Black Heritage Fund - Grant Guidelines

The Black Heritage Fund (BHF) is a flexible, equity-centered grant that provides financial support to community-led initiatives that support and uplift African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) heritage in Edmonton and align with Connections & Exchanges: A 10-Year Plan to Transform Arts and Heritage in Edmonton.    

This grant is administered by Edmonton Heritage Council’s grants team and supports ACB heritage gatherings and events within the City of Edmonton. BHF funding is separate from project grant streams and operates under distinct eligibility and approval procedures.  If you are seeking funding for a heritage project, please consider applying for the Research and Development Grant or Heritage Project Grant. 

Examples of eligible Black Heritage Fund initiatives may include (but are not limited to):  

• Community gatherings. 
• Workshop and education sessions. 
• A community organization planning an event to share stories from Elders to youth. 
• An individual planning an initiative that will bring people together to share cultural experiences and traditions (history, heritage, etc). 
• A collective hosting an upcoming event to exhibit the launch of a heritage-based documentary. 
• Hosting a speaking event for the community.  
• The exhibition of a project previously funded through other EHC grant streams. 

Applicant & Initiative Eligibility 

To be eligible for the Black Heritage Fund:  

• The applicant must be an individual, collective of individuals, or registered non-profit society located in the Edmonton Metropolitan Region boundaries. 
• The initiative must explore African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) heritage in Edmonton (based on the Corporate Boundary) and provide a demonstrated benefit to Edmonton residents.  
• Initiatives that are focused on the creation of art may be better suited to apply to arts funders. 
• The initiative must have clear start and end dates. The completed initiative must include a public sharing component. 
• Initiatives that take place outside of Black History Month and focus on ACB heritage are eligible. 
• The applicant must submit a complete and balanced budget using the Budget Form template.  
• The applicant must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident 18 years or older.  
• The applicant must be up to date with final reports for all EHC grants.  

The following are not eligible for funding through this grant stream:  

• Organizational history or anniversary events (unless the event has a strong public-facing heritage content beyond the organization itself) 
• Internal capacity-building or professional development for heritage organizations (applicants may consider applying to the Career Development Grant instead) 
• Fundraising projects or events 
• Capital projects (e.g. construction, renovation, restoration, the purchase of property or equipment) 
• Professional development 
• Edmonton Heritage Festival pavilions  
• Events that have occurred prior to the funding date 
• Initiatives that are not focused on the ACB heritage and history of Edmonton 
• Costs related to marketing or promotional campaigns that are not tied to the heritage content of the application  
• Initiatives that have received funding through other City of Edmonton grant programs, including the Edmonton Arts Council, to cover the same budgeted expenses (please contact us at grants@edmontonheritage.ca if you have questions about this) 

The Black Heritage Fund is for events and initiatives. Projects are not eligible. If you have a project that you are developing or that you would like to complete within the year please look at our HCIP project grant streams.  

Educational institutions and government owned and/or operated facilities are not eligible applicants. Individuals employed by these institutions must demonstrate that the initiative is unrelated to their employment to be eligible. 

Please note that heavily relying on AI to write applications can deter from an application’s success due to the highly generalized content generated. If you utilize AI to support your application, we recommend that you add more specific details and ensure that information is consistent throughout the application.  

Requests for funding regularly exceed the dollars available. Not every eligible application will receive funding. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. 

 Eligible Expenses  

All costs related to the planning and execution of your initiative are eligible except for:  

• Capital purchases (e.g. items that would be kept and utilized beyond this initiative, including but not limited to computer equipment, cameras, tools, machines)  
• Costs related to fundraising efforts  
• Expenses that have been incurred prior to notification of funding  
• General subsistence expenses (e.g. meals, rent/mortgage, utilities)  

Application Timeline  

Applications will open on November 10th, 2026 at 9 AM and will close on November 29th, 2026 at 11:59 PM (Midnight). Applications must be completed and submitted on or before the deadline to be considered for funding.  

The review process from the application deadline to the notification of funding will take no more than eight (8) weeks. Initiatives that begin prior to notification of grant results are not eligible for funding. Eligible initiatives cannot begin until eight (8) weeks after the application deadline and must be completed within one (1) year of notification of funding.   

Application Evaluation  

The EHC reviews all applications for completeness and program eligibility. A community peer jury will be appointed by the EHC, City of Edmonton, and Edmonton Community Foundation.  

The community peer jury, made up of ACB jurors from different communities and backgrounds, will evaluate all eligible applications and make recommendations for funding.  

The following criteria are utilized in making funding decisions for the Black Heritage Fund: 

Edmonton Integration and Community Relations 

• Applicant demonstrates connection to ACB heritage work and community in Edmonton  
• Application demonstrates feasibility and ability to undertake initiative 

Benefits of Heritage Gathering Event/Initiative 

• Applicant acknowledges and addresses barriers to participation 
• Initiative allows for connection and collaboration in Edmonton’s heritage community 
• Initiative creates opportunities for connections and understanding between peoples, communities, and places 

Equity Priority 

• Initiative centers equity seeking communities and addresses underrepresented voices 
• Applicant considers how women, elders, children, the LGBTQ+ community and other equity seeking communities may participate. 

Community Impact and Need 

• The initiative is responsive to community need 
• The initiative has the potential to reach and engage residents 

Funding decisions are based on alignment with evaluation criteria, the number of requests received, and intention to support a range of initiatives that tell diverse stories in Edmonton. The jury bases their recommendations on each initiative’s potential value and impact on Edmonton’s heritage community while considering each application’s alignment with Connections & Exchanges. 

In-Kind Communications Support 

The Edmonton Heritage Council may offer Black Heritage Fund Recipients in-kind communications support. This can include:  

• Social media promotion and amplification   
• Inclusion in EHC newsletters or other digital communications   
• Basic graphic design assistance for promotional materials 

Your Commitment  

As grant applicants, you bring expertise and creativity to connect people and enhance heritage in Edmonton. In receiving a grant, you commit to:  

• Keeping the EHC informed on the progress of your initiative and special events, press, and media opportunities.  
• Acknowledging the EHC and other funders in all promotional materials. Logos will be provided. 
• Submitting a final report to the EHC upon initiative completion and by the deadline identified in your grant agreement. 

Our Commitment  

The Edmonton Heritage Council (EHC) is committed to connecting people with the stories of our city. We provide leadership, support, and programs to help Edmontonians research, preserve, interpret, and advocate for their heritage.  

Through the Heritage Community Investment Program (HCIP), EHC is committed to achieving the aims of Connections & Exchanges: A 10-Year Plan to Transform Arts and Heritage in Edmonton alongside its partners: the City of Edmonton, Edmonton Arts Council, and Arts Habitat Edmonton.  

The EHC also commits to:  

• Establishing and maintaining mutually respectful relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.  
• Indigenous peoples’ inherent right to self-determination, cultural independence, and agency.  
• Ensuring equitable processes are used when making granting decisions.  

We ask those applying to this program to join us in these essential commitments in their work. 

Taxation on Grants  

Grants are taxable income. EHC is required by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to issue T4A slips to individuals who receive more than $500 in funding per calendar year. For questions related to income and taxation, contact the CRA or a qualified financial advisor.