The Heritage Community Investment Program (HCIP) offers grants to support Edmonton’s heritage sector. The Heritage Project Grant provides up to $20,000 for projects that preserve, research, document, and share Edmonton’s history, requiring a public sharing component such as a publication, presentation, or exhibition.
Other HCIP grants include the Operational Grant, supporting heritage organizations’ sustainability, and the Research & Development Grant, funding projects that are in the planning, research, and development phase that focus on the history and heritage of Edmonton
We’re here to help!
If you have any questions or if you are unsure of which grant to apply for, please contact grants@edmontonheritage.ca.
Heritage Community Investment Program
FAQs
What is the difference between the Research & Development Grant and the Heritage Project Grant?
Both grants seek to fund projects that focus on the history, culture, and heritage of Edmonton to benefit our local community. The Heritage Project Grant provides up to $20,000 for projects that will be completed and presented to the public within a year of receiving funding. If your project is in development and will not be completed within a year, then you can consider applying for the Research & Development Grant instead. The Research & Development Grant provides up to $10,000 for projects that are in the planning, research, and development phases. This grant does not fund the completion, presentation, or publication phases of a project.
My project contains elements of both research and presentation. Should I apply for the Research & Development Grant or the Heritage Project Grant?
If your project budget contains any elements of publication, presentation, or other public sharing components, and you plan to complete and present your project within a year, your project should be submitted to the Heritage Project Grant.
We have received Heritage Community Investment Program (HCIP) funding in the past for a phase of research, planning, and development of a project. Can we receive a Research & Development Grant to continue a project that has already received HCIP funding?
Yes. If your application demonstrates a new phase of work that builds upon completed prior phases, you can receive multiple Research & Development Grants for the same project. You must not have any open or outstanding grants with the Edmonton Heritage Council (EHC), and you must be up to date with final reports for all previous EHC grants.
Can someone review my application and give me feedback before I submit it?
Yes. If you would like to receive feedback on your draft application, please email grants@edmontonheritage.ca. Draft applications can be reviewed for feedback up to two weeks before the grant deadline. Please note that applications cannot be changed or edited after the application is submitted. If you would like to receive feedback on your application, please email grants@edmontonheritage.ca before submitting your application.
What if my project expenses are greater than my revenues, or vice versa?
Your budget must balance, meaning your total revenues and total expenses match. If the expenses are greater than your revenues, or vice versa, this is an unbalanced budget, and the application may be deemed ineligible for funding. A balanced budget shows that your project is feasible. If your expenses are higher than your revenues, you will have to think of other revenue sources you can include in your budget or scale back on your expenses. If your revenues are higher than your expenses, then your grant funding request should be lower because we do not provide surplus grant funding. Here is a sample of a balanced budget. Please contact us at grants@edmontonheritage.ca if you need support in developing a balanced budget.
My project has received funding from the Edmonton Arts Council (EAC). Am I eligible to apply for Edmonton Heritage Council (EHC) funding for the same project?
Projects that have received funding through other City of Edmonton grant programs, including the Edmonton Arts Council, are eligible for Edmonton Heritage Council funding only if you are applying to fund a different part of your project that specifically relates to heritage work or practice. You are not eligible to receive funding twice for the same budgeted project expenses. If you apply for both EAC funding and EHC funding for the same project and the same budgeted items, and you are successful in both applications, you must decline one of the grants. If you apply for both EAC funding and EHC funding for the same project and different budgeted items, and you are successful in both applications, you can accept both grants.
My project incorporates both art and heritage. Should I apply to the EAC or EHC?
Heritage and the arts create rich cultural experiences for our city. We recognize that sometimes, arts and heritage practices can be intertwined. If you identify primarily as a heritage practitioner and your project seeks to research, preserve, interpret, and advocate for heritage in Edmonton, we encourage you to apply for Edmonton Heritage Council (EHC) funding. If you identify primarily as an artist and your project incorporates an artistic practice, we recommend that you apply for Edmonton Arts Council (EAC) funding. Since both the EHC and EAC are funded by the City of Edmonton, receiving funding from one organization may impact your eligibility to receive funding from the other.
How does the Edmonton Heritage Council define heritage?
Heritage is defined as the range of Edmonton’s unique, diverse and shared historical experiences, cultural memories, living traditions, and identities; this includes monuments, objects, documents, landscapes, and natural heritage.
Can I see the projects that were funded in the past?
You can see our past grant recipients here: https://edmontonheritage.ca/past-grant-recipients
My project will be shared with some members of the public but won’t be fully published until a later date. Should I apply for the Research & Development Grant or the Heritage Project Grant?
If the purpose of your project’s public sharing is to get feedback on your work to support the finalization of your project in the future, it is eligible for the Research & Development Grant.
Can I submit the same application and project to the Research & Development Grant and the Heritage Project Grant in the same intake year?
No, you cannot submit the same application and same project to both grants in the same intake year. You should choose one grant to apply for.
Can I include payment for myself in the budget?
Yes, you can and should include payment for yourself as a project coordinator. We want to ensure that you are compensated for your work. Determining appropriate compensation can be challenging, so we recommend referring to the CARFAC Fee Schedule. This can help you determine fair rates for yourself, and anyone else involved in your project. Resource: https://www.carfac.ca/en/carfac-raav-minimum-recommended-fee-schedule
I am an artist and my project is focused on creating art. Would my project be eligible for EHC funding?
Projects that are focused on the creation of art may be better suited to apply to arts funders, like the Edmonton Arts Council, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, or Canada Council of the Arts.
Is EHC's grant funding considered taxable income?
Yes. 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.