Benefit, Transparency, Regional Equity, Accountability, Accessibility and Simplicity.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Community Initiatives Program Project Grant Program
What is the Community Initiatives Program Project Grant?
The Community Initiatives Program (CIP) Project Grant provides one-time funding of up to $75,000 per project to Alberta-based non-profit organizations to support community-driven initiatives that enhance the well-being of Albertans. Eligible projects include new or enhanced community programs, community events, and technology.
How much funding can be received?
Community Initiatives Program Project Grant Funds up to $75,000 of admissible expenses.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program is February 15, 2027.
Who is eligible for the Community Initiatives Program Project Grant program?
To be eligible for the Community Initiatives Program Project Grant program, you must:
Registered under an eligible Alberta or Federal Act
In good standing with its legislative authority
Operational for at least one full calendar year before the deadline
What expenses are eligible under Community Initiatives Program Project Grant?
New or enhanced community programs
Community events and experiences
Technology
Portable equipment
Who can I contact for more information about the Community Initiatives Program Project Grant?
You can contact Community Initiatives Support, Government of Alberta by email at communitygrants@gov.ab.ca or by phone at 1-800-642-3855.
Where is the Community Initiatives Program Project Grant available?
The Community Initiatives Program Project Grant program is available the province of Alberta.