Opening Soon
Source verified August 1, 2026
Program and Operating Grants
Supports justice-sector programs in Alberta
Offered by
Latest source updateLast Update: August 1, 2026Latest change: The Frequently Asked Questions page now reflects updated annual application timing, revised eligibility wording, and new term details for grants under and over $250,000.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: August 1, 2026
Latest change: The Frequently Asked Questions page now reflects updated annual application timing, revised eligibility wording, and new term details for grants under and over $250,000.
FAQ updated on annual cycle, eligibility, and grant terms
The Frequently Asked Questions page now says applications are open on the portal from September 1st through September 30th each year, with the grant call announced each July. It also updates the eligibility wording from First Nation or Band Council to Indigenous Nation or Council, and removes Anchor grants from the regular stream list in favor of staff-led criteria review approved by the Board. The grant term guidance now adds explicit operating-term dates: grants under $250,000 commence January 1 and end December 31, while grants of $250,000 or more commence April 1 and end March 31 of the following year.
Funding available
Varies by project
Deadline
Opening Soon
Location
Canada
Overview
The Alberta Law Foundation now uses a single annual grant cycle for project grants, operating grants, and anchor grants. It funds Alberta’s justice sector through programs and projects that relate to the law or the justice system, including legal advice, public legal education, and law libraries.
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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
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Research
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- 100% donations / grants
Scope
- Provincial
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Initiatives responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action relevant to the Foundation’s mandate.
- Research to reform the laws and the administration of justice affecting Indigenous people.
- Public legal education and information designed for or directed toward Indigenous audiences.
- Direct legal advice and support services provided for Indigenous individuals.
- Programs providing legal advice, information, and referral, including court or community-based support programs.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Incorporated non-profit entities
- First Nations
- Band Councils
- Organizations based outside Alberta if the proposed project will benefit the people of Alberta and has the support of the local law foundation in their home province
Who is not eligible
- Individuals
- Commercial entities
Eligible expenses
- Direct costs of a program or project related to the law or the justice system.
- A reasonable portion of related administration or overhead costs, including supervision, rent or premises, financial oversight and audit, insurance, IT, and evaluation.
- Meals, beverages and hospitality expenses, when needed to meet program objectives or cultural components of programming.
- Purchase or lease of a vehicle, when integral to the delivery of a funded program or project.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- International projects, except in exceptional circumstances
- Political lobbies
- Programs of government departments or salaries of government employees
- Purchase of buildings, except in exceptional circumstances
- Legal advice if the organization does not hold Approved Legal Service Provider status through the Law Society of Alberta
Eligible geographic areas
- Alberta
Selection criteria
- Meeting one or more of the Foundation’s objects.
- Evidence of need for the program or service, or why it is a priority.
- Capacity and expertise of the applicant to complete the project or deliver the program.
- Level of collaboration and community support, including strategic partnerships.
- Financial health of the organization, as evidenced by financial statements and a sustainability plan.
How to apply
- The open call opens on September 1 and closes on September 30 each year.
- The call, including the available funding, eligibility criteria, and key dates, is announced in July.
- Applications submitted outside the open call window cannot be accepted.
Processing and Agreement
- The Board makes funding decisions for all streams at a single meeting in November.
- Applicants are notified of the outcome after that meeting.
- Existing grant agreements continue according to their terms.
- Disbursements on existing multi-year grants continue, subject to satisfactory reporting from the prior period.
Additional information
- Registered charity status is not required.
- Funding can support both existing programming and new programs or projects.
- Organizations do not need to be exclusively law-focused if the proposed work relates to Canadian law or Indigenous law.
- Applicants can speak with the Grants Team before submitting an inquiry.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Program and Operating Grants Program
What is the Program and Operating Grants?
The Alberta Law Foundation now uses a single annual grant cycle for project grants, operating grants, and anchor grants. It funds Alberta’s justice sector through programs and projects that relate to the law or the justice system, including legal advice, public legal education, and law libraries.
Who is eligible for the Program and Operating Grants program?
To be eligible for the Program and Operating Grants program, you must:
The applicant must be a non-profit entity, First Nation, or Band Council
The project must benefit people in Alberta
Legal advice programs require Approved Legal Service Provider status
What expenses are eligible under Program and Operating Grants?
Initiatives responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action relevant to the Foundation’s mandate.
Research to reform the laws and the administration of justice affecting Indigenous people.
Public legal education and information designed for or directed toward Indigenous audiences.
Direct legal advice and support services provided for Indigenous individuals.
Programs providing legal advice, information, and referral, including court or community-based support programs.
Who can I contact for more information about the Program and Operating Grants?
You can contact Alberta Law Foundation by email at grants@albertalawfoundation.org.
Where is the Program and Operating Grants available?
The Program and Operating Grants program is available across Canada.
Is the Program and Operating Grants a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Program and Operating Grants is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the Program and Operating Grants?
Program and Operating Grants is funded by Alberta Law Foundation