Funding / Grants

There is a range of grant programs that may provide funding for local trail projects; you will find a list of some of them with related links below.

It is recommended that you carefully read the information and requirements for each grant to confirm eligibility and availability.

Numerous others grant programs are run by foundation, non-profit organizations and private companies.  You are invited to search these on your own.

Trans Canada Trail Funding

Trail groups that are developing sections of the Trans Canada Trail in Alberta may be able to access grant funding from Trans Canada Trail. For information on how to submit a grant application, go to TCT ‘s Trail Funding Opportunities website or contact Alberta TrailNet.

Arts, Culture and Status of Women

Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP) provides financial assistance to eligible organizations with the renewal, expansion, purchase, of development of public-use community facilities and has two funding streams:

• CFEP Small – for projects up to $125,000.
• CFEP Large – for projects $125,000 and up to $1 million. 

Community Initiatives Program  aims to foster healthy, vibrant communities across Alberta.  The program is to support non-profit organizations contribute to their communities and to create opportunities for Albertans to engage with their communities.  There are 2 streams:

• CIP Project-Based grant stream supports projects that enhance and enrich communities throughout Alberta by providing assistance to not-profit organizations for new programs, existing program enhancements, community events, gender equity projects, 2SLGBTQQIA+ events and new programs, technology and portable equipment.
•  CIP Operating grant stream supports eligible non-profit organizations in their ability to operate and deliver services to the vulnerable and disadvantaged.

The Other Initiatives Program (OIP) supports community-based projects that fall outside the scope of other Community Grant funding streams. Support through OIP is intended to achieve the following broad outcomes:

• support community driven goals that have a public benefit
• stimulate economic activity across the province

The Enhanced Capacity Advancement Program (ECAP) helps to advance and strengthen the non-profit and voluntary sector by providing multi-year operational funding for up to 3 years to Alberta-based non-profit organizations that have a primary mandate and proven ability to:

• build the capacity of other non-profit organizations in Alberta, and
• strengthen and advance the capacity of Alberta’s non-profit and voluntary sector as a whole.

The Heritage Preservation Partnership Program includes the following grants:

• Historic resource conservation grants
• Heritage awareness, publication and research grants

• • Heritage markers, plaques, cairns, monuments, and interpretive displays that provide substantial information about Alberta’s history are some of the eligible projects/expenses.

Forestry and Parks

Alberta’s Public Land Trails Grant Program was established in 2022 to enhance recreation management on designated public lands trails on provincial Crown land (with the exception of land within provincial parks, wildland provincial parks and ecological reserves) by providing funding opportunities for recreation partners.   

Municipal Affairs

Introduced in 2024-2, the Local Government Fiscal Framework has two streams:

• The LGFF Capital Funding Stream provides funding to municipalities and Metis Settlements to support projects that develop, improve, maintain or otherwise alter infrastructure assets in Alberta communities, to facilitate the resiliency and livability of local communities, and to support local and provincial economic activities.
• The LGFF Operating Funding Stream supports local governments by funding capacity building activities, municipal services and planning activities. In addition, local governments have the flexibility to use their operating funding to assist non-profit organizations to carry out eligible activities.

Alberta Community Partnership (ACP) helps municipalities by providing support for regional collaboration and capacity building initiatives.  Eligible projects include the development of regional plans, service delivery frameworks and regional service delivery efficiencies, assistance with intermunicipal conflict resolution and intermunicipal negotiations, funding for recruiting training and retaining municipal employees.

Tourism and Sport

Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation grant programs provide project, operating, association development and other funding.

Transportation and Economic Corridors

Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program (STIP) – For Municipalities – grant funding that provides financial assistance to rural and smaller urban municipalities to develop and maintain key local transportation infrastructure.  Review the detailed STIP Guidelines.

Economy and Investment

Agriculture and Irrigation
The Small Community Opportunity Program provides grants of $20,000 to $100,000 to build capacity in agriculture, small business and local economic development.