Recreation and Culture Grants

• New look to the application portal: All February and future intakes will be submitted through the new platform.
• Need to create a new login: Applicants will not have access to historical applications, but these can be provided by the County if requested.
• Improved experience: Applicants will benefit from easier navigation, better tracking of application status and a simplified process for uploading documents.
• Enhanced communication: The new system will allow for clearer notifications and email updates throughout the review process.
• Support available: Step‑by‑step instructions and guidance materials will be provided to help you get started in the new system. Submittable Help - For Submitters | Submittable
• Make sure you receive Email Updates: How can I Safelist Notification Emails from Submittable? | Submittable Help Center

Our team is here to support you through the transition and ensure your application experience is as smooth as possible.

Set up 1:1 session with us by contacting us at recreationandculture@countygp.ab.ca or attend an online tutorial at noon on February 11, 2026, follow this link to register for the online.

The Cemetery Improvement Grant funds improvements to cemeteries located within the County.

Value:

Maximum of $5,000

Eligible Projects:

Projects that improve the physical facilities are eligible. This may include fencing, landscaping, or maintenance of the graves. Projects aimed at volunteer training and retention are not eligible.

As per Policy N3-Gravel for Community Facilities volunteer cemetery groups are eligible to receive up to five loads of gravel every two years. The County will arrange to haul the gravel to the Cemetery and your volunteer group will be responsible to spread it. Please fill the Community Gravel Application Form to arrange gravel for your cemetery.  

Eligible Applicants:

Community groups within the County that maintain and manage a cemetery.

Applications Open:

Applications open February 1, 2026.

Deadline:

April 1, 2026, Funds distributed annually in late June/early July. 

For More Information:

Read the Cemetery Improvement Grant Policy

Contact Recreation and Culture at 780-532-9727

 Apply Now!

• Level 1 – Up to $1,000 for beautification initiatives within the hamlet or rural subdivision of the applicant
• Level 2 – Up to $1,500 for neighbourhood ice surfaces, community gardens, and safety and wellness programs impacting less than 300 people
• Level 3 – Up to $5,000 awarded by Council for Rural Crime Watch initiatives; upgrades to infrastructure that can be moved, removed, or replaced easily; and safety and wellness initiatives that impact more than 300 people

Funding can be requested to support events, programs, and other organizational needs; however, organizations that fundraise primarily to distribute funds to other organizations are not eligible.

There are six funding levels:

• Level 1 – requests less than $500 for dry grad support and similar initiatives where funding depends on County resident participation
• Level 2 – requests less than $1,500 for events like agricultural fairs, community fundraisers, single-day festivals, and dine & dances with less than 300 attendees
• Level 3 – requests less than $5,000 for larger events where attendance is less than 1,000 attendees, or hosting provincial/national competitions with less than $100,000 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) impact

The following levels require a Council presentation:

• Level 4 – requests less than $7,500 for events with more than 1,000 attendees, multi-day cultural events, or hosting provincial/national competitions with more than $101,000 GDP impact
• Level 5 – between $7,501 and $10,000 for large-scale events funded through the Community Grants Reserve where attendance could exceed 7,500 people for a multi-day event
• Level 6 – more than $10,000 for large-scale multi-day events such as folk festivals, community milestone anniversaries, and pro-rodeos

If an emergency occurs, your organization could qualify for funding support from the County. Applicants must be able to defend why their situation is emergent.

An emergent situation is an event or outcome that was unexpected and requires immediate attention. Examples can include:

• Natural disasters
• Critical infrastructure failures
• Sudden loss of major funding

The Operating Assistance Grant funds recreational and cultural programming for County residents.

Value:

Maximum of $5,000

Eligible Projects:

Improvements to physical facilities are eligible.

Projects or programs that deliver recreational or cultural services are eligible.

Indoor ice arenas, halls, swimming pools, and curling rinks located in the County automatically receive operating funds to aid in the costs of insurance and utilities. 

Eligible Applicants:

Local, non-profits or community volunteer groups that deliver recreation or culture services.

Intake:

Applications open February 1, 2026.

Deadline:

April 1, 2026, Funds distributed annually in late June/early July.

For More Information:

Read the Operating Assistance Grant- Recreation Advisory Boards Policy

Contact Recreation and Culture at 780 532 9727

Apply Now!

Recreational and Cultural Facilities provide opportunities for people to enjoy sport, leisure, or community activities that promote healthy, active and satisfying lifestyles. The County is committed to ensuring that Recreational and Cultural Facilities are available to meet the needs of County residents and visitors. County Council offers financial assistance to organizations and neighbouring municipalities to construct, rehabilitate or expand facilities within the County and neighbouring municipalities.

Capital Grants are subdivided into two streams – Major Capital and Capital Assistance, each having its own criteria and funding models.

1. The Capital Assistance Grant funds improvements and repairs to the physical infrastructure of recreational or cultural facilities that serve County residents.

Value:

Applicants may apply for Capital Assistance up to 50% of the total project cost, to a maximum award of $50,000.00. These projects typically have a total cost of at least $10,000 to a maximum of $99,999 and require the group to provide matching funding for the project.

Eligible Projects:

Improvements or repairs to the physical facilities are eligible.

Expenses related to operations (staffing, insurance, utilities) are not eligible.

2. The Major Capital Grant funds construction or rehabilitation to the physical infrastructure of facilities that serve County residents.

Value:

This grant is for projects that are valued in excess of $100,000.

Eligible Projects:

New construction, rehabilitation, repairs or improvements to facilities that provide a recognizable benefit to County residents are eligible.

Projects requiring structural improvements to a facility my be required to provide a report submitted by an engineer that confirms the condition of the facility. Parks and Recreation will determine is this is required and provide direction for the applicant. The County will cover costs associated with obtaining this report.

Eligible Applicants:

Local, non-profits or community volunteer groups that own and/or operate facilities that provide recreational or cultural opportunities for County residents.

Applicants are required to apply and give an in-person presentation to the Grants Deliberation Committee.

Intake:

Opens August 1, 2026, for 2027 Capital Funding requests.

Deadline:

Last day to submit applications is September 26, 2026.

Applicants present to the Grants Deliberation Committee in early November.

Funding is approved in early December and successful applicants are announced in early January.

Conditional Grant Agreements are mailed to successful applicants in January.

Funds distributed annually in late June/early July.

For More Information:

Read the K-10 Capital Grant Policy

Contact Recreation and Culture at 780 532 9727

The County provides donated gravel to eligible organizations managing community facilities. Applications are accepted during the gravel hauling season, typically from May to October. Gravel is sourced from County-operated facilities and is delivered by County forces depending on availability, weather conditions, and other operational priorities.

Recipients are responsible for all spreading and placement of the gravel. The County will only deliver and stockpile the gravel to a designated location specified by the recipient. 

Value:

The County will provide an amount of gravel approved by the General Manager Transportation & Utilities, or designate, to a maximum of sixty-five (65) tonnes every other year, per Community Facility within the County.

Eligible Organizations:

As per Policy N3-Gravel for Community Facilities "Community Facilities" are defined as "public or semi-public places where members of a community gather for recreational, educational, social, or cultural purposes, or locations co-operatively or municipally owned and used for joint economic benefit."

For More Information:

Contact the Transportation & Utilities department at 780-532-7393

 Apply Now!