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Weston Family Foundation - Prairie Grasslands Initiative
Funding for Prairie Grasslands conservation projects
Last Update: June 8, 2026
Funding available
$ 30,000,000
Timeline
- Open continuously
Location
Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Canada
Overview
This five-year, $30M initiative supports projects that protect Prairie Grasslands biodiversity through stewardship, economic viability, and training. It funds collaborative work in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, including projects that improve stewardship practices, address land-use change drivers, and deliver knowledge and tools for grass-based stewards.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Reduce environmental footprint
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 30,000,000 $
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan
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
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- All dimensions
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Stewardship projects that promote best practices for grassland biodiversity.
- Economic viability projects that address land-use change drivers.
- Training projects that deliver knowledge, tools, and resources for land management.
Documents Needed
- Letter of Intent (LOI) in PDF format
- LOI template completed for the program
- Full proposal, if invited
- Project budget, for proposal stage
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Organizations operating in the Prairie Grasslands.
- Qualified donees under the Canada Revenue Agency and Income Tax Act.
- Indigenous-led or Indigenous-partnered organizations.
Who is not eligible
- Organizations operating outside the Prairie Grasslands.
- Organizations that do not meet the program criteria and are not qualified donees.
Eligible expenses
- Project-related salaries and staffing costs.
- Materials, travel, and workshop or event expenses.
- Training and outreach costs.
- Overhead and administrative costs up to 10% of the total project budget, to a maximum of $250,000 per project.
Eligible geographic areas
- Alberta
- Saskatchewan
- Manitoba
Selection criteria
- Alignment with the program objective and strategy.
- Fit with the geographic scope.
- Use of one or more conservation approaches.
- Measurable impact on grassland biodiversity.
- Project feasibility, team capacity, and partnerships.
How to apply
- Step 1: Prepare the LOI
- Use the program LOI template.
- Prepare the LOI as a single PDF document.
- Step 2: Submit the LOI
- Email the LOI to the Conservation Program Team at conservation@westonfoundation.ca.
- Use the required subject line format provided by the program.
- Step 3: Await review and invitation
- LOIs are reviewed by the Foundation.
- Selected applicants are invited to submit a full proposal.
- Step 4: Submit the proposal if invited
- Send the full proposal by the deadline provided to selected applicants.
Processing and Agreement
- LOIs are reviewed by Foundation staff.
- Select applicants are invited to submit full proposals.
- Proposals are adjudicated by an independent panel of external expert reviewers.
- Successful applicants receive award decisions in Fall 2025.
- A grant agreement is required, with reporting and milestone obligations after award.
Additional information
- Applicants may submit only one LOI per organization.
- Collaboration within and outside the organization is strongly encouraged.
- Projects involving Indigenous leadership or partnership are welcome.
- Successful applicants will be required to follow grant agreement terms and reporting requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Weston Family Foundation - Prairie Grasslands Initiative Program
What is the Weston Family Foundation - Prairie Grasslands Initiative?
This five-year, $30M initiative supports projects that protect Prairie Grasslands biodiversity through stewardship, economic viability, and training. It funds collaborative work in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, including projects that improve stewardship practices, address land-use change drivers, and deliver knowledge and tools for grass-based stewards.
How much funding can be received?
Weston Family Foundation - Prairie Grasslands Initiative Funds up to $30,000,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Weston Family Foundation - Prairie Grasslands Initiative program?
To be eligible for the Weston Family Foundation - Prairie Grasslands Initiative program, you must:
Operates in the Prairie Grasslands.
Has relevant experience and capacity.
Qualified donee, or collaborator.
What expenses are eligible under Weston Family Foundation - Prairie Grasslands Initiative?
Stewardship projects that promote best practices for grassland biodiversity.
Economic viability projects that address land-use change drivers.
Training projects that deliver knowledge, tools, and resources for land management.
Who can I contact for more information about the Weston Family Foundation - Prairie Grasslands Initiative?
You can contact The W. Garfield Weston Foundation (WFF).
Where is the Weston Family Foundation - Prairie Grasslands Initiative available?
The Weston Family Foundation - Prairie Grasslands Initiative program is available the province of Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan.
Is the Weston Family Foundation - Prairie Grasslands Initiative a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Weston Family Foundation - Prairie Grasslands Initiative is a Grant and Funding