Community Grants Program

Last Updated (Wednesday, 01 May 2013 17:10) Written by Administrator Tuesday, 18 November 2008 16:23

Edmonton Community Foundation supports requests from charities representing arts, culture and heritage; education and learning; human and social services; health and wellness; recreation and leisure; and the environment and conservation through its Community Grants Program and with other forms of assistance.

Because the impact of the economic downturn continues, funds available for disbursement are still limited. We encourage charities to contact staff members from our Grants department if further information is required.

Eligibility

An organization is eligible to apply to the Community Grants Program if it:

  • is a not-for-profit organization serving greater Edmonton
  • has a charitable registration number from Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)

Applying for a Community Grant

1. Review Guidlines for Community Grants Program

Guidelines for Community Grants Program Application

Generally, first-time grants start at $15,000 and rarely exceed $40,000. The size of grants depends on several factors including the number of grant requests received, funds available for disbursement, pressing community needs, the organization's capacity, the organization's previous granting history, and other considerations.

Requests for multiple years of support are not typically accommodated.

Through the Letter of Inquiry, the Foundation seeks a brief background about the applicant agency, specific information about the proposed initiative and its potential to benefit our community, and how the initiative is responding to a community need.

The letter of inquiry should provide a solid case for support and, if applicable, should discuss any other funders approached and / or collaboration with other agencies.

Foundation staff will respond to applicants who have submitted a letter of inquiry within three to four weeks. If the request has been declined, written confirmation will be mailed to the applicant.

If the request merits consideration by the Foundation's Board, a full proposal will be invited and further information, including proposal guidelines, will be made available.

Each grant request considered by the Foundation is subjected to a rigorous assessment process to ensure it is meeting a priority need in our community. The assessment process is complex and takes time, involving review by external advisory committees, staff research, and perhaps contact with the applicant.

Following the review process, the Foundation Board considers grant applications at its quarterly meetings. Grant seeking agencies are advised within a few days of the Board's decision and, if a grant has been awarded, a cheque is forwarded to the organization soon after the decision.

If the Board declines a proposal, written confirmation is provided promptly.

An organization whose letter of inquiry has been declined must wait six months before reapplying. During that time, the agency can seek feedback from Foundation staff about why the request was declined.

If a request falls within one of the categories below, it is unlikely to be considered:

  • Grants for individuals
  • Annual funding drives/fundraising initiatives
  • Capital campaigns
  • Deficit funding
  • Endowments
  • Grants for direct religious activity
  • Grants for partisan political purposes
  • Medical equipment
  • Research
  • Purchase of land and/or buildings
  • Any expenses incurred prior to the Foundation's decision date
  • Scholarship programs
  • National or provincial initiatives without clear benefit to Edmonton

 

Click here for more information

end faq

2. Start the process with a phone call to the Foundation. This may lead to an in-person meeting, if desired, with Foundation staff available to offer help and to ensure your organization understands our processes and eligibility requirements.

3. Complete the Letter of Inquiry cover page and submit it with a Letter of Inquiry.
The Letter of Inquiry, written as a separate document, briefly describes the request and the amount of support sought. The Letter of Inquiry should not be more than three pages in length and should present a thoughtful and compelling case for support. The Letter of Inquiry should provide a rationale for the approach, a short outline of the project's budget (including other potential funders, if applicable), and a timeframe for the initiative.

4. Watch this video to learn more about applying for Community Grants.

Please note: Attachments such as letters of support, financial statements, or testimonials are not required at this stage. The Foundation will contact the applicant if more information is needed.

Charities who have received a grant from ECF and wish to learn more about recognizing the Foundation's support can click here for more information.

When to Submit

Letters of Inquiry are accepted anytime throughout the year. The Foundation holds four board meetings each year (April, June, September, and December) and considers grant proposals at each meeting. Applicants should apply well in advance (three to four months) of the anticipated start date of their initiative to allow Foundation staff time to conduct its due diligence for each request. The Foundation does not award funds for expenses incurred prior to the Board's decision date.

For More Information

Edmonton Community Foundation
Phone: (780) 426-0015 or toll free at 1-866-626-0015
E-mail: grants@ecfoundation.org