Neighbourhood Grant Information

The City of Calgary community social work program offers grants of up to $1000 to residents in select neighbourhoods, including Highland Park. If you have questions, please email NeighbourhoodGrants@calgary.ca or speak with your neighbourhood community social worker, Jessica at Jessica.Pauletig@calgary.ca or (403) 512-4578.

Information on this page is sourced from www.calgary.ca. You can view the information below along with extra details about what can be expensed and other FAQs in the Neighbourhood Community Grant Information Guide.

What projects can I use the grant for?

Social Inclusion

Helping everyone feel welcome and included
Examples: Neighbour Day events, welcoming new neighbours, community walk/tour, etc.
Build connections between neighbours from different backgrounds
Examples: Share your cultural events, conversations about local issues, art workshops, etc.
Build a stronger sense of community
Examples: Community murals, mental health and wellness workshops, etc.

Economic Participation

Helping people in the community save money
Examples: Community gardens, community cooking, lending libraries (tools, sports equipment), etc.
Helping people learn new skills
Examples: Sewing or beading group, canning workshop, resume building, renters rights workshops, etc.
Supporting local community members/entrepreneurs
Examples: Host a local community market, hire a local artist/Elder, purchase supplies from a small business in your community, create networking opportunities for home-based businesses, start a sewing group, etc.

Anti-Racism

Supporting efforts that seek to eliminate racism and discrimination in your neighbourhood
Examples: Anti-racism book club, workshops on anti-racism, creating safe spaces for dialogue, storytelling, photo or video projects on anti-racism, etc.
Building understanding and unity between different cultures and faiths in your community
Examples: Documentaries and discussions, community art projects, dialogue between different cultural groups, Elder talks, cultural celebrations and learning, Black History Month, Lunar New Year, Eid, Diwali, etc.
Creating opportunities for Indigenous, Black, and diverse Racialized people to build safer spaces where they can have conversations about racism.
Examples: Black youth community conversations, creating anti-racism spaces for Indigenous, Black, and diverse Racialized residents, and creating social media posts, etc.

Truth and Reconciliation

Building relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous neighbours
Examples: National Indigenous History Month events and teachings, Round Dance, mini-powwow, documentary and discussion with an Elder, etc.
Create opportunities for Indigenous residents to build or strengthen connections with traditional ways.
Examples: Elder storytelling, ribbon skirt making, rattles, drum or beading workshops, smudging, Seven Sacred Teachings, land-based teachings and ceremonies with Indigenous Elders, etc.
Learning and acknowledging the past and present impacts of colonialism
Examples: Teachings (i.e. KAIROS Blanket exercise), workshops on decolonization, book club, learning about the Truth & Reconciliation Commission, 94 Calls to Action, etc.

Calgary is located on the ancestral and traditional territory of the Blackfoot Confederacy, made up of the Siksika (Seeg-see-kah), Piikani (Bee-gun-nee), Amskaapipiikani (Om-Skaa-bee-bee-Gun-nee) and Kainai (G-ai-nah) First Nations; the Îethka Nakoda Wîcastabi (ee-YETH’-kah nah-COH’-dah WHISK’-ah-tah-bay) First Nations, comprised of the Chiniki (Chin-ick-ee), Bearspaw, and Goodstoney First Nations; and the Tsuut’ina (Soot-tenna) First Nation. The City of Calgary is also the homeland of the historic Northwest Métis and to the Otipemisiwak (Oti-pe-mes-se-wa) Métis Government, Métis Nation Battle River Territory (Nose Hill Métis District 5 and Elbow Métis District 6). We acknowledge all Indigenous people who have made Calgary their home. We are thankful for the opportunity this sacred place provides us to engage in reconciliation and make life better every day for all who call Calgary home.

Honorarium

Honorariums are gestures of appreciation recognizing knowledge, expertise and lived experience. For your community events, you may require an Indigenous Elder or Cultural Leader to provide a traditional protocol such as an opening prayer, blessing or ceremony, a welcome to the territory or a closing ceremony. Please contact community your social worker, Jessica Pauletig, for the recommended amounts. Community social workers can cover honorariums for Elders and Knowledge Keepers through a separate budget to allow more funds for your project. For more information on protocols and connecting with Elders, please contact your community social worker for more details.

Ready to Apply?

You can apply in a few different ways. Here are some options:

Download and fill out the application on your device and email it
Download and print the application and fill it out
You can request a paper copy to be sent to you by contacting NeighbourhoodGrants@calgary.ca
Create a short video to talk about your idea
You could present your idea to the Neighbourhood Advisory Committee
Connect with your community social worker, Jessica Pauletig, to discuss your idea. She can help you complete the application.
Bring together a small group of residents interested in your idea and fill out the application together.

Next steps:

Give yourself as much time as possible between submitting your Neighbourhood Grant idea and starting your project. We suggest two months.
Depending on how you apply, connect with your neighbourhood community social worker to submit your grant application or arrange a presentation. You can send it to NeighbourhoodGrants@calgary.ca.
Your application will be forwarded to an Advisory Committee. The committee is made up of resident volunteers.
The Advisory Committee reviews and makes recommendations on grant applications.
Once your application is approved, a member of the Advisory Committee will walk you through all the information.
Questions? You can contact NeighbourhoodGrants@calgary.ca or your neighbourhood committee social worker at Jessica.Pauletig@calgary.ca or (403) 512-4578