Cochrane Community Operational Grants

  • Introduction
  • Contact
  • Event information
  • Financial information
  • Documents
  • Acknowledgements
  • Complete

To apply for a community operational grant, applicants must:

• represent one of the following community sectors: arts, culture, heritage, recreation, social, environment and/or community spirit

• be a registered not-for-profit organization based within the Town of Cochrane

• be prepared to enter into a “Letter of Agreement” with the Town of Cochrane if the application is approved

•agree that any financial shortfalls or resulting ongoing funding requirements are not the Town’s responsibility

• agree to recognize the Town’s contribution to the event in all related public information, printed material and media coverage

• agree to provide the Town of Cochrane with a follow-up report on the event supported by the grant within 90 days following completion of the event

• agree to return to the Town of Cochrane any unused grant dollars

• have completed any required reports and/or financial statements for projects/events that have previously received Community Grant Program funding before being eligible for another Community Grant.

Operational grants must be used for a specific event expenditure and shall not be used for staffing costs, operating expenditures, work done or materials obtained before the grant was approved or for events that other bodies or levels of government have a clear, legislated responsibility for.

Funding decisions will be made and communicated within three weeks following the deadline.

New applications meeting criteria may be given priority over repeat applications.

Distribution of Community Grants will be at the discretion of Administration.

Community Operational Grants Stream

 Applications for operational grants are evaluated based on strategic alignment, financial need, past performance, and program impact. Designation as an Essential Service organization requires the Administration's formal recommendation and the Council's approval. 

All applicants under this stream must submit a business or operational plan outlining program delivery, staffing, governance, financial sustainability, and strategic goals for the funding period. 

Operational grants provide annual or multi-year funding to organizations contributing to Cochrane’s community well-being. These grants are divided into two categories: 

Essential Service Grant: Supports organizations that deliver critical services the Town would otherwise be expected to provide. Eligibility is based on the criteria outlined in the definition of an Essential Service Organization, including:

 • Alignment with municipal mandates or legislated obligations; 

• A service gap the Town would otherwise be required to fill; 

• Broad community reach and measurable outcomes. Essential Service Grants are designed to provide ongoing operational funding, contingent on: 

• Annual Council budget approval; 

• Full compliance with reporting and accountability requirements; 

• Demonstrated financial need and sustainability; and

• Continued alignment with Council's strategic priorities. 

As long as these conditions are met, organizations designated as Essential Service recipients can expect continued funding without the need to reapply annually. Administration reserves the right to periodically review Essential Service designations to ensure they remain aligned with municipal obligations and evolving community needs. 7. 

Community Enhancer Grant: Supports organizations that provide high-value services enhancing quality of life but are not considered essential or municipal proxies (e.g., arts, heritage, tourism, sports). Funding in this track is operational in nature and subject to annual review. 

Organizations applying under the Community Enhancer Track may request a multi-year agreement (up to 3 years) if they can demonstrate that: 

• The Town's contribution will be used to leverage significant matching funds from other sources (e.g., provincial or federal grants); 

• Multi-year stability will improve program outcomes or operational sustainability; and

 • The organization has a strong track record of financial accountability and community impact. 

All multi-year agreements are subject to:

 • Annual Council budget approval; 

• Annual performance reporting; and 

• Reassessment at the conclusion of the agreement term. 

After the three-year term, Community Enhancer organizations must submit a new application, and funding will be reconsidered based on current priorities, community needs, and available budget.