Highland Park Neighbourhood Grants

Have a Great Idea?

Our Neighbourhood Grants turn local ideas into tangible actions

The City of Calgary, Community Social Work program offers grants of up to $1000 to residents in select neighbourhoods.

Grants are awarded to projects that

  • Increase economic participation
    Do you have an idea that will help keep money in people’s pockets? Will your idea remove financial barriers for those in your neighbourhood?

    • Project Examples:

      • Sports Equipment Lending Library

      • DIY Bicycle & Wheelchair Repair Workshop

      • Resume & Interview Peer Support Group

  • Build inclusive neighbourhoods
    Do you have an idea that will help everyone feel welcome and involved? Will your idea build connections between neighbours from different backgrounds?

    • Project Examples

      • Neighbourhood Walking Group

      • Multi-generation Lego Competition

      • Cross-cultural Celebration

  • Foster truth & reconciliation
    Do you have an idea that will build relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous neighbours? Will your idea connect people to Indigenous history or culture, acknowledge what happened in the past or address the impact of colonial practices?

    • Project Examples

      • Traditional Storytelling

      • Documentary Viewing & Discussion

      • Drumming or Healing Circle

Grant Process Flow Chart

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Here’s what we are looking for in project applications

  • Projects that promote volunteerism and involve citizens working together in planning and delivery.

  • Projects that encourage cooperation between people and groups within neighbourhoods.

  • Projects that are accessible, inclusive and make a difference in the lives of vulnerable populations.

  • Projects that help develop and strengthen leadership skills within the neighbourhood.

  • Projects that are led by community members.

Who is Eligible?

All residents of Highland Park are eligible to apply for grants.

The Fine Print

Projects must benefit the neighbourhood as a whole. That means we can’t provide grants for things like: emergency basic needs, personal education or a sandy beach holiday.

Applicants must live in the neighbourhood where they plan to host their project. We do not fund organizations other than neighbourhood Community Associations comprised of local residents.

Capital items can’t be purchased with Neighbourhood Grants. Capital items include: computers, sewing machines, cameras, printers, BBQs, land, buildings, vehicles and renovations. If this is a barrier to your project please contact us to discuss alternatives.

  1. We will still consider capital items related to community gardens and lending library materials, excluding stocking food pantries or food lending libraries. If you are thinking of applying for community garden or lending library support, please consult with us beforehand.

We can’t provide funds to projects where liquor or cannabis is served or consumed. We can cover the cost of tobacco if it is to be used as an Elder offering.

Your project has to be in the future. We aren’t able to cover expenses that have occurred before Neighbourhood Advisory Committees have approved applications.

Unfortunately we can’t fund purely social events or political advocacy (ie: influencing political, economic and social decisions). Make sure your project is linked back to one of our three priority areas if you’d like our support.

We know good ideas sometimes take time to mature. We will fund re-occurring projects at the discretion of Neighbourhood Advisory Committees.

We ask that you complete your first project before applying for another grant. A completed project means you have handed in expense receipts and any unused dollars as well as completed the post-project survey.

Do you have other funding sources? That’s great! Please let us know about them on your budget.

Still interested? We hope so! Here’s how to apply:

  1. Download and print the application form. You can request a paper copy to be sent to you by contacting NeighbourhoodGrants@calgary.ca.

  2. Bring together a small group of residents interested in your idea and fill out the application.

  3. Forward the application to NeighbourhoodGrants@calgary.ca with as much lead time as possible. We suggest two months.

  4. Your application will be forwarded to a Neighbourhood Advisory Committee. The committee is made up of residents from your neighbourhood.

  5. The Neighbourhood Advisory Committee (with support from one of our Community Social Workers/CSWs) reviews and makes recommendations on grant applications according to a decision-making tool.

  6. If your application is approved, a member of the Neighbourhood Advisory Committee will walk you through the next steps. If your application is declined, the CSW will contact you for follow up. It is possible to make changes to your application based on feedback and re-submit.

  7. At the end of your project you will be asked to complete a questionnaire about
    your experiences. You will also need to provide an explanation of how the money was spent and receipts for purchases. Please Note: Any outstanding monies not spent will need to be returned to the CSW with your questionnaire.

  8. Questions? Feel free to contact NeighbourhoodGrants@calgary.ca or your neighbourhood CSW Jennifer Dimarzo: jennifer.dimarzo@calgary.ca or (403) 852-6137.

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