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 Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP)
- Major Community Facilities Program (MCFP)
- Community Initiatives Program (CIP)
- Wild Rose Foundation Quarterly Grants Program
- Historical Resources Foundation
- Community Spirit Donation Grant Program
- Family and Community Support Services (FCSS)
- Other Initiatives Program
- Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks and Wildlife Foundation
- Alberta Foundation for the Arts
- 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. Municipal funding can include:
- Family and Community Support Services (FCSS): Helps communities design and deliver social programs that are preventive in nature to promote and enhance well-being among individuals, families and communities. Seniors' organizations may be eligible for this funding. Through this unique funding partnership, the Alberta government provides 80 per cent of the funding and the participating municipality or Metis Settlement provides 20 per cent. The partnership allows local FCSS programs to determine how these funds should be used to best meet the needs of their communities.
- 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.
Funding available through the Alberta Lottery Fund includes:
- Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP): Provides matching grants to municipalities, First Nations, Metis Settlements and registered community non-profit groups to build, purchase, repair, renovate or otherwise improve related family and community wellness facilities.
- Major Community Facilities Program (MCFP): Provides funding to major community facilities, when funding requirements exceed the level of grants provided by CFEP. This two-year, $280 million program assists communities and non-profit groups with planning, upgrading and developing large community-use facilities and places to enhance community life and citizen well-being.
- Community Initiatives Program (CIP): Provides grants to support the enrichment and enhancement of project-based initiatives in areas such as community services, seniors’ services, libraries, arts and culture, sports, education, health and recreation.
- Wild Rose Foundation Quarterly Grants Program: Supports the volunteer sector by providing skill development and training opportunities, preserving, promoting and recognizing the value of volunteerism and by providing financial assistance to non-profit organizations for projects that are social and community service oriented.
- Historical Resources Foundation: Provides partial sponsorship for local heritage initiatives including historical building restoration, research and publications, educational projects, historical markers and area conservation.
Other Alberta government funding includes:
- Community Spirit Donation Grant 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.
- Family and Community Support Services (FCSS): Helps communities design and deliver social programs that are preventive in nature to promote and enhance well-being among individuals, families and communities. Seniors' organizations may be eligible for this funding. Through this unique funding partnership, the Alberta government provides 80 per cent of the funding and the participating municipality or Metis Settlement provides 20 per cent. The partnership allows local FCSS programs to determine how these funds should be used to best meet the needs of their communities.
- 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 Sport, Recreation, Parks and Wildlife Foundation: Supports Albertans working in the areas of sport, recreation, parks and wildlife for project and program related endeavours.
- Alberta Foundation for the Arts: Supports community non-profit organizations by providing a grant for specific arts projects.
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.
