Call for funding proposals

Please review the following before submitting your LOI:

• Read the information on this webpage in its entirety
• Review the BCIF Resources for Organizations

Note that further information is available on the BCIF webpage.

LOIs will be accepted and reviewed on an ongoing basis. Organizations interested in applying for BCIF funding can submit an LOI to BCIF@calgary.ca at any time starting January 30, 2023. 

If the project outlined in your LOI is accepted, you will be invited to the BCIF Application Process and asked to submit a full application. Full applications will also be accepted on an ongoing basis, however there will be set periods when applications will be reviewed by the BCIF Committee for funding decisions. Reviews of full applications will take place by the following quarterly deadlines:

• April 30, 2023
• July 31, 2023
• October 31, 2023
• January 31, 2024

NOTE: The BCIF Letter of Intent process will remain open throughout the 2023 year, unless fully subscribed.

Projects must meet the following baseline criteria to be eligible for funding:

• Capital projects that fall into one of the following categories related to public realm improvements or enhancements:
  • Public open space design
  • Redevelopment or enhancement
  • Streetscape design and enhancements
  • Mobility improvements
  • Public realm projects enhancing City-owned building projects
  • Implementation of urban design strategies and public art on public land
  • Public open space acquisition
• Physically located within the defined Beltline area (link to map).
• Located on public lands or within public rights-of-way.
• Meets a demonstrated need in the Beltline community.
• Demonstrates support and connections with the Beltline community.
• Aligns with key City plans and policies that apply to the Beltline area including the Downtown Strategy, and the local area redevelopment plan.
• Meets all required City approvals for construction or fabrication before funding is released.
• A single project will only be considered for funding for two consecutive years, and then it is no longer eligible. Projects of a similar nature, but not the same, would be considered eligible.
• Projects that propose planning for capital projects may be considered eligible, including design competitions, conceptual design studies, consultancy services, and projects that support sustainable development and enhancement measures in the community.
• Be managed by a non-profit, society or other incorporated organization that has a demonstrated a proven track record of delivering projects of a similar nature.

The following types of projects are NOT eligible for funding:

• Operating costs not related to a capital project, for example, operating costs for activation, feasibility studies, or research projects.
• Projects that benefit only private interests.
• Anything a developer is already required to undertake as part of a development permit.
• Projects already funded for two consecutive years through BCIF.

BCIF is open to non-profit organizations, societies or other incorporated organizations that have demonstrated a proven track record of delivering projects of a similar nature and operating within Calgary’s city limits.

LOIs should be brief and provide high-level information. Please complete your letter including the information indicated below and submit it to BCIF@calgary.ca. The letter must be limited to two pages (information past two pages will not be considered).

The LOI should address the following:

• Organization name and contact information for project lead
• High-level overview of your project
• The experience your organization has delivering capital projects that would be eligible for this fund (refer to the Funding criteria section above)
• The demonstrated need(s) in the Beltline area your project will address
• How you will demonstrate support and connections with the Beltline community (for example, contacting community associations, Business Improvement Areas or other relevant community groups in Beltline)
• How the project will improve the public realm in the Beltline area  
• How the project aligns with principles of Calgary’s Downtown Strategy and the Beltline Area Redevelopment Plan 
• How soon you can implement the project and how long it will take to complete
• The supports, approvals, permits or permissions you need to receive before undertaking this project
• How you plan to measure the impact of the project
• How much funding you will be requesting for this project 

As you begin this LOI process, please keep the following eligibility requirements in mind. If you are invited to submit a full application, you will need to provide the following:

Organizational eligibility:

• Demonstrate your organization’s operational capacity, including sound governance, financial outlook, and the use of evidence-informed practices. 
• Demonstrate your organization’s ability to have the necessary infrastructure to support the project including securing a physical location for the project in the Beltline area. 

Program eligibility:

Proposed operational project plan demonstrates the following:

• Your ability to manage and deliver the project in the allocated time (up to 12 months from the time funding is received)
• Include who the project is aimed at (priority population groups), what will be done, where and how it will be completed, and when the project will take place
• Show how you plan to evaluate and measure the project impact 
• Demonstrate your plan for maintenance and lifecycle of the project

Note: You do NOT need to address these requirements now at the LOI stage. Relevant documents pertaining to these eligibility requirements may be required later in the full application process.

The City of Calgary will review LOIs on an ongoing basis. All applicants will be notified about the outcome.

Only if your request is successful will you be asked to submit a full application through the Funding Information Management System (FIMS). Organizations must access FIMS with a myID business account, which is a single sign-on approach used by businesses and organizations to access City services online. To register for a myID business account organizations should obtain a business ID number here, and then register their primary email address here. Finally, set up a myID business account by visiting myid.calgary.ca and using the business ID number and registered email address.

Due to the multiple steps required, organizations are encouraged to register for FIMS as early as possible.

Organizations may be asked to submit additional documents or answer questions to support the review and decision process.

Successful organizations will need to provide proof of Commercial General Liability (CGL) in an amount not less than $2,000,000 inclusive, with The City of Calgary as an additional insured.

If you have any questions or need support regarding FIMS, please email us at BCIF@calgary.ca.

Organizations will be required to report using the following accountability methods:

• Mid-term progress report through FIMS
• Project-end report through FIMS that details the program outputs and outcomes (due one month after project completion)
• A financial report and an audited financial statement through FIMS (due one month after project completion)
• An audited financial statement(s) will need to be submitted within three months after the organization’s fiscal year-end 

Please ensure your letter addresses the following:

• Organization name and contact information for project lead
• Provide a high-level overview of your project. 
• What experience does your organization have delivering capital projects that would be eligible for this fund?
• What demonstrated need(s) in the Beltline area will your project address?
• How will you demonstrate support and connections with the Beltline community? (for example, contacting Business Improvement Areas, Community Associations or other relevant community groups)
• How will the project improve the public realm in the Beltline area?  
• How does the project align with principles of Calgary’s Greater Downtown Strategy and the Beltline Area Redevelopment Plan?
• How soon can you implement the project and how long will it take to complete?
• What supports, approvals, permits or permissions do you need to receive before undertaking this project?
• How do you plan to measure the impact of the project?
• How much funding will you be requesting for this project?

Be sure to review the BCIF Resources for Organizations before submitting your letter of intent. 

Funding Information Management System (FIMS) is a secure, online platform for non-profit organizations to manage their organization's profiles, manage their reporting requirements, and apply for funding for social programs and services.

myID - An online service that provides citizens and business owners access to multiple City of Calgary services using a single account. A myID business account is required to access the Funding Information Management System (FIMS).

All questions about the Beltline Community Investment Fund call for Letter of Intent can be sent to BCIF@calgary.ca. 

How can interested organizations apply for funding?
Starting January 30, 2023 applicants can submit a Letter of Intent to BCIF@calgary.ca for potential projects. Details on the call for proposals are available at this link. Once the letters have been reviewed, eligible applicants will then be invited to submit an application through the Funding Information Management System (FIMS), which is a secure, online platform for organizations to apply for funding and manage their profiles.

If an organization is interested, is it worth submitting a Letter of Intent just to express interest?
Submitting a Letter of Intent is not recommended unless an organization already has a concrete project in mind.

What is the anticipated timeline for this funding opportunity? When are decisions made and funding issued?
The intake process for this fund will be ongoing, therefore interested organizations can apply at any time during the year, or until the fund is fully subscribed. However, applications will be reviewed by the BCIF Committee on a quarterly basis.

When is the Letter of Intent due?
Letters of Intent can be submitted at any time. Applications are reviewed on a regular basis so applicants should receive a response within two weeks of submission advising if their Letter of Intent was successful. Projects successful at the Letter of Intent stage will be invited to undertake a full application process. 

When will successful applicants receive funding?
Once a project has been approved for funding by the BCIF Committee, applicants will be informed within seven business days. Funding will be provided once the funding agreement has been signed.

Who and what kind of organization is eligible for this funding?
Applicants must be an incorporated organization, but not necessarily a non-profit organization. As per the Terms of Reference, projects must be "managed by a non-profit, society or other incorporated organization that has demonstrated a proven track record of delivering projects of a similar nature."

What kind of project is eligible for this funding?
Eligible projects must be capital projects that fall into one of the following categories related to public realm improvements or enhancements. Geographically, the projects must take place in the Beltline (click here for a map), but the applicant can be based elsewhere.

• Public open space design
• Redevelopment or enhancement
• Streetscape design and enhancements
• Mobility improvements
• Public realm projects enhancing City-owned building projects
• Implementation of urban design strategies and public art on public land
• Public open space acquisition

How is ‘public realm’ defined?
In the Beltline Area Redevelopment Plan, Section 6 entitled Public Realm Plan states: “The image of every city, especially inner city and downtown communities, is defined by the quality of its public realm – its streets, boulevards, public squares, parks, riverfronts, and public art – as well as the urban vitality and economic vibrancy that is generated and contained in the public realm.”

For further explanation about the public realm as it pertains to the Beltline, please refer to the Beltline Public Realm Plan, starting on page 46 within the Beltline ARP Part 1.

Is the call open to both new and existing projects?
Funding is available for new projects. Projects that are currently underway that meet the eligibility requirements can apply for funding for new expenses. Retroactive expenses are not eligible for reimbursement.

A project will only be considered eligible for two rounds of BCIF funding, after which it would no longer be eligible. Projects that are of a similar nature can also be considered eligible, as long as they are unique, distinct projects.

Can a new initiative have already started before we obtain the funding?
Funding cannot be retroactively applied to any project prior to the date a formal funding agreement between the City of Calgary and the fund recipient is signed.

Can an organization only apply once or multiple times?
An organization can apply multiple times, but projects already funded for two consecutive years through BCIF will be ineligible.

Would a project be considered ineligible if it obtains funding from multiple sources?
No – Pursuing other funding sources is encouraged if your project necessitates doing so. However, BCIF will not fund any expenses that are being paid for by another funder, or any expenses that have been incurred prior to the signing of a formal BCIF funding agreement with The City of Calgary. 

Why do applicants need permits before knowing if they will receive funding?
As per the BCIF funding framework in the Terms of Reference, The City of Calgary will need to see evidence that the appropriate permits and permissions from the asset owner are already in place before being able to commit funding to the project. These documents should be uploaded into the FIMS system.

What is the typical grant amount (or range) funded for this initiative?
There is not a set minimum or maximum for funding requests. The BCIF Committee has the authority to approve individual project grants of up to $200,000. For individual projects grants over $200,000, the Committee will work with Administration to bring recommendations to Council for consideration.

As a guideline, funding requests should scale appropriately to your proposed project as well as be within your current capacity and experience as an organization.

How much funding is available?
The current value of the fund is approximately $3 million, although it does not need to be fully subscribed.

Details of the fund are available here at calgary.ca/BCIF.

All eligible applicants can apply through the Funding Information Management System (FIMS). Download this sample of the Capacity-Building Application Sample and the Capacity-Building Budget Guide for reference to assist in preparing answers ahead of time.

Organizations that don't yet have a FIMS account must register in the FIMS system before accessing an application. FIMS is accessed through a myID business account. A myID business account is a single sign-on approach used by businesses and organizations to access City services online. Learn about how to obtain a myID business account and register for FIMS here.

If you have questions or experience challenges accessing FIMS during this application period, please contact us at fundingproposals@calgary.ca at any time for alternative options to submit your application. Successful applicants will need to set up a FIMS account for payment and reporting purposes.

If you have questions during this application period, contact us at fundingproposals@calgary.ca at any time.

Applications will be accepted from all eligible applicants through the Funding Information Management System (FIMS) from Wednesday, February 15, 2023 to Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at 11:59 pm.

A total of up to $750,000 is available from The City of Calgary in 2023.

The purpose of the Capacity-Building and Emerging Issues Fund is to strengthen the capacity of the non-profit sector, organizations and/or programs to effectively address the needs of Calgarians experiencing vulnerabilities. Funds are intended for initiatives that will strengthen an organization’s effectiveness or service delivery, so that its outcomes can be improved and sustained over time. Initiatives should be targeted at developing the capabilities of an organization so it can better respond to the changing needs of Calgarians.

The Capacity-Building and Emerging Issues Fund is implemented via two focus areas:  Emerging Social Issues for sector-wide initiatives and Organizational Effectiveness for initiatives that strengthen organizations.

Eligible projects must be one-time initiatives that can be completed by December 31, 2023.

Emerging Social Issues

Grant amount: $15,000 to $50,000 for each initiative.

Funds are available to support initiatives that address an emerging social issue or trend. Initiatives should involve members of the community that are directly involved in, or impacted by, a particular issue. These initiatives would support knowledge development and exchange in the community most impacted by the issue and/or social service organizations that would respond to it. Funds may be used to establish new collaborations or strengthen existing collaborative efforts.

Examples of initiatives could include:

• Creation of a sustainability plan to support the social inclusion of a community or population
• Participatory action efforts to increase involvement of stakeholders in addressing issues of social inclusion
• Social inclusion initiatives addressing service gaps among Calgarians experiencing vulnerabilities
• Collective impact initiatives that coordinate efforts among organizations focusing on a specific issue
•  Collaborative initiatives with organizations that seek to explore how issues can be addressed at the systems or policy level

Anticipated outcomes:

• New innovative strategies are developed to address emerging social issues
• Individuals in a community are brought together to identify needs and solutions
• Innovative community-based initiatives are designed, developed, and implemented
• New partnerships among two or more non-profit organizations are established and sustained
• Coordinated response is developed to emerging social issues or trends
• Service gaps and strategies to address them are identified

Organizational Effectiveness

Grant amount: $10,000 to $30,000 for each initiative.

Funds are available to support an organization in increasing its effectiveness in supporting Calgarians experiencing vulnerabilities. These initiatives would include increasing the adaptive or technical capacity of an organization. The initiatives go beyond regular programmatic activities and seek to enhance the ability of the organization to be adaptive and responsive. This capacity-building work should start with an assessment of the organization to accurately determine how it can better serve Calgarians experiencing vulnerabilities.

Examples of initiatives could include:

• Adjusting program design to be more responsive to the needs of Calgarians experiencing vulnerabilities
• Strategies that help organizations better align with emerging trends in the non-profit sector, or better respond to emerging issues impacting its targeted population group; Related capacities include power analysis, network analysis, understanding the emerging issue lifecycle
• Evaluation or learning tools to better identify and understand the community the organization serves
• Development of policies or practices that result in more equitable, anti-oppressive, or anti-racist service delivery

Anticipated outcomes:

• New strategies that enable an organization to prioritize, innovate, and respond to internal or external changes
• Redistribution or reallocation of organizational resources to better respond to emerging issues
• Increased ability to implement new organizational or programmatic functions 

Organizational eligibility

• All non-profit social service organizations registered under the Societies Act or the Companies Act in Alberta, or the Federal Not-for-profit Corporations Act, and operating within Calgary's city limits

Initiative eligibility

• One-time initiatives that address systems gaps or sector trends that may be impacting Calgarians experiencing vulnerabilities
• Initiatives that work with an impacted population to develop new strategies and address an emerging social issue affecting Calgarians experiencing vulnerabilities
• One-time initiatives that strengthen organizational effectiveness and/or enhance program design to meet the needs of Calgarians experiencing vulnerabilities

Capacity-building funding is not available to support initiatives focused on the ongoing delivery of programs or services. Operational and administrative costs beyond those related directly to the proposed initiative will not be funded.

Only one application may be submitted per organization. Applications will be assessed in the following areas:

Fund Eligibility

• Application is received by the deadline – late applications will not be processed unless an extension has been approved
• Application is complete - partial applications will not be processed
• Organization is a registered non-profit organization and a legal entity in good standing
• Organization operates within Calgary city limits
• Organization and initiative align with the criteria of one of the two focus areas
• Demonstration that the initiative is clearly one-time, with the ability to spend the funds by December 31, 2023

Initiative Eligibility

• Clear articulation of whose capacity is being built, what capacity is being built, and how capacity is being built
• Evidence of unmet or changing needs of Calgarians is clearly articulated, including impacted population(s)
• Impacted community is involved in proposed response (if applicable)
• Clear outline of intended outcomes
• If partners are involved, their roles are clearly identified
• The budget is proportionate to the type of proposed activities
• Organizations must have a track record of serving the community most impacted by the emerging social issue
• Applications from organizations currently funded or recommended to receive funding in 2023 by The City of Calgary will be prioritized for organizational effectiveness initiatives

Please read the information on this webpage in its entirety before filling out your application.

Register for a myID business account and the Funding Information Management System (FIMS). Learn about how to obtain a myID business account and register for FIMS here. Applications must be submitted online through FIMS.

All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application. Applicants may be asked to submit additional documents or answer questions to support the review and decision process. 

Unsuccessful applicants may request feedback on why the application wasn’t successful and what could be done differently in the future. Requests for feedback should be sent to fundingproposals@calgary.ca.

Successful applicants will need to provide proof Commercial General Liability (CGL) in an amount not less than Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00) inclusive, with The City of Calgary as an additional insured.  

Organizations are encouraged to include the costs associated with insurance in the application’s budget section.

Organizations will be required to report using the following accountability methods:

• An initiative-end report will be submitted through FIMS that details the initiative outputs and outcomes. This report will be due on March 1, 2024.
• A financial report and an unaudited financial statement will be submitted through FIMS. This report will be due on March 1, 2024.
• For initiatives funded for $25,000 or more, audited financial statements will need to be submitted within three months after the organization’s fiscal year-end. Organizations that are currently supported through the following funding programs administered by The City of Calgary can account for their funds as part of the organization’s annual global audit:
  • Family & Community Support Services
  • Crime Prevention Investment Plan
  • Calgary’s Mental Health and Addiction Investment Framework
  • Community Safety Investment Framework

Organizations are encouraged to include the costs associated with audited financial statements in the application’s budget section. 

• Black/African or Caribbean - Refers to people pertaining to the continent of Africa: People who are native to Africa, or individuals who trace their ancestry to indigenous inhabitants of Africa.
• Capacity-Building – Building the capacity of an organization or community involves strengthening the resources, capabilities, knowledge of a group, with the end goal of strengthening that group’s ability to achieve its mission and vision and increase its measurable impact. (Adapted from: Huffman, D., Thomas, K., & Lawrenz, F. (2008). American Journal of Evaluation, 29(3), 358-368.).
• Community – A community is a group of people that interact and support each other, and are bonded by shared experiences or characteristics, a sense of belonging, and often by their physical proximity. Examples include, but are not limited to, communities of geography, race, culture, religion, ability, sexuality, and experience (Adapted from: Cobigo, V., Martin, L., & Mcheimech, R. (2016). Canadian Journal of Disability Studies, 5(4), 181-203.).
• Emerging Social Issues – A social condition, behaviour, or service gap that has a negative impact on Calgarians experiencing vulnerabilities. The identified issue does not need to be new, but the approach to addressing it should be.
• Funding Information Management System (FIMS) – A secure, online platform for non-profit organizations to manage their organization's profiles, manage their reporting requirements, and apply for funding for social programs and services.
• Indigenous – People whose ancestors lived on and with these lands prior to colonization and identify as First Nations (status or non-status), Metis, or Inuit.
• Indigenous, Black and Racialized Organizations – An organization that is led by and for Indigenous, Black, and/or Racialized communities. These are organizations whose mandate and most of their activities and resources are dedicated to serving these communities and those that are created by, led by (at all levels) and involve a majority of people from these communities.
• myID – An online service that provides citizens and business owners access to multiple City of Calgary services using a single account. A myID business account is required to access the Funding Information Management System (FIMS).
• Organizational Effectiveness – Developing the capabilities of an organization to improve its effectiveness and sustainability. (Cornforth, C., & Mordaunt, J. (2011). Voluntas, 22(3), 428-449.).
• Racialized – Anyone who experiences Racism as Racialized (also sometimes defined as “people of colour”).

If you have identified barriers with this call for funding proposals or would like to suggest ideas on how to make this funding more equitable, please contact us. We commit to integrating the feedback when possible and providing rationale if we are currently unable to make the suggested changes.

Email: fundingproposals@calgary.ca

Downtown is the economic and cultural heart of Calgary. It is the central hub for business, innovation, and creativity. What happens downtown has a direct impact on all Calgarians. The City is working to address the challenges downtown is facing by transforming and reinventing the area for decades to come.

As a part of the Downtown Strategy, The City of Calgary recognizes the need to provide accessible, clean, and safe public washrooms. The City is seeking to partner with a community service organization that can help to improve the overall user experience of public washrooms in downtown Calgary through a Public Washroom Attendant Pilot Program.

Eligible organizations are invited to apply to this opportunity by submitting a Letter of Intent outlining their related experience and a proposed project outline describing how they can support this initiative.

1. Please review this webpage in its entirety, alongside the relevant links, prior to submitting a Letter of Intent. 
2. All eligible organizations must apply by submitting a Letter of Intent to fundingproposals@calgary.ca. 
   • Please use the subject line ‘Washroom Attendant Program’
     

Letters of Intent will be accepted until Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at 11:59 pm MST.

If the proposed project outlined in your Letter of Intent is accepted, you will be invited to submit a full application for further review.

Questions during this submission period can be directed to fundingproposals@calgary.ca.

The City of Calgary envisions that this Public Washroom Attendant Pilot Program will help to achieve the following:

• Support the piloting of public washroom management and approaches to addressing safety, accessibility, cleanliness, and disorder.
• Attendants will act as ambassadors to help enhance the overall public washroom environment to ensure it is welcoming for all users.
• Create employment opportunities for individuals who may experience barriers to employment.
• Provide additional avenues for engaging vulnerable populations utilizing the washroom and connecting them to the services that they may require.

At this time, The City has identified Olympic Plaza and Century Gardens as locations for this pilot program. Attendants will be expected to work alongside City staff and contractors to support cleaning, supplying, monitoring (for safety and security), and to help maintain applicable City standards within the public washroom and immediate public parks areas. This may include reporting illicit activities to appropriate authorities and responding to issues, incidents and needs as they arise. Other municipalities that have integrated similar programming into their public washrooms have seen a sizable reduction in repair and maintenance costs, as well as 911 calls.

Funding for this initiative is provided by the Government of Alberta through The City of Calgary’s Downtown Revitalization Fund. The intended term for this pilot program is eight months for staffing and program development with the expectation of six months of full program operations. The program term will begin as soon as the successful applicant is able with programming occurring through spring and summer 2023, with the possibility of an extension. Respondents to this Letter of Intent request will be expected to provide a proposed budget outlining expected costs associated with their project proposal.

The call for Letters of Intent is open to not-for-profit voluntary organizations registered under the Societies Act or the Companies Act in Alberta, or the Federal Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, and operating within Calgary’s city limits.

Letters of Intent should be brief and provide high-level information. Please complete your letter including the information below and submit it to fundingproposals@calgary.ca. Letters of Intent longer than three pages will not be considered.

The Letter of Intent should address the following:

• Organization name and contact information for project lead
• The experience your organization has delivering related of programming
• A high-level overview of your project, including:
  • What strategies will you employ?
  • How will you support safety for staff and washroom users?
  • How will you involve individuals with barriers to employment into your programming?
• How will you measure the impact of the project?
• Are there any partnerships your organization will be pursuing in relation to this program?
• How much funding will be required for this project? Please provide a high level breakdown of costs associated for this program. 

All Letters of Intent will undergo a consistent review process. City of Calgary Administration will review all submissions. Other subject matter experts, including external community partners who have not submitted a proposal may be consulted, as needed. All applicants will be notified about the outcome of their submissions.

Applicants may be asked to submit additional documents or answer follow up questions to support the review and decision process.

If the Letter of Intent is successful, organizations will be asked to submit a full application through the Funding Information Management System (FIMS). Organizations are encouraged to register for FIMS as early as possible.

Successful organizations will need to provide proof of Commercial General Liability (CGL) in an amount not less than Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00) inclusive, with The City of Calgary as an additional insured.

Organizations will be required to report using the following accountability methods:

• Final report: A final report will be required at the end of the program term. It will be submitted through FIMS and will detail the outputs and outcomes of the full program.
• Financial Report: A financial report and an unaudited financial statement are due on an annual basis following the completion of the fiscal year.
• Audited Financial Statement: For funding allocations of $25,000 or more annually, audited financial statements may be required within three months after the organization’s fiscal year-end. Organizations are encouraged to include the costs associated with audited financial statements in the budget section.

Questions during this application period can be directed to fundingproposals@calgary.ca.

If you identify barriers with this Letter of Intent process or would like to suggest ideas on how to make this funding process more accessible and equitable, please contact us. We are committed to integrating feedback when possible and providing rationale if we are currently unable to make the suggested changes. 

In 2020, City Council approved revised Emergency Resiliency Fund Terms of Reference to enable non-profits, including The City’s Civic and Community Partners, to continue to serve Calgarians during the response phase of the COVID-19 pandemic event by ensuring adequate services are available, and to pursue partner capacity to support Calgary’s social, economic and cultural recovery from the event.

Given the current timing of the COVID-19 pandemic, The City is offering a 2022 Emergency Resiliency Fund grant program focused on supporting critical funding gaps impacting organizational capacity during the recovery stage. This guide outlines the key principles and approaches for the program. 

1. Review this webpage in full and determine if your organization is eligible to apply. A PDF of the guide is available here.
2. Complete the online grant application and submit the required documents by midnight on Thursday, October 17, 2022 including:
   • projected Statement of Cash Flow for 2022 (actuals at least to July 31, 2022),
   • projected Statement of Operations for 2022 (excluding depreciation/amortization or any other non-cash items), and
   • copy of your most recent Audited Financials (at minimum for 2021).
3. Provide any additional documents that may be requested during the review process.
4. To ensure a timely and fair process, no late applications will be accepted. Information submitted in grant applications may be made public.
5. If you have any questions, please contact your City partnership liaison (Civic Partnership Consultant or other partnership liaison) or email partnerships@calgary.ca with “ERF Application” in the subject line.

Applications and all required documents must be submitted by midnight on Wednesday, October 17, 2022.

Funding is available for current City of Calgary Civic Partners and Community Partners as defined in the Investing in Partnerships Policy that are in good standing with The City. 

The following types of organizations are not eligible to apply through this program as they have access to other sources of City COVID recovery funding: Preventive Social Service Partners funded through the Family and Community Support Services program, Community Associations, or Social Recreation Groups.

In alignment with the ERF Terms of Reference, and the current stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2022 ERF Grant Program focuses on supporting organizational capacity during the recovery period and the grant is one-time emergency funding. 

ERF Funding cannot be used for any of the following costs:

• Lost revenues.
• Increased staff compensation that is not legislated or otherwise required.
• Net new programs or services including the development of new program streams.
• Replacement of reserve funds used to respond or recover from the pandemic.
• Capital or lifecycle costs.
• GST payable.
• Expenses that are eligible for reimbursement through a different government subsidy program. 

All applications will undergo a fair and consistent review process. City Administration will review all funding applications. Funding decision will be based on the following criteria that align with the revised ERF Terms of Reference approved by Council:

• Significant impact on operations due to COVID-19.
• Demonstration that the organization has challenges using existing cash flow and reserves to meet operating costs.
• Development of a plan to address operating challenges longer term to demonstrate that funding request is a one-time requirement.
• Identification that the organization has first accessed all other available funding programs including programs from other orders of government to address operating budget gaps.
• Review of the organization’s financial capacity including available funding, reserve funding and related foundations, and governance and risk management practices; and assessment of any projected year end operating surpluses or deficits.
• Consideration for supporting critical financial gaps during the response and as regular revenue sources stabilize and return to normal.

It is anticipated that funding decisions will be confirmed by the end of November 2022. All applicants will be notified on the outcome of their application. All funding will require the execution of a formal grant agreement between The City of Calgary and the applicant. 

Grant recipients will be required to provide a final report about the use of the funds, and may be requested to provide proof of how the funds were spent. They will also be required to submit audited financial statements for 2022 within three months of year end.

In an effort to maintain transparency and accountability, The City will make the names of all recipients and funding allocation amounts available publicly.

• If your organization does not have a current funding agreement in place with The City that has existing terms to cover this funding, or can be amended to cover this funding, a new funding agreement must be execute with The City.
• If your organization has a 2020 or 2021 Emergency Resiliency Fund Grant Agreement in place for previous ERF funding, it may be amended to cover any 2022 funding.
• Payments schedules will depend on the partner and type of funding required.
• Partners not already set up for Electronic Fund Transfers (EFTs) from The City will need to complete a Supplier Direct Deposit Enrolment Application (F2347).

Similar to previous ERF funding programs, agreements will specify that if organizations have a year-end operating surplus during any of the terms of the grant they must notify The City, and The City will either direct them to defer the excess to the following fiscal year to address the impact of COVID-19 as outlined in the original application; or request the return of the surplus (up to the grant amount) to The City.

Please see this document for a sample of the application.

All Calgarians deserve to feel safe and connected. Recognizing community concerns regarding urban violence, The City of Calgary and Public Safety Canada are working together to build safer and more resilient communities through the Building Safer Communities Fund (BSCF). The intent of the Fund is to provide, time-limited investments to support community organizations to further develop and enhance community-based prevention and intervention programs specifically for young people, to reduce gun and gang violence in Calgary.

Calgary’s BSCF continues the work started by the Community-Based Public Safety Task Force (the Task Force). Formed in early 2020, the Task Force was commissioned with identifying and addressing community concerns around escalating urban violence in Calgary, with a focus on gun and gang violence. The Task Force undertook extensive community and public engagement and reviewed local and national gang prevention, early-intervention and exiting programs to understand which services are effective, and identify gaps, challenges and issues with existing programs.

Based on the recommendations from the Task Force, Calgary’s BSCF will focus on supporting prevention and intervention strategies that address one or more of the following outcome areas:

• Improved access to gang-exiting and early intervention programs,
• Increased availability to culturally appropriate programming options,
•  Enhanced formal support for parents and families of youth engaged in gang activity, and
• Strengthened access to mentorship, guidance, outreach, and support for gang-involved individuals.

Eligible organizations are invited to apply to the BSCF for funding under the prevention or intervention outcome area(s) most relevant to their organization’s core operations or proposed program/initiative.

Please note: Funding is contingent on a thorough review and approval process by both The City of Calgary and Public Safety Canada. 

1. Please review this webpage in its entirety, alongside the relevant links, prior to filling out your application.
   
   Additionally, organizations are encouraged to review the Community-Based Public Safety Task Force for background and context for the needs identified in the community.
   
   
2. All eligible organizations must apply through the Funding Information Management System (FIMS). To assist with the application process a non-fillable copy of the application form is available to download here, alongside a draft budget and to prepare answers in advance of completing the application in FIMS. Successful applicants will still need to set up a FIMS account for payment and reporting purposes.
   
   Organizations without a FIMS account must register in the system before accessing an application. Organizations can access FIMS with a myID business account. Learn about how to obtain a myID business account and register for FIMS here.

If you have questions or experience challenges accessing FIMS during this application period, please contact us at fundingproposals@calgary.ca at any time. 

Applicant Information Session:

An online information session will be available in August and/or September 2022. To attend the session, please register here and details about will be shared via email.

Applications will be accepted until September 19, 2022 at 11:59 pm MST.

Questions during this application period can be directed to fundingproposals@calgary.ca.

Through Calgary’s BSCF, a total of up to $7 million in funding is available over three years for programs and initiatives beginning in Q2 of 2023, with funding available until March 2026. 

The purpose of Calgary’s BSCF Call for Funding Proposals is to develop new programs or initiatives, and to enhance community-based prevention and intervention programs that will reduce gun and gang violence in Calgary and promote safe and vibrant communities by preventing violence from happening in the first place. In alignment with Public Safety Canada, investments are intended to support community organizations that focus on children, youth, and young adults (between the ages of 6-26) in Calgary who are involved in or at risk of, joining gangs, and to ultimately address conditions that may lead a young person to engage in gang activity in the first place.

Funding provided by the BSCF will be available to support programs and initiatives on an ongoing basis until March 2026, conditional upon the organization meeting all reporting and performance requirements of The City of Calgary, and the availability of funding from Public Safety Canada.

Please note: Funding is contingent on a thorough review and approval process by both the City of Calgary and Public Safety Canada. 

To address the gaps and opportunities identified by the Task Force report, several priorities with distinct outcome areas will be targeted during this BSCF Call for Funding Proposals process:

1. Improved access to gang-exiting and early intervention programs.

Funding is available to support the development of, or enhancements to, initiatives that focus on gang-exiting and intervention programs intended to help gang members disaffiliate, and to prevent young people who are on the periphery of gangs (such as young offenders) from joining.

A significant gap identified in the Task Force report was the specific need to provide additional support for youth and adults who are ready to leave the gang lifestyle and transition back into the community. For young offenders released from remand, more short-term supports are needed to quickly connect individuals with resources to decrease the potential for escalation or reoffending. Additional long-term re-entry programs are also needed to provide wraparound services to offenders that require more intensive post-custody support with mental health and addictions counselling, housing, employment, life-skills development and culturally appropriate interventions and community supports.

Potential indicators (Please note that these are provided as sample indicators. Organizations can develop their own indicators to measure the expected outcomes):

• Increased collaboration among partner agencies to offer programs specialized in gang-exiting and intervention.
• Availability of attractive alternatives that empower individuals involved in gang-life to safely exit and pursue new opportunities.
• Specialized resources designed to help gang-involved individuals identify and commit to long-term positive, pro-social and non-criminal goals.
• Increased wrap around supports for young offenders and their families.
• Scheduled follow-ups throughout the exiting process to support individuals navigate their journey towards their long-term objectives and goals.

2. Increased availability to culturally appropriate programming options

Funding is available to support initiatives that focus on improving access to programs designed and facilitated by those who understand the cultural context of those involved in or at risk of joining gangs.

There is an identified gap in prevention and intervention programs that support newcomers, Indigenous people, and address the specific needs of ethno-cultural groups. More programs that deliver services in multiple languages and take into consideration barriers to integration, such as immigration trauma, intergenerational trauma, cultural requirements and customs, system navigation for education and other resources, and parenting skills development are required. Program design and delivery should be informed by diverse worldviews, ways of knowing and being, cultural beliefs and practices. Additional protective factors, such as home visits by professional supports and parent support programs, are an identified need for families coming from conflict zones.

Potential indicators (Please note that these are provided as sample indicators. Organizations can develop their own indicators to measure the expected outcomes):

• Inclusion of language needs and cultural norms in program design.
• Increased availability of gang prevention/intervention programs and services in diverse environments and familiar cultural settings.
• Increased availability of gang prevention/intervention programs that address the needs of newcomers, Indigenous people, such as the trauma of immigration adversity, and impacts of intergenerational trauma.
• Established partnerships with local communities and faith-based organizations to increase convenience and comfort for participants.

3. Enhanced formal support for parents and families of youth engaged in gang activity

Funding is available to support initiatives that focus on gang-intervention programs that use an integrated approach that involves the parents and the family unit.

There are relatively few prevention and intervention programs targeted specifically to parents and caregivers of at-risk or gang-involved children and youth. Programs which offer parent workshops or skills development opportunities, either through schools or community-based organizations, could help parents and caregivers resolve anti-social behaviours in children before they escalate to criminality. In addition, there is a lack of information for individuals and families on how to navigate appropriate services, as well as a need for better coordination between programs.

Potential indicators (Please note that these are provided as sample indicators. Organizations can develop their own indicators to measure the expected outcomes):

• Additional programs that support the unique needs of parents and families impacted by gang and gun violence, including resources for those with youth at-risk of gang involvement.
• Strengthened connections between families and the local community.
• Enhanced system navigation including increased access to information on the benefits of youth programs and how to participate.
• Information can be easily obtained through a variety of platforms.
• Increased opportunities for parents to access family therapy and training programs to help reduce frequency of conflict.
• Availability of family and group therapy to find effective strategies to mitigate risk for youth.
• Consistent and flexible access to youth programs, enabling individuals and families to align participation with their lifestyle needs.
• Access to education and awareness regarding the issues related to gangs, the social pressures related to gangs, and the types of criminal acts that often lead to gang activity.
• Increased outreach to help share information about available resources and their related benefits.

4. Strengthened access to mentorship, guidance, outreach, and support for gang-involved individuals.

Funding is available to support initiatives that focus on peer and lived experience street outreach programs to help establish relationship with hard to reach, gang-involved individuals.

There is an opportunity to increase support for peer led/lived experienced, street outreach programs to meet hard-to-reach, gang-involved individuals where they are. Outreach workers engage individuals by building relationships and using trauma-informed and culturally appropriate interventions to connect individuals to services. These street outreach programs that draw on the lived experience of gang involvement can also normalize the idea of exiting the gang lifestyle and provide positive examples of successful transitions.

Potential indicators (Please note that these are provided as sample indicators. Organizations can develop their own indicators to measure the expected outcomes):

• Enhanced mentoring services offered to high-risk populations that are underserved because of location, a shortage of mentors, physical or mental challenges, or other related issues identified by the community.
• Level of engagement between outreach workers and individuals by developing relationships utilizing trauma-informed and culturally appropriate interventions.
• Structured activities and programs for mentoring matches, with training and support for mentors.
• Increased opportunities for individuals to form positive and trusting relationships with others in their community, including those with lived experience of gang involvement, and the opportunity provide positive examples of successful transitions.

While these various distinct funding areas are available for categorization and prioritization purposes, we recognize that the outcomes within each may overlap. Eligible organizations are invited to apply to the BSCF for funding under the prevention or intervention outcome area that is most relevant to their organization’s core operations or proposed program/initiative

Funding is available to non-profit organizations registered under the Companies Act, RSA 2000, c C-21, the Societies Act, RSA 2000, c S14 or the Business Corporations Act, RSA 2000, c B-9, and provide services within Calgary’s city limits. Funding is available for organizations with programs and initiatives with a track record of positive impact.

In alignment with Public Safety Canada, proposed initiatives/programs must fall under one of the following criteria:

• Public Safety Crime Prevention Inventory (CPI) identified model program. Organizations can use the CPI to help identify successful/promising practices to incorporate into the development of their programs and indicate which program they are modeling.
• New or innovative program or initiative
• Existing program or initiative with incremental change (for example: new or enhanced services, new population served such as age group, culturally appropriate programming, or new delivery model, or similar)

Activities eligible for funding must support the objectives of the BSCF and programs/initiatives must operate within The City of Calgary with the focus on reducing urban violence within the city. This includes:

• Delivery of prevention or intervention initiatives for youth and young adults addressing risk factors associated with gun and gang violence, including but not limited to mentoring, counselling, skills development and recreational opportunities;
• Targeted awareness, outreach and education;
• Collaboration and integration of cross sector initiatives related to gun and gang violence.
  

BSCF funding cannot be used for the following costs:

• Any goods or services currently funded through federal or provincial funding. BSCF funding cannot be used to replace or displace existing funding provided by another order of government.
• Ongoing core activities or operation expenses. Proposed programs/initiatives must be enhancements (incremental changes) or new initiatives. Funding is not intended to support ongoing core activities or pre-existing programs of an organization.
• Any costs already supported through existing police service agreements, including costs associated with Police service salaries, incremental and general policing services. Police services and authorities are not eligible to receive funding under the BSCF.
• Costs required to sustain an organization that do not relate to direct service delivery under the proposed program or initiative within this BSCF opportunity.
• Interest charges or costs of borrowing as well as amortization.

All applications submitted will undergo a fair and consistent review process. City of Calgary Administration will review all funding applications. Other subject matter experts, including external community stakeholders may be consulted, as needed. Following The City of Calgary’s review of applications, recommendations are forwarded to Public Safety Canada for final approval.

Applications will be assessed in the following areas:

Eligibility

• Application is received by the deadline – late applications will not be processed;
• Application is complete - partial applications will not be processed;
• Organization is a registered non-profit organization or an organization registered to legally operate in Alberta;
• Organization operates within Calgary city limits;
• Organization is in good standing with The City of Calgary;
• Organization and program align with the criteria of this call for funding proposals.

Capacity & Experience

• Organizations with demonstrated experience and track record providing the services (or like services) outlined in this call for proposals;
• Demonstration that new programs or program enhancement activities can be launched as soon as funding agreement is signed.

Program Design and Effectiveness:

• Service delivery to tackle gun and gang activities is clearly articulated, including impacted population(s);
• Demonstration of need, and evidence to support request;
• Clear outline and alignment of intended priority area, outcomes and indicators;
• Partners and their roles are clearly identified (if applicable);
• Requested budget amount is proportionate and aligned to the type of proposed activities.

The City of Calgary will review applications and make decisions by the end of December 2022. All applicants will be notified on the outcome of their application shortly thereafter. All decisions and recommendations for funding will be subject to approval by Public Safety Canada and pending upon execution of a formal agreement between The City of Calgary and the applicant.

Applicants may be asked to submit additional documents or answer follow up questions to support the review and decision process. 

Organizations selected for funding must carry adequate ($2,000,000) commercial general liability insurance, with The City of Calgary as an additional insured.

Organizations that are not selected for funding may request feedback on why the application wasn’t successful and what could be done differently in the future. Requests for feedback should be sent to fundingproposals@calgary.ca.

Organizations will be required to report using the following accountability methods:

• Interim-report: An initial interim-report will be submitted through FIMS following the first 6-months of initiative/program launch to determine progress.
• Annual report: An annual report will be submitted through FIMS to detail milestones, setbacks and annual outputs and outcomes.
• Final-report: A final report, in the form of the annual report will be required for the end of the program term will be submitted through FIMS that details the outputs and outcomes of the full program.
• Financial Report: A financial report and a financial statement are due on an
  annual basis following the completion of the fiscal year. The costs associated
  with audited financial statements can be included in the application’s budget
  section.
• Audited Financial Statement: Audited financial statements may be required within three months after the organization’s fiscal year-end.
  
  NOTE: Organizations are encouraged to include the costs associated with audited financial statements in the application’s budget section.

Additional guiding documents, information, and helpful links are included below to assist your organization in developing a proposal.

• Community-Based Public Safety Task Force report
• Overview of Direct Intervention Approaches to Address Youth Gangs and Youth Violence
• Youth Gang Prevention Fund Projects: What Did We Learn About What Works in Preventing Gang Involvement?
• Youth Gangs in Canada: A Review of Current Topics and Issues
• Project Planning and Evaluation
• Research Summary - Crime Prevention Programs in Canada: Examining Key Implementation Elements for Indigenous Populations 

• Children, youth & young adults – in alignment with Public Safety Canada, programs participating in this opportunity should focus on children, youth and young adults, which are defined as individuals between the ages of 6-26 years old.
• Community-Based Public Safety Task Force (CBPSTF) – Formed in 2020, this task force was created with the intent to identify and address community concerns around escalating violent crime in Calgary, with a focus on gang and gun violence. Findings from this work can be found in the CBPSTF report.
• Crime Prevention Inventory (CPI) – The CPI is a tool created by Public Safety Canada which acts as a searchable database of crime prevention programs that work best in the Canadian context and are identified as successful/promising practices. It was developed in collaboration with provinces and territories across Canada.
• Building Safer Communities Fund (BSCF) Canada – The BSCF program is a Canada wide funding initiative, supported by the Government of Canada through Public Safety Canada, with $250 million in funding to help eligible municipalities and Indigenous communities prevent gun and gang violence by tackling its root causes. The City of Calgary has been identified as an eligible community recipient of the BSCF fund and through this opportunity, Calgary’s BSCF will be supporting local community programs and responses aligned with BSCF Canada.
• Funding Information Management System (FIMS) - A secure, online platform for non-profit organizations to manage their organization's profiles, manage their reporting requirements, and apply for funding for social programs and services;
• myID - An online service that provides citizens and business owners access to multiple City of Calgary services using a single account. A myID business account is required to access the Funding Information Management System (FIMS).
• Prevention vs. Intervention – As per the Task Force report, programs and strategies that focus on prevention, intervention and suppression are effective tools for addressing gang involvement and gang-related violence. Prevention programs generally target children and youth at high risk of becoming involved in crime, often by strengthening protective factors against gang involvement such as participation in sports, pro-social activities and positive interactions with adults in school or community settings. Intervention programs typically focus on individuals who are actively engaged in a gang or have been involved in criminal activity. These programs are more likely to offer a wraparound approach which provides on-going support and removes barriers to education, employment and access to recreation and cultural activities. Both types of programs work by increasing positive influences in the lives of individuals and caregivers, while ensuring families have the basic needs, knowledge and skills required to mitigate the impact of risk factors.
  

The following is a list of frequently asked questions submitted from interested proponents to this opportunity. 

When will successful applicants receive funding?

As funding is contingent on Public Safety Canada, funding and accompanying funding agreements will be provided by the end of April 2023. 

Who and what kind of organization is eligible for this funding?

As outlined in the grand guidelines, Funding is available to non-profit organizations registered under the Companies Act, RSA 2000, c C-21, the Societies Act, RSA 2000, c S14 or the Business Corporations Act, RSA 2000, c B-9, and provide services within Calgary’s city limits.

What are your expectations in terms of collaboration with other stakeholders and agencies?

The City values collaboration of all forms in organizations providing prevention & intervention social services in the community.  While there is no minimum expectation, we recommend that applicants have a general awareness of the current contributors and service providers in the system, and where their proposed initiative/program fits into that system. 

Some of those providers are listed in the Community-Based Public Safety Task Force report.

Who else is currently doing the work outlined in BSCF in the community?

As BSCF is a new funding stream, no programs are currently funded under this initiative.  However, the City of Calgary supports a number of current prevention and intervention initiatives related to this work under other funding streams.  

What other related initiatives and programs are taking place in Calgary?

As a start, interested proponents can refer to the list of organizations and programs funded under the Crime Prevention Investment Plan, and the Community Safety Investment Framework.  While these funding streams have their own criteria, they do have the commonality of emphasizing community safety.  

Additionally, please refer to the Community-Based Public Safety Task Force report for an overview of other programs related to this work. 

Lastly, we also would recommend proponents interested in this opportunity to review the Crime Prevention Inventory for a list of organizations doing relevant work across Canada. 

What level of evidence about a program's success in gang-exiting or gang prevention is required?

There is no minimum level of evidence required.  The City of Calgary will consider all evidence that demonstrates the proponent has a strong track record of positive social impact.  Any indicators or evaluation completed that can support intended impact will be welcomed. 

What does it mean to have a track record of positive impact?

This means preference will be made for organizations that have a record of positive community impact and have demonstrated success in completing similar work to what they are proposing in this opportunity.  As above, any indicators or evaluation completed that can support intended impact will be welcomed.

Are administrative costs related to program delivery considered "eligible expenses", and is there a standard acceptable ratio for this?

Yes, administrative costs up to 10% will be considered for this process. 

Is the call open to both new and existing initiatives?

Both new and existing programs can apply. For existing programs there must  be an incremental change to the program for it to be considered. 

Would an application for a completely new program that incorporates existing programming, still be eligible?

Funding cannot be used to support current programs and ongoing core operations as they exist currently.  Applicants are asked to explain the change they are making to the program.

As outlined in the BSCF web content/guidelines, incremental change can mean new or enhanced services, new population served such as age group, culturally appropriate programming, or new delivery model, or similar.  Thus an existing program can be eligible given sufficient rationale.

Could you expand on the definition of at-risk-youth?

For this fund, at-risk is defined as the circumstances that place young people at greater vulnerability for justice involvement, including problem behaviors, such as substance abuse, school failure, and juvenile delinquency, along with mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety.

Our expectation is that organizations working with at-risk youth are best positioned to determine what these risk factors and indicators are. 

If proponents currently work with at-risk-youth, but do not track engagement in gang activity, for the reporting, would it be expected that successful applicants track this information?

Through this opportunity, we ask that proponents determine what information and indicators best inform reporting for the outcomes you intend to achieve. 

Additional indicators may be developed in the future based on the input from organizations applying to this opportunity.

In regards to the budget template, do proponents apply for 3 years of funding or is it only 1 year

Funding is for up to 3 years – 2023-2024, 2024-2025, 2025-2026.

Proponents can apply for 1 or more of these years for funding. 

Should applications only include staffing costs, or are other expenses eligible?

We will consider your entire proposal budget including staff costs, program participant service costs, operational and other costs.  Proponents are encouraged to provide a level of detail that demonstrates how their proposed program costs align with the proposed activities in order to achieve the indicated outcomes.

What is the anticipated timeline for this funding opportunity? When are decisions made and funding issued? 

We anticipate notice of funding recommendations to be in December 2022 with funding to follow by end of April 2023. This is due to the fact that we are dependent on Public Safety Canada for funding and final decisions.

Can a new initiative have already started before we obtain the funding from this BSCF grant?

While this funding can support new or existing programs (with “enhancements” as defined in the grant opportunity), funding cannot be retroactively applied to any programming prior to the date a formal funding agreement between the City of Calgary and the grant recipient is signed (i.e. before April 1, 2023).

Are you able to advise the typical grant amount (or range) funded for this initiative?

There is not a set minimum or maximum for funding requests. As a guideline, funding requests should scale appropriately to your proposed program model as well as be well within your current capacity/experience as an organization. 

Questions during this application period can be directed to fundingproposals@calgary.ca.

If you have identified barriers with this call for funding proposals or would like to suggest ideas on how to make this funding process more accessible and equitable, please contact us. We are committed to integrating feedback when possible and providing rationale if we are currently unable to make the changes.

Email: fundingproposals@calgary.ca

The Community Safety Investment Framework is a collaborative effort between The City of Calgary (The City), the Calgary Police Service (CPS) and community partners to connect and identify ways to improve support for Calgarians in crisis due to mental health concerns, addictions, or other similar challenges.

In December 2021, the Centre for Suicide Prevention and PolicyWise for Children & Families completed a research report titled Transforming Calgary’s Crisis Response System. The report made recommendations on how to strengthen Calgary’s crisis response system. One of the areas for change identified is the gap in Community Mobile Crisis Response, especially one that has a mechanism to incorporate peer support, and a diverse, multidisciplinary approach to provide immediate resources to the individual experiencing the crisis, their families, friends, and support networks where the Person in Crisis is located.

As part of the effort to transform Calgary’s Crisis Response System, The City of Calgary and the Calgary Police Service are inviting a letter of intent from organizations interested in delivering a “Community Mobile Crisis Response” pilot project. Eligible organizations are invited to submit a letter to demonstrate their interest, capacity, and experience in delivering Community Mobile Crisis Response. The pilot project will run from September 1, 2022 to February 28, 2023 inclusive and will provide support to Persons in Crisis by dispatching a team of two support workers. During the first three months of the pilot, CPS will provide sworn members assigned to offer assistance to the Mobile Crisis Response Teams.

Please review the following information before submitting your letter of intent:

• The information on this Call for Funding Proposals webpage in its entirety
• Community Safety Investment Framework
• Community Mobile Crisis Response pilot project
• Review the glossary section below.

Organizations interested in this call must submit a three-page letter of intent to fundingproposals@calgary.ca by July 12, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. (MST). Late submissions will not be accepted. Submissions that exceed the three-page limit will only be assessed based on the information provided on the first three pages. 

The letter of intent should answer the following questions:

• What experience does your organization have to deliver mobile crisis response services that is person-centered, equity-based, coordinated, and trauma-informed?
• What are the steps that your organization will take to deliver the Mobile Crisis Response pilot project as outlined in the Resource section?
• Does your organization have the ability to launch the pilot program as soon as funds are confirmed?
• Does your organization have the ability to onboard a minimum of 14 staff to fully implement this pilot project starting September 2022?
• Does your organization have the ability to deliver the pilot project in two of the Calgary Police Service Districts?
• How do you plan to measure the impact of the program?
• How do you plan to collaborate with other organizations to deliver this program?
• What is the detailed budget for this program?

Funding through the Community Safety Investment Framework is available for the Community Mobile Crisis Response pilot project. This funding is for six-months, and future funding will depend on the success of the pilot project and availability of resources.

The Community Mobile Crisis Response pilot project will respond to Persons in Crisis (by dispatching through the Distress Centre Calgary / 211) a team of two support workers to provide direct assistance. Priority will be given to collaborative approaches that lead to a transformed crisis response system that is person-centered, coordinated, equity-based, evidence-based, and trauma-informed.

The Community Mobile Crisis Response pilot project will be funded through CSIF and will address an identified gap in services in the crisis response system. The objective of the project is to provide trauma-informed care to persons in need of urgent support due to mental or emotional distress, conflict, or a threat to their safety.

This unique pilot project will require creativity, collaboration with a range of outreach support, and the establishment of relationships with other community agencies providing crisis response services. The project will require hiring, training, and mentoring of staff, managing supplies and equipment, and operating up to seven days a week, for up to 24 hours a day. In addition, the successful organization(s) must demonstrate the capacity to launch a pilot project by September 2022.

The call for letter of intent is open to not-for-profit voluntary organizations registered under the Societies Act or the Companies Act in Alberta, or the Federal Not-for-profit Corporations Act, and operating within Calgary’s city limits.

The Organization must demonstrate:

• operational capacity, including sound governance, financial outlook, and the use of evidence-based practices.
• ability to have the necessary infrastructure to support the pilot project including transportation, human resources, training, supplies, liability insurance and technical support.
• ability to manage and deliver the Community Mobile Crisis Response pilot project in the format outlined (operating up to seven days a week/up to 24 hours a day).
• a commitment to providing culturally appropriate services with an integration of traditional health practices.
• ability to provide crisis response that meets the needs of the diverse identities including culture, language, age, gender, ability, comorbidities, and sexual orientations.
• willingness and ability to collaborate with other organizations.
• ability to deliver a flexible program that is scalable to accommodate peak times (i.e., including during times of municipal, provincial, or global crises).
• plans to evaluate and measure the Community Mobile Crisis Response pilot project’s impact.

Prepare a proposed operational program plan for the Community Mobile Crisis Response pilot project that demonstrates the following:

• launch a Community Mobile Crisis Response pilot project by September 2022.
  
• provide service up to seven days per week and up to 24 hours per day, with a minimum of providing service Wednesday through Sunday and between the hours of 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. and with the ability to scale up to eventually provide service seven days per week / 24 hours per day.
• have a minimum of 14 staff providing mobile crisis response service.
• provide staff who have the ability to provide crisis and de-escalation services, peer support, and/or medical or health training.
• launch a Community Mobile Crisis Response pilot project in two of the Calgary Police Service Districts (to be identified).
• be flexible to work in any area of the city of Calgary.
• provide voluntary, confidential, free of charge service to a Person in Crisis, when and where they are located.
• work with the Distress Centre Calgary / 211 to be dispatched.

In addition, the letter of intent must demonstrate alignment to the six Community Safety Investment Framework principles:

1. Transformative – to improve crisis response in Calgary
2. Equity-based – to provide culturally and racially responsive services and remove systemic barriers
3. Person-centered – to empower and bring hope to Calgarians and their families
4. Coordinated – to improve systems integration for better effectiveness and efficiency
5. Evidence-based – to use research and analysis to inform investments
6. Trauma-informed – to strengthen resilience among Calgarians and their families

By the end of July 2022, all organizations will be notified on the outcome of their letter of intent.

If the letter of intent is successful, organizations will be asked to submit a full application through the Funding Information Management System (FIMS). Organizations are encouraged to explore the Funding Information Management System as early as possible.

Organizations may be asked to submit additional documents or answer questions to support the review and decision process.

Successful organizations will need to provide proof of Commercial General Liability (CGL) in an amount not less than Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00) inclusive, with The City of Calgary as an additional insured.

Note: Organizations are encouraged to include the costs associated with insurance in the budget section.

Organizations will be required to report using the following accountability methods:

• Mid-project progress report. This report will be due on Dec 15, 2022.
  
• Project-end report that details the program outputs and outcomes. This report will be due on April 30, 2023.
• A financial report and an unaudited financial statement. This report will be due on April 30, 2023.
• An audited financial statement(s) will need to be submitted within three months after the organization’s fiscal year-end.

Note: Organizations are encouraged to include the costs associated with audited financial statements in the budget section.

• A Person in Crisis is defined as a person in need of urgent support due to mental or emotional distress, conflict or a threat to their safety.
• Mobile Crisis Response Teams will provide support to a person in crisis, by dispatching a team of two civilian support workers to provide direct assistance that leads in the creation of an equitable and effective crisis response system. The team will be supported by police for the first three months of the pilot project.
• Funding Information Management System is a secure, online platform for non-profit organizations to manage their organization’s profiles, manage their reporting requirements, and apply for funding for social programs and services.

All questions about the Community Safety Investment Framework Fund call for letter of intent (Community Mobile Crisis Response pilot project) can be sent to fundingproposals@calgary.ca.

The City of Calgary accepted applications for the Family & Community Support Services (FCSS) program from April 14, 2022 to June 2, 2022. Funding was available for established non-profit organizations to provide evidence-based preventive social service programs and initiatives that promote and enhance well-being among individuals, families, and communities.

Information on eligibility requirements and application process can be found here.

2022 Capacity-Building and Emerging Issues Fund

The Capacity-Building and Emerging Issues Fund is available to eligible non-profit organizations for one-time initiatives to strengthen their organizational effectiveness, increase their programs’ impact, and address emerging issues and trends that are impacting Calgarians.

The Capacity-Building & Emerging Issues Fund is implemented via two focus areas, each with their own eligibility criteria: Emerging Social Issues for initiatives that address an emerging social issue or trend and Organizational Effectiveness for initiatives that strengthen organizations.

Community-based organizations

This year community-based organizations will be encouraged, and supported, to submit proposals within either funding stream, to implement initiatives that will lead to positive change for the Calgarians they serve. Community-based organizations are those that are:

• A registered non-profit organization;
• Led by members of the community they serve, and;
• Have an annual operating budget of less than $250,000 a year, or
  
• Have four or less fulltime-equivalent (FTE) staff positions. 

See the glossary section for more information on communities and community-based organizations.

Of the $1 million of City funds allocated towards capacity-building, up to $350,000 will be directed towards initiatives developed by community-based organizations. The City has partnered with the Calgary Foundation and the United Way of Calgary and Area to collectively provide financial and in-kind support for the community-based organizations that receive funding.

How to apply

All eligible applicants must apply through the Funding Information Management System (FIMS) Download this copy of the application form to prepare your answers ahead of time.

Organizations that don't have a FIMS account must register in the FIMS system before accessing an application. Organizations access FIMS with a myID business account. A myID business account is a single sign-on approach used by businesses and organizations to access City services online. Learn about how to obtain a myID business account and register for FIMS here.

If you have questions or experience challenges accessing FIMS during this application period, please contact us at fundingproposals@calgary.ca at any time for alternative options to submit your application. Successful applicants will need to set up a FIMS account for payment and reporting purposes

If you have questions during this application period, contact us at fundingproposals@calgary.ca at any time.

Application period

The 2022 Capacity-Building and Emerging Issues Fund is now closed. Applications were accepted from January 10, 2022 until March 7, 2022.

Questions can be directed to fundingproposals@calgary.ca at any time.

Description of funding

A total of up to $1,000,000 is available in 2022.

The purpose of the Capacity-Building & Emerging Issues Fund is to strengthen the capacity of the non-profit sector, organizations and/or programs to effectively address the needs of Calgarians experiencing vulnerabilities. Funds are intended for initiatives that will strengthen an organization’s effectiveness or service delivery, so that its outcomes can be improved and sustained over time. Initiatives should be targeted at developing the capabilities of an organization so it can better respond to the changing needs of Calgarians. 

The Capacity-Building & Emerging Issues Fund is implemented via two focus areas, each with their own eligibility criteria: Emerging Social Issues for sector-wide initiatives and Organizational Effectiveness for initiatives that strengthen organizations.

Objectives

Emerging social issues 

Grant amount: $15,000 to $50,000 for each project.

Funds are available to support initiatives to address an emerging social issue or trend. Initiatives should be led by members of the community that are directly involved in, or impacted by, a particular issue. These initiatives would support knowledge development and exchange amongst the community most impacted by the issue and/or social service organizations that would respond to it. Funds may be used to establish new collaborations or strengthen existing collaborative efforts. 

Examples of initiatives include:

• Creation of a sustainability plan to support the social inclusion of a community or population;
• Participatory action efforts to increase involvement of stakeholders in addressing issues of social inclusion;
• Social inclusion initiatives addressing service gaps among Calgarians experiencing vulnerabilities;
• Collective impact initiatives that coordinate efforts among organizations focusing on a specific issue;
• Collaborative initiatives with organizations that seek to explore how issues can be addressed at the systems or policy level.

Anticipated outcomes:

• New innovative strategies developed to address emerging social issues;
• Individuals of a community are brought together to identify needs and solutions;
• Innovative community-based initiatives are designed, developed, and implemented;
• New partnerships among two or more non-profit organizations are established and sustainable;
• Coordinated response to emerging social issues or trends;
• Service gaps and strategies to address them are identified. 

Organizational effectiveness

Grant amount: $10,000 to $30,000 for each project.

Funds are available to support an organization in increasing its effectiveness to support Calgarians experiencing vulnerabilities. 

These initiatives would include increasing the adaptive or technical capacity of an organization to support Calgarians experiencing vulnerabilities. Such work should go beyond regular programmatic activities of an organization and seek to enhance the ability of the organization to be adaptive and responsive. This capacity-building work should start with an assessment of the organization in order to accurately determine how it can better serve Calgarians experiencing vulnerabilities.

Examples of initiatives could include:

• Adjusting program design to be more responsive to the needs of Calgarians experiencing vulnerabilities;
• Strategies that help organizations better align with emerging trends in the non-profit sector, or better respond to emerging issues impacting its targeted population group;
• Related capacities include power analysis, network analysis, understanding the emerging issue lifecycle;
• Evaluation or learning tools to better identify and understand the community they serve;
• Development of policies or practices that result in more equitable, anti-oppressive, or anti-racist service delivery. 

Anticipated outcomes

• New strategies that enable an organization to prioritize, innovate, and respond to internal or external changes;
• Redistribution or reallocation of organizational resources to better respond to emerging issues;
• Increased ability to implement new organizational or programmatic functions. 

Eligibility

Emerging social issues

Organizational eligibility

• All non-profit social service organizations (including community-based organizations) registered under the Societies Act or the Companies Act in Alberta, or the Federal Not-for-profit Corporations Act, and operating within Calgary's city limits;
• Organizations must have a track record of serving the community most impacted by the emerging social issue.

Initiative eligibility

• One-time initiatives that address systems gaps or sector trends that may be impacting Calgarians experiencing vulnerabilities;
• Initiatives that work with an impacted population to develop new strategies to address an emerging social issue affecting Calgarians experiencing vulnerabilities.

Organizational effectiveness

Organizational eligibility

• Community-based organizations that are registered under the Societies Act or the Companies Act in Alberta, or the Federal Not-for-profit Corporations Act, and operating within Calgary's city limits.
• Organizations that are currently supported through the following funding programs administered by The City of Calgary:
  • Family & Community Support Services;
  • Crime Prevention Investment Plan;
  • Calgary’s Mental Health and Addiction Investment Framework;
  • Community Safety Investment Framework

Initiative eligibility

• One-time initiatives that strengthen organizational effectiveness and/or enhance program design to meet the needs of Calgarians experiencing vulnerabilities.

Ineligible initiatives

Capacity-Building funding is not available to support initiatives focused on the ongoing delivery of programs or services. Operational and administrative costs beyond those related directly to the initiative will not be funded.

Initiatives related to emergency or COVID-19 response are not eligible through the Capacity-Building Fund.

How we assess your application

Only one application may be submitted per organization.

Applications will be assessed in the following areas:

Fund eligibility

• Application is received by the deadline – late applications will not be processed;
• Application is complete - partial application will not be processed; 
• Organization is a registered non-profit organization and a legal entity in good standing;
• Organization operates within Calgary city limits;
• Organization and initiative align with the criteria of one of the two focus areas;
• Demonstrate that initiative is clearly one-time, with the ability to spend the dollars by Dec. 31, 2022.

Initiative eligibility

• Clear articulation of whose capacity is being built, what capacity is being built, and how capacity is being built;
• Evidence of unmet or changing need of Calgarians is clearly articulated, including impacted population(s);
• Impacted community is involved in proposed response (if applicable);
• Clear outline of intended outcomes;
• If partners are involved, their roles are clearly identified;
• The budget is proportionate to the type of proposed activities. 

Steps to apply

Read the information on this webpage in its entirety before filling out your application.

Register for a myID business account and the Funding Information Management System (FIMS). Learn about how to obtain a myID business account and register for FIMS here.

Applications must be submitted online through FIMS.

After you have applied

All applicants will be notified on the outcome of their application.

Applicants may be asked to submit additional documents or answer questions to support the review and decision process.  

Unsuccessful applicants may request feedback on why the application wasn’t successful and what could be done differently in the future. Requests for feedback should be sent to fundingproposals@calgary.ca.

Successful applicants will need to provide proof Commercial General Liability (CGL) in an amount not less than Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00) inclusive, with The City of Calgary as an additional insured.  

Organizations are encouraged to include the costs associated with insurance in the application’s budget section.

Reporting

Organizations will be required to report using the following accountability methods:

• An initiative-end report will be submitted through FIMS that details the initiative outputs and outcomes. This report will be due on March 1, 2023;
• A financial report and an unaudited financial statement will be submitted through FIMS. This report will be due on March 1, 2023;
• For initiatives funded for $25,000 or more, audited financial statements will need to be submitted within three months after the organization’s fiscal year-end.  If organizations currently receive funding through one of our prevention investment funding programs, funds can be accounted for as part of the organization’s annual global audit.
  • Family & Community Support Services;
  • Crime Prevention Investment Plan;
  • Calgary’s Mental Health and Addiction Investment Framework;
  • Community Safety Investment Framework.

Organizations are encouraged to include the costs associated with audited financial statements in the application’s budget section. 

Glossary

• Capacity-Building - Building the capacity of an organization or community involves strengthening the resources, capabilities, knowledge of a group, with the end goal of strengthening that group’s ability to achieve its mission and vision and increase its measurable impact. (Adapted from: Huffman, D., Thomas, K., & Lawrenz, F. (2008). American Journal of Evaluation, 29(3), 358-368.);
• Community - A community is a group of people that interact and support each other, and are bounded by shared experiences or characteristics, a sense of belonging, and often by their physical proximity. Examples include, but are not limited to, communities of geography, race, culture, religion, ability, sexuality, and experience.(Adapted from: Cobigo, V., Martin, L., & Mcheimech, R. (2016). Canadian Journal of Disability Studies, 5(4), 181-203.);
• Community-based organization -  Non-profit, non-governmental, or charitable organizations that represent community needs and work to help them. Community-based organizations may be associated with a particular area of concern or segment of the community. For the purposes of this fund, eligible community-based organizations are those that are led by members of the community they serve and have an annual operating budget of less than $250,000 a year or  have 4 or less fulltime-equivalent (FTE) staff positions.
• Emerging Social Issues -  A social condition, behavior, or service gap that has a negative impact on Calgarians experiencing vulnerabilities. The identified issue does not need to be new, but the approach to addressing it should be;
• Funding Information Management System (FIMS) -  A secure, online platform for non-profit organizations to manage their organization's profiles, manage their reporting requirements, and apply for funding for social programs and services;
• myID - An online service that provides citizens and business owners access to multiple City of Calgary services using a single account. A myID business account is required to access the Funding Information Management System (FIMS);
• Organizational Effectiveness - Developing the capabilities of an organization to improve its effectiveness and sustainability. (Cornforth, C., & Mordaunt, J. (2011). Voluntas, 22(3), 428-449.).

Contact us

If you have identified barriers with this call for funding proposals or would like to suggest ideas on how to make this funding more equitable, please contact us. We commit to integrating the feedback when possible and providing rationale if we are currently unable to make the changes. 

Email: fundingproposals@calgary.ca

Learn about current funding allocations.

Community Safety Investment Framework Fund call for letter of intent (Ambassador Program Investment) 

The Community Safety Investment Framework is a collaborative effort between The City of Calgary, the Calgary Police Service and community partners to connect and identify ways to improve support for Calgarians in crisis due to mental health concerns, addictions, or other similar challenges.

The Ambassador Program was created to connect Calgarians to resources, services, and supports, while providing a welcoming and safe presence in a local area. There are two currently operating Ambassador Programs funded through Community Safety Investment Framework: The Downtown Ambassador Program and the East Calgary Ambassador Program. There is an opportunity to expand this service into a greater geographical area in downtown Calgary.

Through the Community Safety Investment Framework, approximately $600,000 is available for the delivery of an additional Ambassador Program(s). This is a unique program that helps to create and promote a safe downtown and requires an organization(s) that can provide a mix of hospitality, social outreach and has existing, or can develop, relationships with Business Improvement Areas (BIAs). We are looking for innovative, collaborative approaches that will provide Ambassador Program(s) in the greater downtown, with a focus on five Business Improvement Areas including 17^th Avenue BIA, 4^th Street, BIA, Chinatown BIA, Victoria Park BIA, and Beltline BIA. The Calgary Downtown Association (Business Improvement Area) already has an Ambassador Program in place. The organization(s) that is selected to deliver the Ambassador Program(s) will be expected to collaborate with the Calgary Downtown Association. If the selected organization(s) can demonstrate Ambassador Program success and funds and resources remain available, the program could be expanded. The long-term plans for the Ambassador Program(s) include accommodating Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) outside of greater downtown.

Information sessions will be available in January 2022. Register for an information session if you are interested in attending.

Before you apply

Please review the following information:

• Read the information on this webpage in its entirety before submitting your letter of intent
• Community Safety Investment Framework
• Ambassador Program Overview
• Read the Glossary section

Submission period

Organizations interested in applying must submit a letter of intent to fundingproposals@calgary.ca by Jan. 31, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. (MST). 

Description of the funding

Up to $600,000 through the Community Safety Investment Framework is available for Ambassador Program(s). This funding is for a one-year program, future funding will depend on the success of the program and availability of funds and resources.

The Ambassador Program(s) will connect Calgarians and visitors to information, services, places, and support in the greater downtown Business Improvement Areas. The focus for the program is outreach (providing resources to those in need), safety, providing a presence in the area, and building relationships with local businesses, community organizations and citizens who may be spending time in the area for work or play. We are looking for an innovative, collaborative approach.

Objectives

The Ambassador Program is based on an approach that is welcoming, engaging, and inclusive. An ambassador’s role is to spread the message that everyone is welcome – businesses, shoppers, people who live, work, and visit the greater downtown area and Calgarians experiencing vulnerabilities. 

This is a unique program that will require creativity and collaboration with a mix of hospitality, outreach, relationships with the Business Improvement Areas in the greater downtown area, as well as the larger community as needs arise. The program would require hiring, training, and mentoring of staff, managing supplies and equipment, providing a designated location, and operating seven days a week, up to 10 hours a day. 

The organization(s) would need to have the ability to launch a program by June 2022. We would consider a joint submission if multiple organizations partnered to meet the program requirements.

Eligibility and how to apply

The Community Safety Investment Framework Fund - call for letter of intent (Ambassador Program Investment) is open to not-for-profit voluntary organizations registered under the Societies Act or the Companies Act in Alberta, or the Federal Not-for-profit Corporations Act, and operating within Calgary’s city limits.

Letters of intent can be submitted to fundingproposals@calgary.ca, and must be limited to two pages (any letter longer than two pages will not be considered).

The letter of intent should answer the following questions:

• What experience or partnership plan does your organization have to deliver outreach and/or hospitality services?
• What are the steps that your organization will take to deliver the Ambassador Program as outlined above?
• How soon can you implement the program?
• How do you plan to measure the impact of the program?
• How do you plan to collaborate with the five Business Improvement Areas in the greater downtown area and other organizations to deliver this program?
• How much funding will you be requesting for this program?

Ensure your letter of intent demonstrates one or more of the following: 

• That the program will increase the availability of non-emergency support and outreach services.  
• Align the program with the six Community Safety Investment Framework principles: 
• Transformative - to improve crisis response in Calgary  
• Equity-based - to provide culturally and racially responsive services and remove systemic barriers  
• Person-centered - to empower and bring hope to Calgarians and their families 
• Coordinated - to improve systems integration for better effectiveness and efficiency 
• Evidence-based - to use research and analysis to inform investments  
• Trauma-informed - to strengthen resilience among Calgarians and their families 

To be considered eligible for funding the following requirements need to be met (the relevant documents may be required later):

Organizational Eligibility:

• Demonstrate your organization’s operational capacity, including sound governance, financial outlook, and the use of evidence-based practices. 
• Demonstrate your organization’s ability to have the necessary infrastructure to support the program including securing a physical location in the greater downtown area, human resources, training, supplies and technical support.
• Demonstrate your organization’s ability to accommodate cultural/language requirements (e.g., Chinatown).
• Demonstrate your organization’s willingness to collaborate with the current Ambassador Programs operating in Calgary.  

Program Eligibility:

Prepare a proposed operational program plan for the Ambassador Program(s) that demonstrates the following:

• Your ability to manage and deliver the Ambassador Program(s) in the format outlined (operates up to seven days a week/up to10 hours a day).
• Your ability to deliver a flexible program that is scalable to accommodate busy times (e.g., Stampede, festivals, events).
• You or a partner's ability to program and deliver effective outreach or community-based services.
• Your ability to launch an Ambassador Program(s) by June 2022.
• Show your plans to evaluate and measure the Ambassador Program(s) impact.

After you have applied

By mid-February 2022, all organizations will be notified on the outcome of their letter of intent.

If your request is successful, you will be asked to submit a full application through the Funding Information Management System (FIMS). Organizations are encouraged to explore the Funding Information Management System as early as possible.

If you have any questions, please email us at fundingproposals@calgary.ca.

Organizations may be asked to submit additional documents or answer questions to support the review and decision process.

Successful organizations will need to provide proof of Commercial General Liability (CGL) in an amount not less than Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00) inclusive, with The City of Calgary as an additional insured.

Note: Organizations are encouraged to include the costs associated with insurance in the budget section.

Reporting

Organizations will be required to report using the following accountability methods:

• Quarterly progress report through the Funding Information Management System
• Project-end report will be submitted through the Funding Information Management System that details the program outputs and outcomes. This report will be due on June 30, 2023
• A financial report and an unaudited financial statement will be submitted through the Funding Information Management System . This report will be due on June 30, 2023
• An audited financial statement(s) will need to be submitted within three months after the organization’s fiscal year-end

Note: Organizations are encouraged to include the costs associated with audited financial statements in the budget section

Glossary

• Ambassador Program(s) will connect Calgarians and visitors to information, services, places, and supports. The focus for the program is outreach (providing resources to those in need), safety, providing a presence in the area, and building relationships with local businesses, community organizations and citizens who may be spending time in the area for work or play. This is a unique program that helps to create and promote a safe downtown and requires an organization(s) that can provide a mix of hospitality, social outreach and has existing, or can develop, relationships with Business Improvement Areas.
• Business Improvement Area is a group of businesses in an area that work together on local improvements.
• Funding Information Management System is a secure, online platform for non-profit organizations to manage their organization's profiles, manage their reporting requirements, and apply for funding for social programs and services.
• The Greater Downtown Area is made up of six communities that surround the confluence of the Bow and Elbow rivers including the downtown core, downtown west, Eau Claire, Chinatown, East Village, and the Beltline.

Contact us

Two information sessions will be available in January 2022. Register for a session if you are interested in attending.

All questions about the Community Safety Investment Framework Fund call for letter of intent (Ambassador Program Investment) can be sent to fundingproposals@calgary.ca.

On March 22, 2021 City Council approved Calgary’s Mental Health and Addiction Strategy, as well as the Investment Framework. To support the implementation of the Strategy, The City of Calgary launched a call for funding proposals for two streams, each with its own eligibility criteria:

• Connect the Dots! to enhance existing programs and services. Applications for Connect The Dots! are now closed. All applicants have been informed on the outcome of their application. 

• Change Can’t Wait! to test innovative ideas through fast pilot process. Applications for this stream have now closed. Applicants will be informed on the outcome of their Change Can’t Wait! Application in June, 2021.

Learn about current funding allocations.

The Community Safety Investment Framework Fund was available to strengthen existing community crisis response programs and services through two priority areas: Strengthening Existing Crisis Supports and Transforming Calgary’s Crisis Response System.

Applications for the Community Safety Investment Framework Fund are now closed. All applicants have been informed on the outcome of their application.

Learn about current funding allocations.