Expression of Interest Deadline: September 2, 2025, at 5:00 pm MST 

Application Form Deadline: October 1, 2025, at 5:00 pm MST 

Grant Amount: Up to 25% of eligible operational expenses based on the Financial Statements of the organization’s most recently completed fiscal year 

The Operational Grant funds up to 25% of eligible operational expenses to enable museums, archives, and other heritage organizations to increase their capacity to research, preserve, interpret, and advocate for Edmonton’s heritage. Organizations must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) by September 2, 2025. If their EOI is approved, they will receive access to the Operational Grant application form.  

Eligibility 

To be eligible for an Operational Grant:  

• The organization must be registered as a non-profit society in Alberta for at least one year 
• The organization must be based in the City of Edmonton
• The organization must encourage public engagement in Edmonton’s heritage by operating a heritage facility that is open to the public for a minimum of 200 hours each year, and/or providing regular heritage programming to Edmontonians for a minimum of three years 
• The organization must demonstrate sound board and governance practices. Examples of unsound governance practices could include: 
  • Having a board member also in a paid staff role in the organization 
  • A lack of financial controls or review 
• The organization must provide year-end financial statements that follow generally accepted accounting principles for non-profit organizations 
• The organization must be up to date with final reports for all Edmonton Heritage Council (EHC) grants, including returning any unused grant funds 

Educational institutions, recreation centers, community leagues, health facilities, religious institutions, and government-owned and/or operated facilities are not eligible. Organizations that receive operational funding through other City of Edmonton grant programs are not eligible. 

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  

The Operational Grant will invest up to a maximum of 25% of expenses directly incurred by an organization’s internal operations, including: 

• Staff salary and wages 
• Liability and property insurance 
• Financial management costs 
• Administration 
• Rent, lease, or mortgage 
• Utilities 
• Property maintenance, security, and cleaning 
• Office supplies 
• Ongoing public programming costs 
• Digital systems maintenance costs including websites, databases, and other core digital assets 

Ineligible Expenses

• Fundraising costs 
• Costs related to general marketing and promotion initiatives 
• Capital costs, including, but not limited to: 
  • The purchase of property, equipment, artifacts, or digital assets 
  • Major construction, renovation, or restoration work 

How to Apply 

All applications must be submitted though this online portal. The EHC strongly encourages all potential applicants to contact staff at grants@edmontonheritage.ca prior to submission to confirm completeness of applications. 

Expression of Interest 

Organizations are required to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to receive access to the Operational Grant application form. The EOI will be reviewed, and the result will be sent to you within one week. If the EOI is approved, the organization will receive access to the application form and can apply for the Operational Grant. If the EOI is not approved, the organization cannot apply for the Operational Grant. 

Required Documents 

In addition to answering the questions in the application form, you will be required to upload copies of the following documentation: 

1. Proof of Registration as a non-profit organization (Provincial or Federal) 
2. Most recent Proof of Filing of your Annual Return (Provincial or Federal) 
3. Most up-to-date bylaws of the Society and amendments 
4. Most recent Annual Report or minutes from the most recent Annual General Meeting (AGM) (must be provided in English for jury review. Translation support available if required) 
5. Comparative Financial Statements for the organization’s most recently completed fiscal year 
   1. For grant requests of less than $30,000, comparative financial statements must be independently reviewed and/or signed by two board members other than the Treasurer, or as specified in the Society Bylaws 
   2. For grant requests of $30,000 or more, comparative financial statements must be independently audited and signed by a CPA with an auditor’s report 

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:  

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

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

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 and City of Edmonton in all promotional materials.  
• If applicable, submitting a final report to the EHC upon project completion and by the deadline identified in your grant agreement. 

Application Timeline  

The application process may take up to twelve (12) weeks from close of submissions to notification. All applicants will be notified of the final decision on their application. 

Application Evaluation  

The EHC reviews all applications for completeness and program eligibility. A qualified third party reviews the submitted financial statements and provides summary information to be included with the application package. A community peer jury, appointed by the EHC, evaluates all eligible applications and makes recommendations for funding.  

The jury bases their recommendations on the proven and potential merit of each application and each application’s alignment with Connections & Exchanges. 

The following Aims and Actions are prioritized in making funding decisions for the Operational Grant:  

Aim: Edmonton’s neighbourhoods come alive with meaningful and relevant opportunities for participation and engagement. 

• Action: Nurture cultural curiosity through planned and spontaneous heritage encounters that are personal and experiential. 
• Action: Develop new heritage interpretive experiences (digital and analog) to increase visibility, improve access, and broaden engagement. 

Aim: Edmontonians feel a sense of belonging and connectedness to people, places, and stories. 

• Action: Create and support opportunities for cultural connection and documentation that increases understanding between people, communities, and places. 
• Action: Adopt inclusive practices in museums, archives, and historical research and programming. 
• Action: Contribute actively to placemaking that includes cultural landscape, natural history, built history, object, language, and story. 

Aim: Dynamic exchanges of ideas and expertise occur between Edmonton’s heritage sector and the world. 

• Action: Partner with public agencies, private citizens, and private sector organizations to celebrate and raise the profile of Edmonton’s historic urban landscapes and sites of conscience. 

Grant Reduction Policy 

Operational Grant applicants, new and returning, acknowledge they are aware of and agree to the terms in the Operational Grant Reduction Policy. 

Final Reports  

Final Reports are not required for Operational Grants if the organization is applying for funding the following calendar year. If an organization received Operational Grant funding, but will not be applying again, please contact us at grants@edmontonheritage.ca. 

Taxation on Grants  

EHC is required by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to issue T4A slips to individuals who receive funds in excess of $500.00 per calendar year. For questions related to income and taxation, contact the Canada Revenue Agency or a qualified financial advisor. 

Questions & Feedback 

If you are experiencing issues with the portal or have any questions, please contact grants@edmontonheritage.ca. If you would like to receive feedback on your application, please email it to grants@edmontonheritage.ca. Draft applications can be submitted for feedback up to two weeks before the grant deadline.

PLEASE NOTE: applications cannot be changed or edited after the application is submitted. If you would like to receive feedback on your application, please save it, download it, and email it to grants@edmontonheritage.ca before submitting your application. 

Click here to book a virtual meeting to discuss your questions.