Council Strategic Initiative Fund Guidelines
Update on funding
COVID-19 has changed requirements and processes for festivals and events that require City permits or will be on City land. As a result, the Council Strategic Initiatives Fund (CSIF) is not accepting applications for funding until further notice.
The Council Strategic Initiatives Fund (CSIF) assists one-time events or the first of a regularly occurring event, which encourage innovation and have the potential to support or contribute to the directives of Council.
Applying for funding
COVID-19 has changed requirements and processes for festivals and events that require City permits or will be on City land. As a result, the Council Strategic Initiatives Fund (CSIF) is not accepting applications for funding until further notice.
Who can apply?
When this funding program reopens, applications will again be accepted from non-profit organizations. ‘For profit’ applications are only considered if a specific commitment is made to donate to a local charity. This commitment should be outlined in the application. You must prove in your application that your organization is credible, fiscally responsible, and has good management. Events that are open to the public, instead of a select membership, are preferred.
When this funding program reopens, applications from the following will not be considered:
- Individuals
- Fundraisers
- Conventions
Funding information
When this funding program reopens, we will be able to again delegate funding up to $50,000 on behalf of council. Funding requests over this amount are sent to council for approval. We are only able to provide funding if there are no other City of Calgary programs that can provide funding.
Funds will not be awarded for regular operating costs of your organization, for example, commissions or staff salaries. Broker agent’s commissions will not be covered either.
Funding for new initiatives
When this funding program reopens, the funding will again be granted to encourage innovation that has the ability to contribute to the goals of council and should be used as a one-time start up or seed funding for initiatives or programs. When applications are again accepted, they must include a sound business plan and a complete budget, including revenue and expenditures. This funding will be limited to one initiative per year and one-time only programs.
Funding for festivals and events
When this funding program reopens, it will again be to assist groups who are hosting one-time special events in Calgary. This one-time only funding will only be given to events that are related to:
- Art – Support all disciplines of visual and performing arts.
- Culture – Promote vitality and community inclusion. Must be open to the public
- Recreation – Where appropriate events should be endorsed or sanctioned by the appropriate governing body. Must be open to the public.
- Sports – Where appropriate events should be endorsed or sanctioned by the appropriate governing body. Must be open to the public.
When this funding program reopens, applications need to describe the economic impact of the event and demonstrate a clear benefit to Calgary. Funding provided by this grant may only be used in relation to the event it was approved for. It cannot be used for regular business operations of an organization.
After the event
If you have received funds from this program, once your event has finished, you are required to submit a post event report within 60 days. This report should outline how the funds were used and how that spending aligns to your request. Read our final report guide for more information.
If you do not submit a post event report, you will be denied other funds associated with this program, funds could be reclaimed, and you may be refused future funding through the CSIF.
Any unused funds must be returned to us no later than the date that the post event report is submitted.