Community Grants
Community Grants address the greatest needs across the Southeastern Alberta region. They provide essential funding to local charities & non-profit organizations, helping enhance our communities’ quality of life.
These grants are made possible by donors who contribute to the Community Fund. Investment income is distributed through an application-based granting process held twice a year.
Community Grant cycles occur in the Spring and Fall. For detailed dates and information on the application process, please refer to our Grant Guidelines.
CFSEA has a two-step application consisting of a Letter of Intent (Phase 1) and Application (Phase 2). Feedback from Phase 1 may take up to seven business days. The deadline for the Letter of Intent will be at least two business days before the application deadline.
To view a full listing of past grant recipients, click here
Spring 2026 Applications Open In:
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Key Dates
Application Opens
February 4, 2026, at 12:00 pm
Letter of Intent (LOI) Deadline
March 4, 2026, at 4:30 pm
Application Deadline
March 16, 2026, at 12:00 pm
Granting Priorities
Our granting priorities are shaped by local data and community insight, ensuring funds support solutions that address the region’s most significant challenges.
This information supports evidence-based, locally relevant solutions that improve quality of life, inspire civic engagement, focus public discussion, and help residents, businesses, community organizations, and local leaders direct resources where they will have the greatest impact.
Basic Needs – Food, Housing, Health
Work & Economy
Connection & Belonging
Additionally, our rural granting priorities are informed by Rural Futures: Regional Development and Conversations in Southeastern Alberta, which explores the urgent priorities and opportunities identified by non-urban communities in our region.
Applicants in our Rural Community Fund Areas are encouraged to submit projects that address the unique challenges facing Cypress County, the County of Newell, Special Areas No. 2, 3, and 4, the M.D. of Acadia, and the County of Forty Mile.
Healthcare Access
Housing Availability
Social Isolation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a charitable purpose?
CFSEA ACT Definition: “The objects of the Foundation are to promote such charitable educational, recreational, cultural, and benevolent purposes as will, in the sole discretion of the Board, most effectively assist, encourage, and promote the well being of Mankind, primarily the inhabitants of the City of Medicine Hat and Southeastern Alberta regardless of race, national origin, colour, or religion”.
CRA Definition: “Registered charities must have formal purposes that are exclusively charitable and fall into one or more of the following categories:
- Relief of Poverty
- Advancement of Education
- Advancement of religion
- Other purposes beneficial to the public in a way that the law has recognized as charitable”. For example: protect the environment; promote health; uphold human rights; animal welfare; arts and culture; emergency and disaster relief; address or prevent specific problems faced by children, youth, or families, promote volunteerism, relief of the aged, relief of conditions associated with disability, promote racial equality, rehabilitation of those involved in the criminal justice system.
Who can apply?
Eligible applicants must serve Southeastern Alberta and be one of the following:
- A registered charity, municipality, or school division (qualified donee); or
- A non-profit or grassroots organization that partners with a qualified donee.
Additionally, organizations must also have no outstanding final reports from a previous Community Grant cycle.
How much funding can I request?
You may request up to $25,000 per application. In some cases, multi-year funding (up to two years) may be considered for projects that are new, substantially expanded, or require additional time to demonstrate outcomes.
Registered non-profit societies that have been in good standing for five or more years may apply directly for up to $5,000 without a qualified donee partner.
What types of projects are funded?
Projects should align with CFSEA’s granting priorities and demonstrate measurable community impact. Funding can support:
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Project delivery costs such as materials, program expenses, or community outreach.
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Small capital purchases under $10,000.
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Limited administrative or staffing costs directly tied to project implementation (up to 10% of the grant request).
For the full project eligibility details, please review the Community Grants Guidelines.
When will I be notified, and when are funds released?
Applicants are notified of results within two months of the application deadline, following Board approval. Successful applicants must sign a Grant Agreement before funds are released.
Grant funds are released in June and November, following the spring and fall granting cycles.
Unsuccessful applicants may request feedback to strengthen future applications.
What support is available for applicants?
The Community Foundation is committed to ensuring an accessible and equitable application process for all applicants.
We offer technical support for anyone unfamiliar with our online Grant Portal and can accommodate oral or virtual applications upon request. Applicants who face barriers related to technology, language, or accessibility are encouraged to contact us for personalized support.
We’re here to help you share your idea confidently! Please reach out to our Grants Coordinator at grants@cfsea.ca or 403.527.9038.
We’re Here to Help!
Speak with our Grants and Communications Coordinator, Emily, today!
For more information, contact: