The Cultural Connection Fund (CCF) provides up to $4,000 to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit individuals, small groups, and collectives to help remove barriers to participation in ceremony, programs, and learning opportunities that enhance applicants' cultural knowledge and connection. The program aims to foster cultural revitalization, intergenerational knowledge transmission, and community well-being.
Applicant & Project Eligibility
To be eligible for a Cultural Connection Fund Grant:
You must be a First Nations, Métis, and/or Inuit individual, an Indigenous-led small-group, or an Indigenous-led collective.
If you are applying as an individual, you must be over the age of 18.
You cannot already have been awarded a Cultural Connection Fund Grant during the calendar year.
The cultural connection experience must explore Indigenous heritage in some way.
The cultural connection experience must have clear start and end dates with a specific scope of activities.
The cultural connection experience must demonstrate connection to Edmonton/Amiskwaciwâskahikan in some way.
Your residence, location of work, or proposed project is in Edmonton and/or Treaty 6 territory.
Indigenous peoples living on or off First Nations reserves and Métis settlements in Treaty 6 territory are encouraged to apply.
The following are not eligible for funding through this grant stream:
Individuals, small groups, and collectives who have past due final reports for other FIRE or HCIP grants.
Organizations and registered non-profits.
For-profit businesses.
Cultural connection opportunities that start before the grant application is submitted.
Initiatives that are not focused on Indigenous heritage in some way.
Organizational anniversary projects or events
Fundraising projects or events
Professional development
Projects 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 FIRE@edmontonheritage.ca if you have questions about this)
Cultural Connection Fund Grants exclude organizations, non-profits, and large groups. If you are a part of a larger group or organization, we encourage you to look at our FIRE Impact Grant
Cultural Connection Fund Grants exclude educational institutions and government-owned and operated facilities. Individuals employed by these institutions are eligible if they can demonstrate that the project is outside of their professional role within the organization.
Eligible Expenses
All costs related to the planning and execution of your project are eligible except for:
Expenses that have been incurred prior to notification of funding
Fundraising expenses or events
Professional development
Projects 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 FIRE@edmontonheritage.ca if you have questions about this)
Requests for funding regularly exceed the dollars available. Not every eligible application will receive funding, and the amounts approved may be less than the amount requested. Particularly for opportunities that start before notification of funding, applicants are reminded that funding is not guaranteed. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
The Visiting Way
The Cultural Connection fund follows Keeoukaywin, or the Visiting Way, and allows applicants to apply through an in-person visit with the FIRE grants coordinator over tea. Your application will still be submitted through the online grants portal which will give you the option to apply with a visiting application or through a written application or video/audio upload.
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 Funding Indigenous Resurgence in Edmonton (FIRE) Program, 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.
We offer Cultural Connection Fund recipients:
Ongoing support – our experienced team offers support throughout the entire application process
Connections – we will facilitate connections with other grantees, professionals, and organizations that will advance your project
Promotion – we will use our platforms to share your story, spotlight your work, and inspire others
Continued relationship – we will continue working with you to help build your capacity to apply for other grants, such as the EHC’s Heritage Community Investment Program (HCIP) grants
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 project and special events, press, and media opportunities.
Acknowledging the EHC in all promotional materials.
Submitting a final report to the EHC upon project completion and by the deadline identified in your grant agreement.
Application Timeline
Applications are reviewed monthly at the end of the month. Notification of funding can take up to six (6) weeks following the monthly review (e.g. if an application is submitted in mid-April, and the notification would be sent by the end of May). The opportunity/experience must be completed within one (1) year of notification of funding.
Application Evaluation
The EHC reviews all applications for completeness and program eligibility. An Indigenous review jury will evaluate all eligible applications and select the successful recipients. The Cultural Connection Fund Review Jury will be made up of two Indigenous EHC staff members and one Indigenous reviewer chosen from a diverse pool of Indigenous jurors.
Funding decisions are based on alignment with evaluation criteria, the number of requests received, and intention to support a range of projects that tell diverse stories in Edmonton. The jury bases their recommendations on each project’s potential value and impact on Edmonton’s heritage community while considering each application’s alignment with Connections & Exchanges.
The following criteria are utilized in making funding decisions for the Cultural Connection Fund:
Relationality:
The initiative fits into the larger heritage ecosystem of Edmonton and Treaty 6
Proper consultation was done with Elders/Knowledge Keepers involved in the activity
The Elders and/or Knowledge Keepers involved are appropriate and well-suited
Resurgence:
The initiative is responsive to community need
The initiative has the potential to reach and engage residents
Impact:
Indigenous people are the primary beneficiaries of this activity
The activity will have a lasting impact on Indigenous people in Edmonton and/or Treaty 6
Expectations:
The initiative is feasible and well-defined
The applicant has proven their ability and readiness to undertake this activity
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.
Where Can I Learn More?
Would you like to discuss your grant application or have questions about your eligibility? We offer support with budgeting, project descriptions, form questions, required materials, and eligibility. Contact us at FIRE@edmontonheritage.ca.
Find the answer to your question in our Cultural Connection Fund FAQs
Or check out this short video for helpful hints on how to make an outstanding budget for your application:
Cultural Connection Fund (FIRE)
The Cultural Connection Fund (CCF) provides up to $4,000 to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit individuals, small groups, and collectives to help remove barriers to participation in ceremony, programs, and learning opportunities that enhance applicants' cultural knowledge and connection. The program aims to foster cultural revitalization, intergenerational knowledge transmission, and community well-being.
Applicant & Project Eligibility
To be eligible for a Cultural Connection Fund Grant:
You must be a First Nations, Métis, and/or Inuit individual, an Indigenous-led small-group, or an Indigenous-led collective.
If you are applying as an individual, you must be over the age of 18.
You cannot already have been awarded a Cultural Connection Fund Grant during the calendar year.
The cultural connection experience must explore Indigenous heritage in some way.
The cultural connection experience must have clear start and end dates with a specific scope of activities.
The cultural connection experience must demonstrate connection to Edmonton/Amiskwaciwâskahikan in some way.
Your residence, location of work, or proposed project is in Edmonton and/or Treaty 6 territory.
Indigenous peoples living on or off First Nations reserves and Métis settlements in Treaty 6 territory are encouraged to apply.
The following are not eligible for funding through this grant stream:
Individuals, small groups, and collectives who have past due final reports for other FIRE or HCIP grants.
Organizations and registered non-profits.
For-profit businesses.
Cultural connection opportunities that start before the grant application is submitted.
Initiatives that are not focused on Indigenous heritage in some way.
Organizational anniversary projects or events
Fundraising projects or events
Professional development
Projects 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 FIRE@edmontonheritage.ca if you have questions about this)
Cultural Connection Fund Grants exclude organizations, non-profits, and large groups. If you are a part of a larger group or organization, we encourage you to look at our FIRE Impact Grant
Cultural Connection Fund Grants exclude educational institutions and government-owned and operated facilities. Individuals employed by these institutions are eligible if they can demonstrate that the project is outside of their professional role within the organization.
Eligible Expenses
All costs related to the planning and execution of your project are eligible except for:
Expenses that have been incurred prior to notification of funding
Fundraising expenses or events
Professional development
Projects 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 FIRE@edmontonheritage.ca if you have questions about this)
Requests for funding regularly exceed the dollars available. Not every eligible application will receive funding, and the amounts approved may be less than the amount requested. Particularly for opportunities that start before notification of funding, applicants are reminded that funding is not guaranteed. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
The Visiting Way
The Cultural Connection fund follows Keeoukaywin, or the Visiting Way, and allows applicants to apply through an in-person visit with the FIRE grants coordinator over tea. Your application will still be submitted through the online grants portal which will give you the option to apply with a visiting application or through a written application or video/audio upload.
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 Funding Indigenous Resurgence in Edmonton (FIRE) Program, 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.
We offer Cultural Connection Fund recipients:
Ongoing support – our experienced team offers support throughout the entire application process
Connections – we will facilitate connections with other grantees, professionals, and organizations that will advance your project
Promotion – we will use our platforms to share your story, spotlight your work, and inspire others
Continued relationship – we will continue working with you to help build your capacity to apply for other grants, such as the EHC’s Heritage Community Investment Program (HCIP) grants
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 project and special events, press, and media opportunities.
Acknowledging the EHC in all promotional materials.
Submitting a final report to the EHC upon project completion and by the deadline identified in your grant agreement.
Application Timeline
Applications are reviewed monthly at the end of the month. Notification of funding can take up to six (6) weeks following the monthly review (e.g. if an application is submitted in mid-April, and the notification would be sent by the end of May). The opportunity/experience must be completed within one (1) year of notification of funding.
Application Evaluation
The EHC reviews all applications for completeness and program eligibility. An Indigenous review jury will evaluate all eligible applications and select the successful recipients. The Cultural Connection Fund Review Jury will be made up of two Indigenous EHC staff members and one Indigenous reviewer chosen from a diverse pool of Indigenous jurors.
Funding decisions are based on alignment with evaluation criteria, the number of requests received, and intention to support a range of projects that tell diverse stories in Edmonton. The jury bases their recommendations on each project’s potential value and impact on Edmonton’s heritage community while considering each application’s alignment with Connections & Exchanges.
The following criteria are utilized in making funding decisions for the Cultural Connection Fund:
Relationality:
The initiative fits into the larger heritage ecosystem of Edmonton and Treaty 6
Proper consultation was done with Elders/Knowledge Keepers involved in the activity
The Elders and/or Knowledge Keepers involved are appropriate and well-suited
Resurgence:
The initiative is responsive to community need
The initiative has the potential to reach and engage residents
Impact:
Indigenous people are the primary beneficiaries of this activity
The activity will have a lasting impact on Indigenous people in Edmonton and/or Treaty 6
Expectations:
The initiative is feasible and well-defined
The applicant has proven their ability and readiness to undertake this activity
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.
Where Can I Learn More?
Would you like to discuss your grant application or have questions about your eligibility? We offer support with budgeting, project descriptions, form questions, required materials, and eligibility. Contact us at FIRE@edmontonheritage.ca.
Find the answer to your question in our Cultural Connection Fund FAQs
Or check out this short video for helpful hints on how to make an outstanding budget for your application: