Chinook Blast Funding
Looking to bring your creative vision to life? Our funding page is filled with opportunities to help your project shine at Chinook Blast and warm up the winter!
Arts and Culture
Alberta Foundation for the Arts - Grant Programs
Calgary Arts Development - Original Peoples Investment Program
Original Peoples Investment Program
Funding Range:
Individual artists may apply for up to $20,000, artist collectives may apply for up to $25,000, and Indigenous arts organizations may apply for up to $30,000.
Eligibility:
This program is intended to provide one-time project funding to individual artists, collectives, and Indigenous-led and -centred arts organizations in Treaty 7.
The Original Peoples Investment Program (OPIP) supports the development, preservation and revitalization of First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) art through art-based projects that are supported and validated by FNMI artists, community, Elders and Knowledge Keepers. We recognize and support both traditional and contemporary Indigenous artists and arts practices. This program is developed and validated annually with the support of our Indigenous Advisory Committee.
Timeline:
Applications closed for 2024
Calgary Arts Development - Project Grant Program
Project Grant Program
Funding Range:
Up to $30,000
Eligibility:
The program seeks to support projects that align with any of the following priority areas:
Projects that reflect and contribute to the vibrancy and vitality of Calgary’s arts sector and create opportunities for Calgarians to access artistic experiences.
Projects that create opportunities for your organization to attract, restore and retain jobs for artists and arts professionals.
Projects that support your organization’s development or strengthens your ability to connect with your community.
Arts-centred projects that encourage everyday creativity, including cross-sector collaboration, creative economy and neighbourhood-level community initiatives.
Timeline:
Applications closed for 2024
Canada Council for the Arts - Funding Programs
Canada Council for the Arts - Funding Programs
Eligibility:
There six funding programs through the Canada Council for the Arts
Chinook Blast - Friends of Chinook Blast Grant Program
Friends of Chinook Blast Grant Program
Funding Range:
Up to $5,000
Eligibility:
We are looking for individuals and organizations who want to host events or programs during the festival that embody the winter spirit in Calgary. Whether it’s an artistic performance, sporting event, or a unique live experience, this is your chance to shine! The jury will consider providing funding of up to $5,000 for your event or program.
Timeline:
Deadline: Oct 18, 2024
City of Calgary - Arts and Culture Microgrant
Arts and Culture Microgrant
Funding Range:
$5,000-$30,000
Eligibility:
Tier 1: Fully subscribed for 2024 - This supports smaller initiatives with up to 100 per cent of eligible expenses per applicant, up to $5,000.
Tier 2: Up to $30,000 - Supports up to 50 per cent of eligible expenses per initiative.
Limitations:
Tier 1:
- Applicants may be approved for only one initiative in Tier 1.
- Organizations that are receiving an Arts and Culture Microgrant are not eligible to receive FESP for the same initiative.
Tier 2:
- May be approved for one or more initiatives in Tier 2 based on the results from the scoring committee.
- Organizations that are receiving a City of Calgary Festivals and Events Subsidy (FESP) are not eligible to receive and Arts and Culture Microgrant for the same initiative.
Timeline:
Tier 1:
- Applications will re-open in winter 2024/25.
- Apply a minimum of 30 days before your initiative start date. Funds are awarded on a rolling basis until all funding is allocated.
Tier 2
- Apply by March 3, 2024 for initiatives taking place between June – November 2024.
- Apply by Sep. 1, 2024 for initiatives taking place between December 2024 – May 2025.
City of Calgary - Downtown Vibrancy Fund
Downtown Vibrancy Fund
Funding Range:
Funding between $20,000 and $250,000
Eligibility:
The 2024 Downtown Vibrancy Fund welcomes applications from individuals, groups, and organizations who are passionate about making a difference in the Greater Downtown.
Eligible applicants can apply for funding between $20,000 and $250,000 for projects that may include, but are not limited to:
- New amenities, such as seasonal pop-up stages or sports courts on public land
- Programming, such as annual cultural celebrations or free add-on programming to festivals
- Place-based activations, such as interactive structures or artistic installations
- Capacity-building actions, such as educational speaker series or training related to placemaking
Timeline:
Applications for 2024 will be accepted on a rolling basis from August 8, 2024 until October 27, 2024 at 11:59 pm MST OR until all funding is committed. Projects granted funding within this timeframe must be completed by March 31, 2025.
City of Calgary - Festival and Event Subsidy Program
Festival and Event Subsidy Program (FESP)
Funding Range:
Supports $30,000 and above.
Eligibility:
- Must be a not-for-profit, charitable organization, or a Business Improvement Area.
- Must be in good standing with The City of Calgary.
- Must submit the The City of Calgary - Event Opportunity Form R1747 before the deadline.
Limitations:
- Organizations that are receiving FESP are not eligible to receive an Arts and Culture Microgrant for the same initiative.
- Does not cover any City fees and service costs associated with alcohol or cannabis, such as fees for equipment and support related to the operation of beer gardens. These costs are the responsibility of the event organizer and will be tracked and invoiced accordingly.
Timeline:
Event organizers must submit their Event Opportunity Form by November 15th or 90 days before their event, whichever is earlier.
Federation of Calgary Communities - ActivateYYC Grant Program
ActivateYYC Grant Program
Funding Range:
From $500-$5,000
Eligibility:
- All community association, organizations, non-profits, businesses, or individuals are eligible to apply.
- Interventions must be freely accessible to the public, considerate of all ages and abilities and receive final approval from the ActivateYYC team at the Federation before proceeding.
Limitations:
- ActivateYYC is not able to fund events, operational, or staffing costs.
- Successful applications will be reimbursed grant funds via cheque or direct deposit the month following the final report submission.
Timeline:
Closed for 2024
Rozsa Foundation - Funding Programs
Various funding programs
Eligibility:
Support focused on providing arts organizations in Calgary and its surrounding area with resources to undertake the work of strengthening and developing their strategic, business, and management practices.
Encourages curiosity, experimentation, and learning and the pursuit of an equitable non-racist arts sector in the City of Calgary.
Limitations:
- Organizations can only submit one application per funding deadline.
- Preference may be given to proposals geared toward equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility initiatives, those that harness the power of art for social change (especially in partnership with other, non-arts organizations), those that promote inter-organizational collaboration, and those that can use Rozsa Foundation funding to leverage additional funding or other resources, as reflected in the project budget.
Sports
Calgary Foundation - Doc Seaman Amateur Sport Grants
Doc Seaman Amateur Sport Grants
Eligibility:
- Supports all aspects of amateur ice hockey in Canada on a nation-wide basis.
- In addition to amateur ice hockey, proposals of interest include initiatives that encourage young people to learn about, enjoy and play amateur sport of all kinds as well as those that increase equal access and promote participation in community-based amateur sport.
- Registered Canadian amateur athletic associations.
- Other general charitable purposed as the Board of Directors of the Calgary Foundation shall determine.
Limitations:
- Sport focus.
- Not eligible for elite sports activities.
Timeline:
Deadline is noon on November 15th annually.
Chinook Blast - Friends of Chinook Blast Grant Program
Friends of Chinook Blast Grant Program
Funding Range:
Up to $5,000
Eligibility:
We are looking for individuals and organizations who want to host events or programs during the festival that embody the winter spirit in Calgary. Whether it’s an artistic performance, sporting event, or a unique live experience, this is your chance to shine! The jury will consider providing funding of up to $5,000 for your event or program.
Timeline:
Deadline: Oct 18, 2024
City of Calgary - Downtown Vibrancy Fund
Downtown Vibrancy Fund
Funding Range:
Funding between $20,000 and $250,000
Eligibility:
The 2024 Downtown Vibrancy Fund welcomes applications from individuals, groups, and organizations who are passionate about making a difference in the Greater Downtown.
Eligible applicants can apply for funding between $20,000 and $250,000 for projects that may include, but are not limited to:
- New amenities, such as seasonal pop-up stages or sports courts on public land
- Programming, such as annual cultural celebrations or free add-on programming to festivals
- Place-based activations, such as interactive structures or artistic installations
- Capacity-building actions, such as educational speaker series or training related to placemaking
Timeline:
Applications for 2024 will be accepted on a rolling basis from August 8, 2024 until October 27, 2024 at 11:59 pm MST OR until all funding is committed. Projects granted funding within this timeframe must be completed by March 31, 2025.
Sport Calgary - Monitored Grants List
Eligibility:
Throughout the year, Sport Calgary monitors and keeps a record of any municipal, provincial, and federal grants that can be applied for by various levels of sport. Check out the page for more information.
The Parks Foundation - Amateur Sport Grant Program
Amateur Sport Grant Program
Funding Range:
Up to $125,000
Eligibility:
The goal of the Amateur Sport Grant Program is to promote sport development and enhance sport participation for Calgarians of all ages. The program supports capital projects that provide significant benefit to the continuation and enrichment of sport. Eligible organizations, based in Calgary, can apply for grants of up to $125,000 for new sports facilities, expanding or improving existing facilities, or purchasing sport equipment.
The program was created to provide an Olympic legacy from the operations of the Saddledome. The continued success of the program is made possible through a joint community partnership with the Calgary Flames Hockey Club, the Saddledome Foundation, and Parks Foundation Calgary.
Timeline:
February 1st
May 1st
October 1st
Others
Calgary Foundation - Community Grants
Community Grants
Eligibility:
- Supports initiatives that engage citizens and strengthen charities.
- Can only accept applications from registered charities and other qualified donees.
- Proposed initiative must significantly benefit Calgary and area communities.
Timeline:
2024 applications closed. Opens in January 2025.
Calgary Foundation - Grassroot Grants
Grassroots Grants
Funding Range:
$1,000- $10,000
Eligibility:
1) Stepping Stone
- Partnerships not required to qualify.
2) Neighbour Grants
- Partnerships not required to qualify.
3) Pitch Night
- Partnerships are required to qualify.
- Support people implement small acts of community.
Timeline:
1) Stepping Stone
- Applications accepted from: Registered charities, non-profit societies, and informal grassroots groups (but not from businesses).
2) Neighbour Grants
- Applications accepted from registered charities and other qualified donnes according to the Canada Revenue Agency. If your group is not a registered charity, call the Calgary Foundation to discuss grant options.
3) Pitch Night
- Refer to Neighbour Grants.
Calgary Foundation - Major Grants
Major Grants
Eligibility:
Major Grants support single or multi-year, large-scale initiatives with transformational impact that broadly enrich the community.
Eligible initiatives:
- Align with the Calgary Foundation’s mission, vision and priority areas
- Positively impact our community by addressing major issues and encouraging participation in charitable activities from a great number of people
- Encourage innovative partnerships and collaboration
- Are at an advanced stage of readiness
- Demonstrate good planning, a firm case for financial support and sustainability, organization resilience, and secure leadership that demonstrates trusted relationships, significant or unique reach in community and capacity to drive change
- Significantly enhance the Calgary Foundation’s ability to serve as a philanthropic leader
Timeline:
- Applications re accepted once per year. The next deadline is noon November 1st.
- Must contact Major Grants to discuss the initiative by September 15.
- Committee shortlist proposals in December.
- Shortlisted meet with the advisory committee in February.
Calgary Foundation - Strategic Opportunity Grants
Strategic Opportunity Grants
Funding Range:
Maximum grant request amount is $10,000
Eligibility:
- Supports small to mid-sized Calgary and area qualified donees (up to $8M annual operating budget) with small, time-sensitive, strategic initiatives that fall into one of two categories: (1) Organization Development; (2) Program Development.
- Must be a charity
Timeline:
Grant request deadlines are midnight on the 1st of each month.
Chinook Blast - Friends of Chinook Blast Grant Program
Friends of Chinook Blast Grant Program
Funding Range:
Up to $5,000
Eligibility:
We are looking for individuals and organizations who want to host events or programs during the festival that embody the winter spirit in Calgary. Whether it’s an artistic performance, sporting event, or a unique live experience, this is your chance to shine! The jury will consider providing funding of up to $5,000 for your event or program.
Timeline:
Deadline: Oct 18, 2024
City of Calgary - Downtown Vibrancy Fund
Downtown Vibrancy Fund
Funding Range:
Funding between $20,000 and $250,000
Eligibility:
The 2024 Downtown Vibrancy Fund welcomes applications from individuals, groups, and organizations who are passionate about making a difference in the Greater Downtown.
Eligible applicants can apply for funding between $20,000 and $250,000 for projects that may include, but are not limited to:
- New amenities, such as seasonal pop-up stages or sports courts on public land
- Programming, such as annual cultural celebrations or free add-on programming to festivals
- Place-based activations, such as interactive structures or artistic installations
- Capacity-building actions, such as educational speaker series or training related to placemaking
Timeline:
Applications for 2024 will be accepted on a rolling basis from August 8, 2024 until October 27, 2024 at 11:59 pm MST OR until all funding is committed. Projects granted funding within this timeframe must be completed by March 31, 2025.
City of Calgary - Festival and Events Subsidy Program Innovation Microgrant (FESPIM)
Festival and Events Subsidy Program Innovation Microgrant (FESPIM)
Funding Range:
Up to $50,000 in funding for innovative initiatives for events hosted in 2025.
Eligibility:
The FESPIM offers startup funding for new unique initiatives, aiming to spark creativity, inspire change and contribute to the growth of vibrant and impactful events in our city.
2024 Festival and Events Subsidy Program recipients can apply for up to $50,000 in funding for innovative initiatives for events hosted in 2025.
Eligible initiatives must focus on:
- Programming Diversification
- Value-Added Innovation
- Community Strengthening
- Environmental Stewardship
Limitations:
Only 2024 Festival and Event Subsidy Program recipients are eligible to apply.
You cannot receive funding for the same initiative more than once.
Arts and Culture Microgrant recipients are not eligible for the Innovation Microgrant.
Timeline:
Open now until October 20, 2024
Park People - TD Park People Grants
Park People TD Park People Grants
Funding Range:
$2,000
Eligibility:
Support your vision for environmental education, sustainability and stewardship programs that help connect people to their local parks and green spaces.
Timeline:
2024 applications closed.
The Parks Foundation - Building Communities Grant Program
Building Communities Grant Program
Eligibility:
The Building Communities Grant can be used for the development of new or improved community-led park or playground projects. Any non-profit organization, educational institution, society or group can apply if they:
Have an active Project Support Program project account (application required)
Are registered as a non-profit society and have a Certificate of Incorporation
Has objectives relating to parks, community spaces or playgrounds
Are located within The City of Calgary municipal boundaries
NOTE: Due to limited grant funds and high volume of applications not all eligible projects will be approved for funding and projects that are approved may receive less than their requested amounts.
Timeline:
Next grant deadline is October 1st, 2024.
Travel Alberta - Tourism Investment Program
Tourism Investment Program
Eligibility:
Numerous funding programs.
The Tourism Investment Program helps turn dreams into realities. Whether you are in your first year of business or are looking to expand your current offerings, our programs are designed to help you elevate your tourism business.
Timeline:
October 2024