Open
Indigenous Relations Office Sponsorships
City funding for Indigenous-led healing, culture, and equity initiatives
Last Update: March 31, 2026
Funding available
Varies by project
Timeline
- Open continuously
Location
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Overview
The City of Edmonton’s Indigenous Relations Office Sponsorships provide funding for Indigenous-led initiatives that support healing, cultural revitalization, and work to address systemic inequalities, aligned with the City’s Indigenous Framework and the TRC and MMIR action plans. Eligible activities include Indigenous-led events and programs focused on awareness, addressing impacts of colonization, cultural resurgence, and advocacy within the greater Edmonton area, but the maximum funding amount is not specified in the available program materials.
/100
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
- Varies by project
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Educational services
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration
Location
- Edmonton
- Alberta
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- 2SLGBTQI+
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- All industries
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- All dimensions
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Indigenous-led programs or activities that build awareness of the impacts of residential schools and colonization (including truth-telling on systemic racism, gender-based violence, and the MMIWG2S+ crisis).
- Indigenous-led activities or programs that address the impacts of residential schools, colonial violence, and ongoing discrimination, including community-led safety, justice, and healing initiatives for MMIWG2S+ survivors and families.
- Indigenous-led events or initiatives that support cultural resurgence, including reclaiming Indigenous culture, knowledge, language, autonomy, and kinship systems to foster collective healing.
- Indigenous-led initiatives or programs focused on advocacy for change within institutional or governmental bodies in response to the 94 Calls to Action and/or 231 Calls for Justice.
- Indigenous-led events or initiatives held within the greater Edmonton area (with possible location exceptions for cultural and ceremony purposes at the City’s discretion).
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Indigenous-led non-profit organizations
- Non-profit organizations (including educational institutions)
- Local grassroots groups with an eligible fiscal agent (registered non-profit organization)
- First Nations communities
- Métis or Inuit communities
Who is not eligible
- For-profit businesses (the program lists eligible applicants as non-profit organizations and First Nations, Métis or Inuit communities).
- Organizations not in good standing with the City of Edmonton (e.g., with outstanding reports or in arrears on City of Edmonton accounts).
- Applicants in litigation with the City of Edmonton.
- Applicants that are bankrupt, insolvent, or have ceased to function as an active legal entity under Alberta laws.
- Applicants that provide materially false or misleading information to the City of Edmonton.
Eligible expenses
- Cultural protocol costs
- Honorariums
- Wages for event staff (including artists and performers)
- Venue rental and related venue costs
- Event insurance
- Volunteer support costs
- Catering and food expenses
- Marketing and promotion expenses related to the event
- Other production and event delivery costs
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Prize money
- Award costs
- Alcohol purchases
- Capital expenses
Eligible geographic areas
- Greater Edmonton area (events must be held within this area; exceptions may be considered for cultural and ceremony purposes at the discretion of the Indigenous Relations Office).
Processing and Agreement
- The City reviews applications and assesses them against organizational eligibility and the program’s priorities and assessment criteria.
- Funding decisions are made on a first-come, first-served basis while funds remain available; incomplete or ineligible applications do not keep their place in the queue.
- Applicants are notified of the decision within 4–6 weeks.
- Within 90 days after the event or initiative ends, funded applicants (and any identified partners) must submit final reporting through the City’s online portal.
Additional information
- Funding is limited and applications may be handled on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Incomplete or ineligible applications do not keep their place in the queue.
- For Intake #1, applicants can expect a decision within 4–6 weeks after submission.
- Final reporting is required within 90 days after the event or initiative is completed.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Indigenous Relations Office Sponsorships Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Indigenous Relations Office Sponsorships. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Indigenous Relations Office Sponsorships?
The City of Edmonton’s Indigenous Relations Office Sponsorships provide funding for Indigenous-led initiatives that support healing, cultural revitalization, and work to address systemic inequalities, aligned with the City’s Indigenous Framework and the TRC and MMIR action plans. Eligible activities include Indigenous-led events and programs focused on awareness, addressing impacts of colonization, cultural resurgence, and advocacy within the greater Edmonton area, but the maximum funding amount is not specified in the available program materials.
Who is eligible for the Indigenous Relations Office Sponsorships program?
To be eligible for the Indigenous Relations Office Sponsorships program, you must:
Applicant organization must be in good standing with the City of Edmonton (no outstanding reports; not in arrears).
Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations registered for at least 1 year and in good standing with their incorporating body.
Eligible applicants also include First Nations, Métis or Inuit communities (including grassroots groups applying via an eligible fiscal agent).
What expenses are eligible under Indigenous Relations Office Sponsorships?
Indigenous-led programs or activities that build awareness of the impacts of residential schools and colonization (including truth-telling on systemic racism, gender-based violence, and the MMIWG2S+ crisis).
Indigenous-led activities or programs that address the impacts of residential schools, colonial violence, and ongoing discrimination, including community-led safety, justice, and healing initiatives for MMIWG2S+ survivors and families.
Indigenous-led events or initiatives that support cultural resurgence, including reclaiming Indigenous culture, knowledge, language, autonomy, and kinship systems to foster collective healing.
Indigenous-led initiatives or programs focused on advocacy for change within institutional or governmental bodies in response to the 94 Calls to Action and/or 231 Calls for Justice.
Indigenous-led events or initiatives held within the greater Edmonton area (with possible location exceptions for cultural and ceremony purposes at the City’s discretion).
Who can I contact for more information about the Indigenous Relations Office Sponsorships?
You can contact City of Edmonton by email at indigenousrelations@edmonton.ca.
Where is the Indigenous Relations Office Sponsorships available?
The Indigenous Relations Office Sponsorships program is available the province of Alberta.
Is the Indigenous Relations Office Sponsorships a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Indigenous Relations Office Sponsorships is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the Indigenous Relations Office Sponsorships?
Indigenous Relations Office Sponsorships is funded by City of Edmonton