Alberta EcoTrust - Environmental Grants

The heart of Alberta Ecotrust's work is supporting the people and projects that effectively address Alberta's most pressing environmental issues.

The Environmental Impact Grant program criteria is available on this page, or you can download a PDF copy of the grant program guidelines. Contact our Program Specialists before submitting your Expression of Interest (EOI) to discuss your project’s fit (book a 30-minute call with Carolina or Diana).

Get up to $50,000

You can request up to $50,000 in funding for the Environmental Impact Grant.

Alberta Ecotrust Foundation would consider disbursing up to $100,000 to multiple groups in equal partnership on a high-impact initiative. Please indicate through the Expression of Interest (EOI) if you want to explore this additional funding and clearly outline your concept, approach and partners. We highly encourage you to contact one of our Program Specialists before your EOI to discuss this option (book a 30-minute call with Carolina or Diana).

If you apply as a high-impact initiative, your application will not be considered for the $50,000 amount. Only one high-impact grant will be awarded per grant cycle.

Are You Eligible?

Organizations can submit multiple initiatives at the EOI stage, but only one full application will be accepted per grant round.  The following organizations are eligible to apply:

Registered charities

Nonprofit organizations

Band Councils; Tribal Councils, Tribal Associations or Tribal Governments; and Organizations of Indigenous communities across Alberta

Municipalities, the Government of Alberta and provincial agencies, academia and for-profit and private sector entities can be eligible provided they partner with a charitable and/or nonprofit organization that acts as the lead proponent for the initiative.

Contact our grant teams at grants@albertaecotrust.com if you are unsure if you can apply.

Focus Areas Challenge Statements

Climate Resilience & Emissions Reductions

Circular Economy

Nature-based Solutions & Conservation

Overarching or Foundational

Environmental Impact Grant Timeline

December - January: Submit your Expression of Interest

The grant portal opened on December 5th, 2024. The EOI deadline was January 20th, 2025. 

We strongly encourage applicants to meet with Alberta Ecotrust staff to discuss their initiative prior to submitting an EOI. Appointments can be booked through our website or by emailing grants@albertaecotrust.com.  During this time staff will:

Endeavour to understand the organization and initiative objectives and work directly with applicants to ensure the initiative fits within the focus areas and priorities.

Strive to connect initiatives with additional resources and partners if applicable.

Build relationships with applicants and work to improve the quality of applications.

Book a 30-minute call with Carolina or Diana. 

January: Expression of Interest Screening

Alberta Ecotrust Staff will perform an EOI screen utilizing the evaluative criteria detailed in the Application Scorecard.

A short list of applicants will be invited to submit full proposals.

Direct feedback will be offered to unsuccessful applicants.

January - March: Full Applications

The full grant application period is from February 3 - March 3, 2025.

Alberta Ecotrust Staff work closely with applicants to assist in technical and financial due diligence, providing feedback and direction from the EOI stage.

March - April: Application Review and Decision-Making

Environmental Advisory Committee made funding decisions.

April: Award

Successful applicants were notified on April 11, 2025, and Contribution Agreements must be signed within three months of notification.

May - Feedback for Applicants

All unsuccessful applicants can request feedback regarding the decision and their initiative from Alberta Ecotrust staff.

Want to talk it through?

Book a 30-minute call with our team and get specialized assistance. Book a call with our Program Specialists Carolina or Diana.

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