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Independent School Capital
Capital support for independent schools creating student spaces
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Funding available
$ 10,000,000
Location
Canada
Who can apply
Accredited funded independent school authorities, including Designated Special Education Private Schools (DSEPS).
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Overview
Independent School Capital provides up to $10 million per eligible non-profit independent school authority in Alberta to fund infrastructure that creates new student spaces. Eligible work includes new school construction, expansions and modular facilities, with costs such as construction, equipment and professional fees.
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At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Renovate or expand facilities
- Renovate or adapt facilities
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 10,000,000 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 2
Activities funded
- New school construction.
- Building expansions that create new student space.
- Purchase, assembly, delivery and installation of modular buildings.
- Building acquisitions.
- Leasehold improvements that create new student spaces.
Documents Needed
- A completed proposal.
- Contact information for a school representative.
- A completed project budget.
- Evidence of financial commitment representing the applicable matching ratio.
- Supporting data and evidence, facility location details, applicable ownership or lease documentation, site-readiness information, and other applicable supporting documents such as conceptual designs, site plans, zoning information, permits, approvals or community support letters.
Sources and recorded changes
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Accredited funded independent school authorities, including Designated Special Education Private Schools (DSEPS).
Who is not eligible
- Accredited non-funded schools.
- Registered-only schools.
- Heritage language schools.
- Independent Early Childhood Services (ECS) operators.
- For-profit entities.
Eligible expenses
- Construction of new facilities or modular buildings, including building and site construction such as shells, interiors, mechanical and electrical work, materials and labour.
- Exterior works, including servicing, landscaping, parking and play areas.
- Fixed equipment, including millwork, boards and conduit.
- Furniture and equipment.
- Professional and permit fees.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Land purchase.
- Operational expenses, including salaries, utilities, supplies and maintenance.
- Marketing, legal or administrative startup costs.
- Costs incurred before the proposal submission date.
Eligible geographic areas
- Alberta.
Selection criteria
- Number of new spaces created at the lowest cost per space.
- Demonstrated enrolment pressures.
- Alignment with education priorities, including the needs of students with complex needs.
- Financial sustainability.
- Site readiness and organizational capacity.
How to apply
- Submit a completed proposal describing the need or opportunity, the current situation with citations for data used, alignment with long-term planning and strategic plans, and the project scope.
- Gather the applicable supporting documents for the proposal.
- Submit the proposal and supporting documents by email to ecc.independentschoolcapital@gov.ab.ca.
Processing and Agreement
- Approved applicants must submit a Payment Request Form with all required documentation; payments are released after verification of eligible expenditures and compliance with the funding agreement.
- Funds are released in phases as project milestones are met, with progress reports and financial documentation required before disbursements.
- Recipients must provide quarterly project progress reports, quarterly financial reports and a final project completion report detailing scope, cost and outcomes.
- Significant changes to project scope, schedule or budget must be reported immediately; the Ministry may amend, reduce or cancel funding if the project no longer meets program requirements.
- The government may recover disbursed funds in cases of non-compliance or misapplication of funds.
Additional information
- Successful applicants retain ownership of their schools. If a funded property is sold within the first ten years after project completion, the Government of Alberta has a right of first refusal to purchase it at fair market value, minus the government’s contribution; this clause may be registered on the land title.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Independent School Capital Program
What is the Independent School Capital?
Independent School Capital provides up to $10 million per eligible non-profit independent school authority in Alberta to fund infrastructure that creates new student spaces. Eligible work includes new school construction, expansions and modular facilities, with costs such as construction, equipment and professional fees.
How much funding can be received?
Independent School Capital Funds up to $10,000,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Independent School Capital program?
To be eligible for the Independent School Capital program, you must:
The applicant must be a non-profit organization registered under applicable Alberta legislation.
The applicant must operate an accredited funded private school in Alberta.
The applicant must demonstrate the financial capacity to meet the applicable matching grant ratio.
What expenses are eligible under Independent School Capital?
Construction of new facilities or modular buildings, including building and site construction such as shells, interiors, mechanical and electrical work, materials and labour.
Exterior works, including servicing, landscaping, parking and play areas.
Fixed equipment, including millwork, boards and conduit.
Furniture and equipment.
Professional and permit fees.
Who can I contact for more information about the Independent School Capital?
You can contact Government of Alberta by email at ecc.independentschoolcapital@gov.ab.ca.
Where is the Independent School Capital available?
The Independent School Capital program is available across Canada.
Is the Independent School Capital a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Independent School Capital is a Grant and Funding