Heritage grant programs

Conserving heritage resources is an important part of sustainable city building. Conserving heritage resources can have many advantages for municipalities and their residents, including social, educational and economic benefits. In addition to their aesthetic value, these properties create and maintain a sense of place and identity, showing the development of a neighbourhood or city over time. Protecting heritage buildings also avoids the negative environmental impacts of demolishing viable, existing structures – promoting adaptive re-use, and reducing construction and demolition waste.

Heritage grants are financial assistance programs offered under a variety of terms. They help property owners with the costs associated with restoring, preserving and rehabilitating heritage resources. In Calgary, owners of legally protected heritage resources can apply for both municipal and provincial grants to support heritage conservation projects.

Since its inception in 2012, The City’s Historic Resource Conservation Grant program has supported conservation work for designated Municipal Historic Resources. More information about the grant’s overall impact is available in the Heritage conservation in Calgary progress snapshot, which is updated annually.

Qualifying sites must be designated as a Municipal Historic Resource or are in the process of obtaining a Municipal Historic Resource designation and have entered into a legal agreement with The City of Calgary. Eligible property owners can receive grants on a cost-sharing basis with The City providing funding for up to 50% of the total approved conservation project cost.

The total maximum grant funding available for a residential heritage resource is $125,000 over a 15-year period, with applicants eligible to apply once every five years. Residential heritage resources include structures that were originally constructed for residential use and were designed with no more than two dwelling units. This includes one or two-family buildings (i.e. single-family, semi-detached and duplex homes). Residential sites do not include historic multi-residential or mixed-use buildings.

The total maximum grant funding available for a non-residential heritage resource is $1,000,000 over a 15-year period, with applicants eligible to apply once every five years. Non-residential heritage resources include, but are not limited to, commercial, industrial, religious, mixed-use and institutional buildings, and multi-residential buildings with more than two dwelling units.

In general, grant funds are intended for the restoration, preservation and rehabilitation of regulated historic elements of a heritage resource, as well as any work required to prevent damage to a building’s structural integrity or deterioration of its regulated historic elements.

For complex or large-scale projects, applicants are encouraged to seek the expertise of a qualified heritage conservation consultant to assist with planning and project management.

Applications are considered on a first-come, first-served basis – and applicants may submit at any time. Detailed information on eligibility and the application process can be found in the current Grant Guidelines (2025). For more information  please contact cityheritage@calgary.ca

The Alberta Government offers Historic Resource conservation grants to assist owners of designated (legally protected) heritage properties. These funds assist with the conservation components of a heritage conservation project. To learn more about the grants available or to apply, visit the Heritage Preservation Partnership Program web page.

Jackson Residence before restoration

Jackson Residence after restoration

Lougheed Building before restoration

Lougheed Building during restoration

Lougheed Building after restoration