Funding Opportunities for Seniors’ Organizations
Funding for seniors' organizations in Alberta is available from a variety of sources, including fundraising and grants. A printable 
fact sheet is also available.
- Fundraising
- Municipal Grants
- Provincial Grants
- Community Initiatives Program (CIP)
- Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP)
- Alberta Historical Resources Foundation
- Community Spirit Program
- Other Initiatives Program
- Alberta Foundation for the Arts
- Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks and Wildlife Foundation
- Family and Community Support Services (FCSS)
- Federal Grants
- Other Grants
There are many activities that eligible charitable organizations can use to fundraise, including bingos, casinos and raffles.
Grant Options
Grants are available to seniors’ organizations to assist with operational costs, recreation programs and historical preservation activities. Below are grant options by level of government and agency:
Check with your municipality to determine what municipal funding programs are available to seniors’ organizations in your community. Funding can include:
- Family and Community Support Services (FCSS): FCSS is a unique 80/20 funding partnership between the province, and municipalities or Métis settlement to provide social programs that are preventive in nature to promote and enhance well-being among individuals, families and communities. FCSS funding is allocated locally to best meet the needs of the community and its residents. Seniors’ organizations may be eligible for FCSS funding. For more information, please contact your local FCSS office. A listing of all FCSS programs and offices is available from the FCSS Association office at fcssaa-admin@telus.net.
- Municipal Sustainability Initiative – Conditional Operating Funding: Provides funding from the Alberta government to municipalities to address local operating priorities and municipal support of non-profit groups, including seniors’ organizations.
The Alberta government provides financial support to thousands of volunteer and community-based organizations. The Municipal Financial Assistance handbook provides a list of the major provincial programs available to municipalities and organizations. An online searchable list of the programs is also available.
The following funding programs are now available:
- Community Initiatives Program (CIP): Provides funds to enhance and enrich community initiatives throughout Alberta. There are three categories: project-based grants, community operating grants and international development grants.
- Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP): Assists communities with construction, renovation or redevelopment of community public-use facilities.
- Alberta Historical Resources Foundation: Provides partial sponsorship for local heritage initiatives including historical building restoration, research and publications, educational projects, historical markers and area conservation.
- Community Spirit Program: Provides grants based on cash donations received by non-profit organizations and Canada Revenue Agency-registered charities that provide direct services to Albertans and Alberta communities for philanthropic purposes. Grants can be used for operations, projects, programming and small capital projects.
- Other Initiatives Program: Supports worthy Alberta projects which cannot be funded under the criteria or existing funding levels of other Alberta Lottery Fund grant programs.
- Alberta Foundation for the Arts: Supports community non-profit organizations by providing a grant for specific arts projects.
Additional funding programs available:
- Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks and Wildlife Foundation: Supports Albertans working in the areas of sport, recreation, parks and wildlife for project and program related endeavours.
- Family and Community Support Services (FCSS): FCSS is a unique 80/20 funding partnership between the province, and municipalities or Métis settlement to provide social programs that are preventive in nature to promote and enhance well-being among individuals, families and communities. FCSS funding is allocated locally to best meet the needs of the community and its residents. Seniors’ organizations may be eligible for FCSS funding. For more information, please contact your local FCSS office. A listing of all FCSS programs and offices is available from the FCSS Association office at fcssaa-admin@telus.net.
The New Horizons for Seniors Program through the Government of Canada provides three types of funding to non-profit organizations:
- Capital Assistance Funding: Supports upgrading community facilities and equipment related to existing programs and activities for seniors.
- Elder Abuse Awareness Funding: Supports projects that raise awareness of elder abuse.
- Community Participation and Leadership Funding: Encourages seniors to contribute to their communities by sharing their skills, wisdom and experience, and helps to reduce isolation.
Other organizations also provide some funding to non-profit organizations to support programs which promote health or provide a social service. Check your telephone directory or do an Internet search to identify organizations that may have funding available for seniors’ organizations.
