Cochrane community grants

Cochrane's Community Grant Program helps local non-profit and volunteer groups deliver programs, events and projects that benefit residents. The Town does not usually run these programs itself. Instead, we partner with community organizations and provide funding so they can do what they do best.

Before you apply:

Review the Community Investment Grant Program Policy (PDF)

Review the Grant Application Checklist (PDF)

Community grants stream overview & deadlines

February grant deadlines

Applications are accepted for the following grants until February 15, 2026.

Grant type	What it supports	Key details	Examples
Essential Service Grant	Community organizations that provide essential services residents rely on — including safety, emergency help, food access, youth support, and animal care.	Annual or multi-year funding may be considered. Business or operational plan required.	Emergency response and search-and-rescue services Animal welfare and care services Food security programs
Community Enhancer Grant	Organizations that enhance quality of life through arts, heritage, tourism, sports, culture, or similar activities.	Annual or multi-year funding may be considered. Business or operational plan required.	Ongoing arts and cultural programming Heritage preservation and interpretation Community recreation or sport programming Programs that promote Cochrane as a cultural or tourism destination

March grant deadlines

Applications for the following grants are accepted until March 15, 2026.

Grant type	What it supports	Key details	Examples
Small Scale Events Matching Grant	Smaller community events (fewer than 1,000 attendees).	Event must be public, safe and well-planned.	Community association BBQs or block parties Cultural celebrations Local arts performances or festivals Family fun days, markets or community gatherings
Large Scale Festival & Events Matching Grant	Major public festivals or events (5,000+ attendees).	Event must be public, safe and focused on community celebration.	Large community festivals Major cultural celebrations Large-scale arts or music events Signature community celebrations such as a major parade or festival
Event Transit Support Add-On	Transit or shuttle services to improve accessibility and reduce parking impacts.	Must be attached to an event grant application. This grant deadline is aligned with the event application.	Shuttle buses available to and from specific events Dedicated transit routes to encourage use during events
Small Capital Projects Grant	Up to $3,000	Minor upgrades, equipment or small infrastructure improvements (e.g., signage, furnishings, storage, small facility upgrades).	New storage shelving or equipment Community facility furnishings Improved signage Small upgrades to equipment or facilities
Large Capital Projects Grant	Up to $15,000	Larger projects with long-term impact (e.g., accessibility retrofits, outdoor enhancements, major upgrades).	Accessibility upgrades to a community facility Facility renovations or retrofits Outdoor improvements to a community space Major equipment or infrastructure upgrades
Access & Participation Grant	Up to $20,000	Projects that reduce barriers and increase participation (e.g., accessibility improvements, inclusive programs, outreach initiatives).	Adding a ramp or other accessibility improvement Providing adaptive equipment for a recreation program Offering a free “learn-to” program for newcomers Translation, outreach or other initiatives that make programs more welcoming and accessible
Environmental Stewardship Grant	No fixed amount	Projects that support sustainability and improve the local environment (such as community gardens, riverbank clean-ups, tree planting, environmental education, and citizen science).	Community garden improvements Riverbank or community clean-ups Tree planting Wildlife or biodiversity monitoring Environmental education or citizen science projects

Year-round grants

The following grants accept applications year-round.

Grant type	What it supports	Key details	Examples
Community Insurance Support Grant	Up to $500 per year	Helps cover liability insurance costs.	Liability insurance for a volunteer-led community program or activity. Directors & Officers Insurance
Society Start-Up Support	Up to $500 (one-time)	Helps new groups with incorporation costs.	Incorporation and registration costs Initial governance or organizational setup
Community Training & Capacity Building Grant	Up to $500	Supports training, workshops or skills development.	First aid or safety training Board governance training Volunteer management training Workshops that build skills needed to deliver community programs
Community Visibility & Outreach Grant	Up to $500	Supports promotion, outreach and visibility efforts.	Website development or updates Posters and promotional materials Translation of community information Digital communication or outreach tools
Youth-led Community Projects Grant	Up to $300	Youth-designed projects that benefit the community.	A youth-led neighbourhood clean-up A community art or beautification project A youth-organized volunteer initiative A project that creates new opportunities for young people to connect
Youth Leadership Development Grant	Up to $300	Opportunities that build youth leadership skills.	Leadership workshops or conferences Youth mentorship opportunities Advocacy or public-speaking training Youth-led learning or leadership programs

Examples are provided for illustration only. Eligibility and funding decisions are based on the requirements and evaluation criteria for each grant category.