Community Facility Enhancement Program Large

Program changes

The Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP) Large has new, stand-alone guidelines that have been revised from the former CFEP guidelines. To ensure this funding stream best supports the needs of Alberta’s communities and aligns with best practices in grant administration, guidelines are reviewed every 3 to 5 years.

• Read the CFEP Large guidelines, which includes outcomes specific to the CFEP Large: new intake dates, program criteria, eligibility, and process updates.

In addition, the application process for CFEP Large has changed. Applications for the 2024 intake will move to a 2-step process:

• Step 1: Expression of Interest (EOI) to determine the project eligibility and readiness.
• Step 2: Application invite for those projects the have met the EOI criteria.

Important dates

EOI transitional deadline:

• June 15, 2024, is the deadline for eligible organizations to submit a CFEP Large EOI for consideration. See the How to Apply section below for information on the EOI submission.

Note: Any reference to the Front Office Portal in the CFEP Large Guidelines for the EOI will be effective for 2025 Intake.

Overview

CFEP provides financial assistance to eligible organizations with the renewal, expansion, purchase, or build of public-use community facilities.

The CFEP has 2 funding streams:

1. CFEP Small – Financial assistance up to $125,000
2. CFEP Large – Financial assistance over $125,000 and up to $1 million

Note: An organization can only submit one application for a capital project per year through either CFEP Large, CFEP Small or the Community Initiatives Program (CIP) Project-Based for capital funding requests. Organizations should apply under the specific program stream that is best suited for their project.

Program updates

Expression of Interest (EOI)

CFEP Large is moving to a 2-step application process. During this transitional year, EOI will be reviewed starting June 15, 2024, and invitations to complete a full application will be communicated to organizations by July 15, 2024. 

In 2025, EOI submission deadline is May 15 and application requests by June 15 as per the guidelines.

Filling out the EOI is the first stage in applying for the CFEP Large funding. Through the EOI, projects will be evaluated against CFEP Large criteria to ensure project eligibility, readiness, viability and organizational capacity before requiring a full application.

There are no additional documents required with the EOI. Only applicants that move to the application process will be required to submit supporting documentation. Invitation to submit a full application does not guarantee funding.

Full applications are evaluated against program criteria which includes:

• organizational capacity
• project viability and financial stability
• project benefits
• economic impact
• accessibility
• community need or urgency
• large-scale impact among other considerations (see section 4.2 in the guidelines)

Applicants invited to submit a full application package, will be required to confirm or expand on the information provided in the EOI.

CFEP Large intake timeline

• EOI closing date: June 15, 2024
• Call for application: July 15, 2024
• Application closing date: August 30, 2024
• Notification period: Approximately January 2025

Grant information sessions

The CFEP Large guidelines have been updated and the application process has changed. 

Online CFEP Large information sessions are open for registration. The sessions will cover the new EOI, program criteria, answers and tips on submitting your application.

Table 1. Registration links for online information sessions on Eventbrite:

If you have any questions, contact Community Grants.

How to apply

Note: For grant funding requests $125,000 and under, apply to the CFEP Small.

Step 1. Read the grant guidelines

CFEP Large Guidelines

Note: Any reference to the Front Office Portal in the CFEP Large Guidelines for the Expression of Interest (EOI) will be effective for the 2025 intake date.

Step 2. Expression of Interest

Complete the EOI document and email it to Community Grants.

Note: Only projects that align with program criteria, demonstrate shovel readiness, project viability will be invited to the application step.

Step 3. Invited: submit the application package

• Successful EOI applicants will be invited to submit a full application package through the Front Office application portal.
• The complete application package will include the application, mandatory documentation and supporting documentation referenced in the EOI.
• All applications must be submitted through the Front Office Application Portal.
• Organizations have a 45-day window to submit the full application, including any supporting documentation for review and evaluation.
• To meet the application submission timelines organizations should prepare the following:
  • Project Business Case
  • 5-year Operational Budget
  • Lease or User Agreement (if applicable)
  • Third Party Agreement – mandatory if the organization is engaging a third party to carry out the project on their behalf – Third Party Information Resource
• Additional Mandatory Documents to include with the application:
  • board listing with contact information
  • organization’s most recent financial statements
  • quotes or bids for the project
  • confirmation of project revenues and donated-in-kind
  • Application for Electronic Payment
  • any other additional documentation identified in the EOI submission

After you apply

• The Front Office portal allows the applicant to see the status of their application.
• Notification will be sent to your organization by email.
• All decisions are final, and no appeals will be considered.
• Organizations declined for funding may submit a new application for the same project as long as expenses have not been incurred prior to the submission of the new application.

Reporting requirements

CFEP Large funding reporting is based on the signed formal grant agreement requirements.

Grant recipients that applied through Front Office

Organizations may access a copy of their signed grant agreement through the Front Office portal.

Organizations that received funding before March 31, 2024

Organizations may request a copy of their signed grant agreement by emailing the program.

See the Reporting Requirements Guide for more information and examples.

Contact us about reporting requirements or project completion issues.

Contact

Connect with the Community Grants office:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-422-9598
Toll free: 1-800-642-3855
Email: [email protected]