HCIP – Project Accelerator Grant

Deadline: Intake currently closed

How to Apply

Applications are now closed. The deadline to apply was October 7 at 4PM.

We have launched a new online grants portal, streamlining applications and enhancing accessibility for heritage funding programs. All applications must be submitted though our online portal. If you are experiencing issues with the portal please contact grants@edmontonheritage.ca.

APPLY NOW

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 and 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.

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.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a Project Accelerator Grant:

  • The applicant must be an individual, registered non-profit society, or collective of individuals whose residence or location of work is in the Edmonton Metropolitan Region boundaries.
  • The applicant must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident over the age of 18.
  • The applicant cannot have already been awarded an HCIP Project Accelerator Grant during the current calendar year.
  • The applicant must be up to date with final reports for other HCIP-funded work, including returning and unused grant funds. Applicants who have been granted extensions on other HCIP-funded work are also not eligible to apply.
  • The project must explore Edmonton’s heritage and provide a demonstrated benefit to Edmonton residents.
  • The project must have clear start and end dates with a specific scope of activities distinct from ongoing operations or programs.

Educational institutions and government owned and/or operated facilities are not eligible applicants. Individuals employed by these institutions are also ineligible, unless they can demonstrate that the project is outside of their professional role within the organization and of value in the broader heritage sector.

The following projects are no longer eligible for funding through this grant stream:

  • Organizational Anniversary events
  • Capital Projects or Purchases
  • Professional Development

Eligible Expenses

The Project Accelerator Grant invests up to $10,000.00 towards eligible project expenses. All costs related to planning, execution, and promotion of your project are eligible with the exception of:

  • Capital purchases (ex. computer equipment, cameras, tools)
  • Costs related to fundraising efforts
  • Expenses that have been incurred prior to notification of funding
  • General subsistence expenses (ex. meals, rent/mortgage, utilities, etc.)

Application Evaluation

The EHC reviews all applications for completeness and program eligibility. A community peer jury, appointed by the EHC, evaluates all eligible applications and makes recommendations for funding. 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 Aims and Actions are prioritized in making funding decisions for the Project Accelerator grant.

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

→Action: Create and support opportunities for cultural connection and documentation that increases understanding between people, communities, and places.→ Action: Contribute actively to placemaking that includes cultural landscape, natural history, built history, object, language, and story.

Aim: Conditions are in place to remove barriers for all Edmontonians to participate in cultural experiences.

→ Action: Expand and target learning opportunities to build sector capacity and awareness in order to remove barriers.

Aim: Diverse platforms for collaboration exist within Edmonton that allow artistic and heritage communities to connect, create, and collaborate.

→ Action: Connect individuals, groups, and organizations with the people, skills, networks, and resources they need to do high-quality, creative,and innovative heritage work.

Funding decisions are based on alignment with evaluation criteria, the number of requests received, and consideration to support for a range of projects that tell diverse Edmonton stories.

PLEASE NOTE: Requests for funding regularly exceed the dollars available. Not every eligible application will receive funding and the amounts approved for each project may be less than the amount requested.

Application Timeline

The application process from the application deadline to the notification of funding can take up to eight (8) weeks. Projects that begin prior to notification of grant results are not eligible for funding. Eligible projects cannot begin until eight (8) weeks after the application deadline and must be complete within one (1) year of notification of funding.

Grants are Income

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.

Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted

For more information contact: grants@edmontonheritage.ca