Community Initiatives Program (CIP) Project-Based

• Alberta-based community non-profit organizations or charities registered under one of the provincial or federal acts as stated in the CIP Project-Based Program Guidelines section 3.1
• First Nations and Métis Settlements

Note: Extra-provincial corporations must have an Alberta-based address regularly monitored by an active member.

• Municipalities
• For-profit organizations
• Organizations not registered under one of the specified Acts stated above
• Organizations with overdue/incomplete grant reporting relating to any grant previously awarded by the Ministry
• Individuals

CIP Project-Based funding stream provides grant support to eligible organizations for community projects; new programs, one-time initiatives, program expansions and community events in Alberta. Eligible projects must align with one or more CIP outcomes and may include:

• New Programs/Program Enhancements: Wages, office space, software, materials, etc.
• Community Events: Festivals, productions, workshops—covering venue rentals, catering, speakers and more.
• Technology: Audio/visual equipment, computer hardware/software.
• Portable Equipment: Licensed vehicles, uniforms, furnishings.
• Gender Equity Projects: Venue rentals, facilitators, and new program costs.

Please reference the CIP Project-Based Program Guidelines section 3.3 for more detailed information.

The following are not eligible for funding:

• Private/commercial sector projects or projects with limited public access.
• Religious observances, gaming-related activities, or facilities like bingo halls.
• Projects under municipal, provincial, or federal responsibility (e.g., hospitals, schools).
• Outdoor recreational spaces like playgrounds, skate parks, or fitness equipment.
• Travel projects, ongoing programs (operating for more than 2 years), and projects outside Alberta.
• Fully funded projects or standalone research initiatives.

Please reference the CIP Project-Based Program Guidelines section 3.4 for more detailed information.

• Matching funding may be in the form of cash or donated labour, equipment, or materials, all of which must be specifically related to the project. 

Valuation of Donated Resources:

• Unskilled labor: $20/hour
• Skilled labor: $35/hour (e.g., ticketed electrician or plumber)
• Heavy equipment (with operator): $70/hour (including operation) and donated materials and professional services at verified fair market value.

Supporting documentation for donated resources must be submitted with the application and more details may be requested from applicants for accounting purposes.

• Other Government of Alberta funding may not be used as a matching resource. Total Government of Alberta funding cannot exceed 50% of the total project cost. If your organization has received provincial grant dollars from another ministry for the same project, we will calculate this amount into your eligible CIP Project-Based grant request.
• Ineligible project expenses as stated in the CIP Project Based Guidelines section 3.5.
• Wages and salaries associated with the regular, ongoing operations of the organization. 
• Volunteer travel time or mileage for picking up materials.
• Volunteer time related to fundraising, preparing grant applications, meetings, or project planning.

Read the CIP Project-Based Program Guidelines.

• Questions to consider:
  • Is your organization eligible? (Sections 3.1 & 3.2)
  • Is your project eligible? (Sections 3.3 & 3.4)
  • Are your project expenses eligible? (Sections 3.5)
  • Are your matching funds in place and eligible? (Section 5)

Complete the mandatory package documents:

• CIP Project-Based Application
• CIP Project-Based Budget Template
• Include the necessary additional documents with your application submission (see checklist on page 2 of the application)
  • E.g., Financial statement, executives list, letters of support, estimates, donated in kind details, void cheque.
• Application for Electronic Payment
  • If you have any questions about the AEP form, check out the tutorial available on our YouTube channel on how to complete it.

Applicants must email the completed application package to the Community Grants team. Mailed in applications will not be accepted.

Email: [email protected] 

You will receive an automatic reply that your emailed submission was received.

If you need help completing your application, watch the tutorial on our YouTube channel for step-by-step guidance.

• During the review process, organizations may be contacted for information by program staff.
• Notification will be emailed to the contacts listed on your organization’s application approximately six months after the intake deadline. Please contact the Community Grants office if this information changes.
• Applicants may begin incurring project-related costs from the date of their application submission. Please note that funding approval is not guaranteed. Expenses incurred before the application submission will not be eligible for reimbursement.
• Organizations declined for funding may submit a new application for the same project if expenses have not been incurred prior to the submission of the new application.