Funding opportunities out there

By Rob Vogt

The provincial government is offering quite a few funding opportunities for non-profit organizations and businesses.
Funding opportunities for non-profits and municipalities
• Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program, closes Sept. 15, for municipalities and non-profit funding for projects that enhance watershed resiliency to floods and droughts.
• Rangeland Sustainability Program, closes Sept. 17, promoting the conservation and long-term sustainability of Alberta’s rangelands.
• Alberta Blue Cross Build Together, closes Sept. 22, helps Albertans build spaces for active living in their communities.
• Safe and Active School Routes (Green municipal fund), preapplication deadline is Oct. 17.
• Richardson Foundation, more than $1 million annually to initiatives in communities where their customers and employees live and work.
• Rocky Mountain Equipment Community Investment, to support community and sector growth in agriculture and construction advocacy, youth development and safety. Additionally, the Right By You Ag Society Grant is currently open.
• Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta, closes Oct. 15.
Funding, Training and Programs to share with Businesses
• NEW Regional Tariff Relief Initiative, opens Sept. 15, offering support to help businesses respond to trade shocks, adapt to new realities, and build for the future.
• NEW Tourism Sprint Program – EOI due Sept. 12, offering funds for short-term projects focusing on innovative tourism products and new tourism investments.
• Alberta Manufacturing Productivity Grant, now open, provides up to $30,000 in matching funding (up to 50 per cent of eligible costs) to support small and medium-sized manufacturers across any sector looking to improve productivity and competitiveness. Eligibility criteria for the grant includes manufacturers having a physical location in Alberta which makes, refines, refurbishes, or processes a product or material, uses the equipment or technology from the grant in Alberta, and employs between five and 750 employees.
• Canada-Alberta Productivity Grant, opens Fall 2025, will effectively replace the previous Canada-Alberta Job Grant (CAJG) program. Employers can use the program to help their business increase efficiency and stimulate innovation, while equipping Albertans with the skills needed to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving economy.
• AFPA Food Futures Program, closes Sept. 30, offers 50-percent wage subsidies for post-secondary student hires.
• Green Municipal Fund – Tree Planting, closes Sept. 18, offers funding for ambitious and equitable tree planting projects.
• Green Industrial Facilities and Manufacturing Program, closes Sept. 26, offers $5 million in funding to help Canadian manufacturers implement energy efficiency and management solutions that reduce emissions and boost competitiveness.
• Protein Industries Canada, Strengthening the Canadian Supply Chain, closes Oct. 7, supports Canadian manufacturers and processors in reformulating or scaling up products using domestically produced ingredients, aiming to boost food security, sustainability, and competitiveness amid global trade uncertainties.
• On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF), open, supports agriculture producers to accelerate the adoption of beneficial management practices.
• Class 1 Learning Pathway Grant Program – onboarding/training for Class 1 drivers.