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Strong communities are built by the people and organizations working in them every day, and Alberta’s government says more than $38 million in community grants will help non-profit organizations continue that work across the province.
Through funding announced as part of Budget 2026, the province is providing $25 million through the Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP) and $13.6 million through the Community Initiatives Program (CIP).
The programs support a wide range of community projects and initiatives, including improvements to public spaces and facilities, arts and culture, heritage, recreation and programs that support families and community well-being.
According to the province, the two grant programs have typically supported more than 700 projects each year.
The funding is also designed to help provincial dollars go further. Through CFEP’s matching requirement, every dollar provided by the province leverages an average of $3 in additional funding from other sources, allowing community organizations to expand the impact of their projects.
“Community organizations turn ideas into action and help meet the needs of Albertans every day,” said Tanya Fir, Alberta’s Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women. “By investing in facilities, projects and programs, our government is helping non-profits turn local priorities into lasting results that will benefit Albertans for decades to come.”
The grants provide organizations with flexibility to address the priorities of their own communities, recognizing that the needs of communities across Alberta are not always the same.
One example is the National accessArts Centre in Calgary, which received a $1-million grant in 2024-25 toward construction of a multidisciplinary performing and community arts hub.
The planned facility will provide accessible, barrier-free space for artists and content creators living with developmental, neurodevelopmental and physical disabilities.
“In 2024-25, the National accessArts Centre received a $1-million grant to support construction of a multi-disciplinary performing and community arts hub in Calgary,” said Jung-Suk Ryu, president and CEO of the National accessArts Centre. “The project will provide accessible, barrier-free space for artists and content creators living with developmental, neurodevelopmental and physical disabilities.”
Another example comes from the YMCA Genesis Centre in Calgary, where the NE Centre of Community Society received $125,000 in 2025-26 to replace the facility’s aging gymnasium elevator.
The project is expected to improve safety, reliability and accessibility while helping ensure people of all ages and abilities can continue accessing programs and services at the centre.
Community grants can also support initiatives aimed at preventing gender-based violence, increasing women’s participation in the workforce and providing essential services for families.
The province says continued investment in the non-profit sector helps organizations plan for the future while responding to the needs identified by the people they serve.
For communities across Alberta, that local flexibility can be particularly important. From recreation facilities and cultural organizations to family supports and community spaces, non-profits often provide services and opportunities that become an integral part of daily life.
With Budget 2026 maintaining more than $38 million in funding through CFEP and CIP, Alberta’s government says the goal is to help community organizations not only address immediate needs, but build projects and services that will continue benefiting Albertans for years to come.
For more information about funding for non-profits, visit the Government of Alberta website at www.alberta.ca/funding-for-non-profits.
(Source: Government of Alberta)