Community and Regional Economic Support (CARES) program

Small Community Opportunity Program
Coal Community Transition Fund
Women’s Economic Recovery Challenge Grant Program
Community and Regional Economic Support (CARES) program
Northern and Regional Economic Development Program
Indigenous grants
Alberta Broadband Fund

Application status: Closed – Applications are not currently being accepted.

Overview

The Community and Regional Economic Support (CARES) program funds initiatives led by Alberta municipalities, communities and regions that enhance local economic conditions and leverage regional resources to build capacity for sustainable economic development.

Municipalities, communities and organizations interested in getting grants through the CARES program are encouraged to apply through an online application process.

Eligibility

Full program details can be found in the CARES program guidelines.

Eligible entities

Entities eligible for funding under the CARES program include:

incorporated federal or provincial (Alberta) non-profit organizations, associations or societies whose primary purpose is for economic development
municipalities (cities, towns, villages, summer villages, municipal districts, specialized municipalities, improvement districts, special areas)
Metis Settlements and First Nations
formal and project-based partnerships between combinations of the above entities

For-profit organizations can partner with an eligible entity to complete an eligible project.

Eligible projects

The CARES program funds initiatives that create a measurable impact and align with one or more of the following program outcomes:

improving local business environment and/or regional economic collaboration
increasing support for entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to grow and succeed
enhancing support for associations, businesses and industries that provide diversification to a community or a region
increasing industry and sector competitiveness to lay the foundation for investment and job creation

Particular attention will be paid to projects with a tourism, investment attraction or innovation focus.

Funding

CARES program funding for economic development initiatives begins at $10,000.

Municipalities and not-for-profit organizations must be able to match the funding requested at a 1:1 matching ratio, or 50% of the total project cost.

First Nations, Metis Settlements and Rural Alberta Business Centres must be able to match the funding requested at 25% of the total project cost.

Successful applicants will receive the grant up front so that their project can begin immediately. All projects must not take more than 2 years to execute.

How to apply

The CARES program follows a competitive application process. Applicants are required to fill out and submit their applications through the online application portal accessible through this page during each intake.

Dates for upcoming intakes will be shared when finalized.

For more details on the type of information applicants are required to provide as part of their application, please refer to the sample application form.

Step 1. Create a user account

A link to the online application portal is made available here during active intakes.

When logging into the online application portal for the first time, applicants will be prompted to create an Alberta.ca Account with a secure login name and password. Once the account has been created, applicants will gain access to the online application portal, which hosts live application forms and templates available for submission.

For the purpose of the CARES program, applicants are only required to register for a basic Alberta.ca Account using a valid email (applicants are not required to register for a verified account, and do not need to verify their account with a valid driver's licence or identification card).

For any questions about setting up an Alberta.ca Account, or the online application portal, email [email protected].

Step 2. Fill out and submit the application form

Fill out and submit the form electronically through the online application portal during an active application intake period.

As part of the submission, applicants will be required to provide:

background on project partners
letters showing current support for the project
a project summary including expected outcomes, objectives, milestones and timelines
measures of success
an overview of project risks
a budget including quotes

Additional program details

For more information on the program including eligibility, scoring criteria, funding parameters and the application and review process, please refer to the CARES program guidelines.