Open
Source verified July 8, 2026
Rio Tinto Alcan Canada - Rio Tinto Aluminum Canada Fund
Support for community-led impact initiatives
Latest source updateLast Update: July 7, 2026Latest change: The fund was renamed and its priorities, review thresholds, and application guidance were substantially revised, with a broader Canada-wide community focus and a new C$250,000 review threshold.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: July 7, 2026
Latest change: The fund was renamed and its priorities, review thresholds, and application guidance were substantially revised, with a broader Canada-wide community focus and a new C$250,000 review threshold.
Rio Tinto Canada Fund updated
The Rio Tinto Aluminium Canada Fund is now shown as the Rio Tinto Canada Fund, with a broader scope and three priority pillars: Nature, Indigenous reconciliation, and Community resilience. The annual investment level is now stated as more than C$13 million, and the page also says more than $189M has been invested since 2008. The review process and application instructions were also updated: requests under C$250,000 are reviewed within 8 to 10 weeks, while requests of C$250,000 and above go to the Board of Directors. The application route remains the online form, and the page no longer includes the prior supported-organizations list.
Funding available
Varies by project
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Canada
Overview
The Rio Tinto Canada Fund invests more than C$13 million annually to support registered Canadian charitable or non-profit organizations whose projects benefit communities near Rio Tinto operations in Canada. It funds initiatives under Nature, Indigenous reconciliation, and Community resilience, including biodiversity, ecosystem restoration, and food security.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Implement environmental initiatives
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
- All industries
Target groups
- Indigenous peoples
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Local
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Nature initiatives focused on biodiversity, ecosystem restoration, water stewardship, and climate resilience.
- Indigenous-led priorities and initiatives that advance culture, education, stewardship, reconciliation, and community capability.
- Community resilience initiatives focused on wellbeing, education, food security, and health.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Registered Canadian charitable or non-profit organizations.
Who is not eligible
- Organizations that are not registered Canadian charities or non-profit organizations.
- Organizations or programmes that discriminate based on race, religion, gender or sexual orientation.
- Individual requests, including personal travel support.
- Student-run clubs or associations.
- Political organizations or events, and professional sports organizations or events.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Activities that do not align with Rio Tinto’s business policies or code of conduct, The Way We Work.
- Projects outside Canada.
- Projects that do not benefit communities near Rio Tinto operations.
- Website, video or film production unrelated to a funded project.
- Projects primarily focused on capital works or infrastructure development.
Selection criteria
- Alignment with Rio Tinto’s business values, including The Way We Work and the Business Integrity Standard.
- Addressing demonstrated community needs with measurable impact.
- Involvement of multiple partners to help ensure long-term continuity beyond Rio Tinto support.
- Clear objectives, governance, budgets, and measurable results.
How to apply
- Submit all funding requests using the online application form.
- Requests received by email, mail, telephone or in-person will not be accepted.
Processing and Agreement
- All requests are evaluated based on the published criteria.
- Requests of less than C$250,000 are reviewed by regional community investment and partnerships teams.
- Decisions for requests of less than C$250,000 are communicated within 8 to 10 weeks of the application date.
- Requests of C$250,000 and above are presented to the Fund’s Board of Directors for review; the Board meets 3 times a calendar year, after which a final decision is communicated to the requestor.
Additional information
- The fund invests more than C$13 million annually in community initiatives and partnerships in the regions where Rio Tinto operates.
- Since 2008, more than $189M has been invested to support communities across Canada.
- The fund focuses on community-led solutions where needs are real and impact can be long-lasting.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Rio Tinto Alcan Canada - Rio Tinto Aluminum Canada Fund Program
What is the Rio Tinto Alcan Canada - Rio Tinto Aluminum Canada Fund?
The Rio Tinto Canada Fund invests more than C$13 million annually to support registered Canadian charitable or non-profit organizations whose projects benefit communities near Rio Tinto operations in Canada. It funds initiatives under Nature, Indigenous reconciliation, and Community resilience, including biodiversity, ecosystem restoration, and food security.
Who is eligible for the Rio Tinto Alcan Canada - Rio Tinto Aluminum Canada Fund program?
To be eligible for the Rio Tinto Alcan Canada - Rio Tinto Aluminum Canada Fund program, you must:
Applicant must be a registered Canadian charitable or non-profit organization
Project must support at least one of the fund’s 3 pillars
Project must benefit communities near Rio Tinto operations in Canada
What expenses are eligible under Rio Tinto Alcan Canada - Rio Tinto Aluminum Canada Fund?
Nature initiatives focused on biodiversity, ecosystem restoration, water stewardship, and climate resilience.
Indigenous-led priorities and initiatives that advance culture, education, stewardship, reconciliation, and community capability.
Community resilience initiatives focused on wellbeing, education, food security, and health.
Where is the Rio Tinto Alcan Canada - Rio Tinto Aluminum Canada Fund available?
The Rio Tinto Alcan Canada - Rio Tinto Aluminum Canada Fund program is available across Canada.
Is the Rio Tinto Alcan Canada - Rio Tinto Aluminum Canada Fund a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Rio Tinto Alcan Canada - Rio Tinto Aluminum Canada Fund is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the Rio Tinto Alcan Canada - Rio Tinto Aluminum Canada Fund?
Rio Tinto Alcan Canada - Rio Tinto Aluminum Canada Fund is funded by RioTinto Alcan