- Events that are open to the public and are free or low cost (cost recovery only)
- Expenses directly tied to planning, implementation or evaluation of outcomes
- Honorariums for persons or groups where fees are not legally or traditionally required (for example: indigenous elders, presenters, non-vendor licensed service providers)
- Honorariums are limited to $200 per person
- Gifts for indigenous protocol, knowledge keepers and Elders
- Consumable expenses such as craft, program and event supplies
- Fees for performers or other service providers
- Non-consumable expenses that are maintained by the group but available for community use at free or low cost-recovery fees
- Food and non-alcoholic beverages for volunteers or event attendees
- Types of eligible events may include, but are not limited to, block parties, neighbourhood art, social, cultural or recreational-focused events
- Events must serve the geographic neighbourhood or community.
- Event venue rental is an eligible expense if it is not the organization’s regular programming or administrative space.
Funding opportunities to enhance neighbourhood liveability through connection events.
Neighbourhood Connections Grants, between $500- $2500, are available to support neighbourhood-wide events in which multiple community stakeholders collaborate to plan, implement and participate.
Application Intake Open
The City of Edmonton is now accepting applications for the Neighbourhood Connections Grant for events taking place from January 1-June 30, 2025.
There will be a second intake for July-December events later in the year.
The application deadline is April 2, 2025.
Grant Eligibility
Eligible applicants include:
- Registered organizations: such as community leagues, condo boards, homeowner associations
- Registered charities
- Businesses and Business Improvement Areas (BIA’s)
If you are an event organizer who is partnering with a fiscal agent the application must come from the fiscal agent.
Grant Timelines
April 2
Grant deadline
April 3-April 25
Review and assess applications
April 28-May 2
Applicants notified whether their grant request will receive funding
May 5-May 9
Funding letters signed
May 9 and beyond
Payments processed
Program Outcomes
Applications for Neighbourhood Connections Grants will be required to demonstrate the following outcomes:
Outcome #1
An increase in community connections at a neighbourhood level.
Outcome #2
Address at least 1 of the following program outcomes:
- Empowerment and engagement of citizens to become community leaders, and the strengthening of existing community leadership
- Enhancement of community safety
- The increase in community connections and inclusion opportunities
- Celebration of Indigenous culture
- Deepening of multicultural connections
- Creation and promotion of beautiful and clean spaces
- Advancement of the arts in the community
- Animation of City of Edmonton parkland
Eligible Projects and Expenses
Ineligible Projects and Expenses
- Events that are private or charge entrance fees to generate revenue, unless it is a cost recovery model
- Events that conflict with the City Plan Intentions, ConnectEdmonton Strategy or do not meet 2 or more Neighbourhood Services Funding Program outcomes
- Capital and Infrastructure projects or expenditures (for example: salaries, operating expenses, facility maintenance)
- Ongoing operating expenses (for example: staff salaries, insurance, legal/accounting fees, facility operating expenses, facility maintenance)
- Payment for preparation of funding application
- Events that are deemed to be a high risk for illegal activity or are illegal by virtue of the planned activities or programming
- Gift cards, gratuities and prizes
- Alcohol, cannabis or associated items
- Food and non-alcoholic beverages for City staff or paid employees of the lead organization that is supporting the initiative
- Non-consumable expenses that are for commercial use, rented out or private property
- Events with a City-wide focus that do not serve a specific geographic neighbourhood/community
- Events with a start date outside the specified date range for the intake period
- Events must be completed within a 12-month time frame unless otherwise granted in the funding approval letter.
- The funding amount will not exceed $2500 and is dependent on event scope and criteria.
- Applicants may not resubmit or appeal an application for the same event until they have received written notification of approval or denial of their current funding application.
- Recipients of funds are to acknowledge the City of Edmonton wherever possible and appropriate. The City of Edmonton visual identity standards are available upon request and recognition of funding can be achieved in a variety of ways:
- News release or submitted article to local or regional media
- Social media channels such as X, Facebook and blog postings
- Organization’s website or newsletter
- Signage, either temporary or permanent
Please note: Incorrect financial or organizational contact information can result in a delay or inability to process your grant request. Your organization can avoid delays by:
- Updating your Electronic Transfer Information through the Vendor EFT Registration Form. Email the form to vendormaintenance@edmonton.ca and cc: grants@edmonton.ca.
- Updating your account information. Choose 1 of the 3 options:
- Complete the Account Update Form
- Contact the grants office at 780-496-4933
- Email grants@edmonton.ca
The funds received shall not be used for a purpose beyond the objectives outlined by this grant. The applicant must demonstrate fiscal responsibility and manage its finances. Should an applicant make false representations or otherwise fail to meet any of the requirements of the grant to the City’s satisfaction, they may be subject to fund repayment. The applicant may also be ineligible for future funding or other procurement with the City of Edmonton until the outstanding dispute has been resolved.
Submit Your Application
Note: This grant program uses the new Community Investment Grant Portal for application intake and reporting. For questions or additional support, please contact grants@edmonton.ca.
Applications close on Wednesday April 2, 2025.
The City of Edmonton assesses the Neighbourhood Connections Grant applications on the following criteria. All applicants will be contacted with a grant decision.
- The event aligns to the organization’s mandate
- The leading organization demonstrates a capacity to implement the event
- The event aligns with 1 or more of the Neighbourhood Funding Program outcomes and demonstrates benefit to or connection within the neighbourhood(s)
- Event expenses and activities are feasible for the timelines given and an expense sheet (budget) is provided
- The organization or event planner demonstrates they will engage with individuals and groups beyond direct membership.
- The organization or event planner demonstrates they are engaged with other partners and neighbourhood stakeholders in the strategic direction, planning and implementation for the project. A partner has a shared interest in the outcome of the work and invests more than money to help support the event
All Neighbourhood Connections fund recipients must submit a Final Report within 60 days of the completion of the Event.
Your Final Report will state how the funds were used. Fund recipients must demonstrate how the initiative met one or more of the Neighbourhood Services Funding Program Outcomes.
Note: Fund recipient eligibility for future funding through the City of Edmonton is dependent on a complete Final Report verified as received by the Grants Office.
To prepare for filling out the Final Report Form please gather:
- Information on how your event met the goals for your neighbourhood
- Examples of your advertising and marketing materials and posts that shared your findings or learnings
- Have your copy of the Expense Sheet (budget) ready to include actual revenue and expenses. This is the budget you submitted with your Connections Grant application
- Copies of receipts
- Number of event attendees
- Photos (optional) - ensure you have permission to share identifiable photos prior to submission. The Model Release Form must be used for City informational and promotional purposes.
If you do not have a copy of the Financial Report (budget) submitted with your application, please call the Grants Office for assistance at 780-496-4933. Otherwise, you can create a new sheet with the actual expense portion completed.
To prepare for filling out the Final Report Form please gather:
- Information on how your event met the goals for your neighbourhood
- Examples of your advertising and marketing material and posts that shared your findings or learnings
- Have your copy of the Expense Sheet (budget) ready to include actual revenue and expenses. This is the budget you submitted with your Connections Grant application
- Copies of receipts
- Number of event attendees
- Photos (optional) - ensure you have permission to share identifiable photos prior to submission. The Model Release Form must be used for City informational and promotional purposes.
Note: If you do not have a copy of the Financial Report (budget) submitted with your application, please call the Grants Office for assistance at 780-496-4933. Otherwise, you can create a new sheet with the actual expense portion completed.