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Source verified September 21, 2026
Community Priorities Grants
Community-focused funding for Southwestern Alberta
Latest source updateLast Update: September 20, 2026Latest change: The Community Priorities Fund page now shows an October 15, 2026 deadline for two programs and adds a new Youth in Action Grants Program with youth-led eligibility and up to $2,000 in support.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: September 20, 2026
Latest change: The Community Priorities Fund page now shows an October 15, 2026 deadline for two programs and adds a new Youth in Action Grants Program with youth-led eligibility and up to $2,000 in support.
Deadline changed and Youth in Action added
The Community Priorities Fund and Henry S. Varley Fund for Rural Life now show a next grant deadline of October 15, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. instead of March 16, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. A new Youth in Action Grants Program has been added with annual intake, youth-led projects for residents of Southwestern Alberta up to 25 years of age, partnership with a charitable partner, and grants of up to $2,000. The page also updates the application-guidelines links and adds updated online application instructions, including a Submit Application link for the Varley Fund and Youth in Action program.
Funding available
$ 15,000
Deadline
October 15, 2026
Location
Alberta, Canada
Overview
Community Priorities Grants supports qualified donees in Southwestern Alberta through community-focused funding. It supports local organizations, equity, emerging needs, and projects with community impact or collaboration.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Raise awareness or mobilize a population
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
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
- Economic, Social and Community Development
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- 100% donations / grants
Scope
- Regional
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 2
Documents Needed
- List of Board and key staff members
- Intermediary Agreement (if applying in partnership)
- Application Form
- Audited Financial Statement
- Operating Budget and Project Quote
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Federally registered charities
- Qualified donees with a business number (BN)
- Organizations applying in partnership with another registered charity, municipality or school district
Eligible expenses
- One-time costs to build capacity to fulfill the organization’s mission
- One-time capital costs, including equipment purchase, facility construction, and renovation projects
- One-time operating costs, such as funding to launch a pilot project
- Funding for the initial phase of a program that will be funded from other sources in the future
- Funding to strengthen the governance of the organization
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Core operating costs for ongoing programs and services, including administration expenses
- Fundraising events or activities, including general fundraising campaign contributions or sponsorship
- Retroactive expenses incurred prior to the final grants decision date
- Deficit reduction and endowment building
- Advertising and marketing
Eligible geographic areas
- Southwestern Alberta, within the region stretching from the U.S. border north to Arrowwood and from the B.C. border west to Grassy Lake
Selection criteria
- Support for local organizations
- Projects that support equity in the community
- Projects that are responsive to emerging, versus ongoing needs
- The breadth and/or depth of a project’s community impact
- Community support and/or collaboration of or on a project
How to apply
- Use our online application system to submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) or Project Proposal to the Community Priorities Granting Program.
- Community Foundation staff will then contact you to discuss your project.
- Once the project’s eligibility has been approved and the project proposal is ready for submission, you will be invited to complete the full application.
Processing and Agreement
- The Community Priorities Committee reviews each application before making funding recommendations to the Board of Directors for final approval.
- All applicants are notified regardless of whether they receive funding.
- Funding is awarded approximately two months after the application deadline date.
Additional information
- If you receive funding, you can download the Community Foundation logo kit for use in recognition of funding received for your project.
- For questions, contact office@cflsa.ca or 403-328-5297.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Community Priorities Grants Program
What is the Community Priorities Grants?
Community Priorities Grants supports qualified donees in Southwestern Alberta through community-focused funding. It supports local organizations, equity, emerging needs, and projects with community impact or collaboration.
How much funding can be received?
Community Priorities Grants Funds up to $15,000 of admissible expenses.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program is October 15, 2026.
Who is eligible for the Community Priorities Grants program?
To be eligible for the Community Priorities Grants program, you must:
The applicant must be located within the eligible region or run programming there.
The applicant must be a CRA-recognized qualified donee.
Applicants without a CRA business number may apply with a registered charity, municipality, or school district.
Who can I contact for more information about the Community Priorities Grants?
You can contact Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta (CFLSA) by email at grants@cflsa.ca or by phone at 403-328-5297.
Where is the Community Priorities Grants available?
The Community Priorities Grants program is available the province of Alberta.
Is the Community Priorities Grants a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Community Priorities Grants is a Grant and Funding