Community grants

Community Investment Grants

Community Investment Grants support art, culture and heritage in Cochrane. They provide financial assistance toward projects, events or capital expenditures that enhance and enrich the community. The program is guided by the following principles:  

  • community-driven public benefit 
  • transparency 
  • equity 
  • accountability 
  • flexibility 
  • simplicity 

For a complete overview of the Community Investment Grants Program, please review the Community Investment Grant Program Policy (PDF) .

What's available? 

Community Association Support Grant

Community Association Support Grants provide up to $500 a year toward the operating expenses of a local Community Association. An association may apply once a year.  

Small and large scale matching grant 

Project and Event Matching Grants support initiatives from locally based, registered nonprofit organizations. Grant funding goes toward projects, events or other capital expenditures that enrich our community.  Application deadline May 1st, 12pm 

Applications can be for up to 50 per cent funding, to a maximum of:  

  • $2,500 per project, event or capital expenditure for small-scale grants 
  • $15,000 per festival or event for large-scale grants  

Application requirements include:  

  • detailed project description 
  • budget (see our budget template [XLS])  Here's a Sample Budget to help get you started. Once downloaded, click Enable Editing for functionality.
  • matching contribution (in-kind donations, volunteer hours, available funding, sponsorship funds)  
  • current list of board of directors with names, positions and contact information 

Within 12 months of the application deadline, you must complete or purchase the project, event or capital expenditure (or phase of the project/event being applied for).  New applications that meet the grant criteria will be given the same consideration as repeat applications.  

Funding will not be considered for: 
  • commercial or private events  
  • endowments, charitable donations, fundraising campaigns, business case developments or funding proposals, donor recognition/walls  
  • ongoing operating expenditures  
  • purchase of uniforms  
  • prize moneys  
  • alcohol  
  • gifts, gratuities, honoraria or other items of personal benefit 

Apply for community investment grants

Cochrane FCSS and United Way of Calgary and Area partnership grants

Cochrane, Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) and United Way of Calgary and Area partner to provide grant funding for local organizations that support the social well-being of individuals and families.

As part of this work, an FCSS Advisory Board is appointed to identify funding priorities, review applications and make funding recommendations to Council

Funding eligibility

Nonprofit societies or charitable organizations that work to address local social needs within Cochrane and West Rocky View County areas may be eligible for the grant. Programs or projects must also align with the FCSS and/or the United Way of Calgary and Area mandates.  

Cochrane FCSS supports projects that:  

  • foster a sense of belonging and promote social inclusion
  • promote and encourage active engagement in the community
  • develop and maintain healthy relationships
  • enhance access to social supports
  • develop and strengthen skills that build resilience
  • align with the Provincial priorities (homelessness and housing insecurity, mental health and addictions, employment, family and sexual violence and aging well in community)

United Way of Calgary and Area supports projects that: 

  • support people’s mental health 
  • improve people’s financial and living situations 
  • create a sense of belonging and equality for everyone
  • encourage positive and supportive relationships

Ineligible projects include:  

  • programs that are recreational
  • projects that duplicate services provided by a government or government agency

Application process

Applications will be accepted until midnight Sunday September 21, 2025.

Apply for partnership grants

Other available grants

If the above grants are not applicable to you, there may be other grant options available. The Cochrane Foundation, which supports the well-being of Cochrane and area residents, has two grant streams:  

  • Community Capital Grants are available to local nonprofit organizations that aim to improve the quality of life in the community. The application deadline is January 31, annually.  
  • The Dr. George McQuitty Memorial Scholarship is available to former Cochrane High School students studying medical sciences at a graduate level. The application deadline is January 31, annually.  

If the Cochrane Foundation grants are not applicable, Grant Connect can help you find others. You can access this database of thousands of grant opportunities through your Cochrane Public Library membership.