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Grants & Funding

The City of Medicine Hat offers the following grant opportunities:

  1. The Community Vibrancy Grant;
  2. Community Microgrants;
  3. Family and Community Support Services Grants;
  4. and the Capital Grant.

Community Vibrancy Grant

The application window has closed.

The City is no longer accepting applications.

The City of Medicine Hat values community activities and projects because they bolster community spirit, emphasize opportunities that contribute to quality of life and enhance a sense of belonging to a community that is welcoming, safe, resilient, and full of opportunity.

The Community Vibrancy Grant has two streams:

Community Projects and Activities
There will be two intakes for Community Projects and Activities in 2025:

  1. Applications will be accepted January 1, 2025 to January 31, 2025 (3 p.m.) - $86,000 allocated
  2. Applications will also be accepted in the summer of 2025 for 2026 projects/activities- $56,000 allocated

Annual Festivals and Special Events (larger scale)
There will be one intake for Annual Festivals and Special Events:

  • Applications will be accepted in the summer of 2025 for 2026/27 festivals/special events - $83,000 allocated
    • two-year funding is available for this stream
    • due to some festivals/events receiving multi-year funding, the total funds available may differ from year to year

Please read the guidelines to ensure that your project fits within the criteria. If after reading the guidelines you are still uncertain if your project is eligible, please contact the Community Vibrancy Grant Administrator at 403-529-8316.

Important information

This stream will provide funding for projects that support one or more of the following:

  • promote vibrancy, energy and enthusiasm in the community of Medicine Hat
  • emphasize the community and celebrate living in Medicine Hat
  • promote recreation, leisure, social, arts, cultural or opportunities vital to the well-being and quality of life in Medicine Hat
  • promote a sense of belonging in the community
  • create increased knowledge of community
  • deepen awareness of opportunities and challenges, and the factors that impact change
  • increase appreciation for the community
  • generate interest for residents to get more actively involved in their community

This stream will provide funding for projects that are larger in scale (i.e.: expect to have an audience of more than 500 residents) and support one or more of the following:

  • promote vibrancy, energy and enthusiasm in the community of Medicine Hat
  • emphasize the community and celebrate living in Medicine Hat
  • promote arts, cultural or community gathering experiences vital to the well-being and quality of life in Medicine Hat
  • increase appreciation for the community
  • generate interest for residents to get more actively involved in their community

The deadline for applications is Friday, January 31, 2025, by 3 p.m. Late applications will not be considered. Only application forms completed in full will be accepted. 

Minimum and maximum amounts have not been established for individual grants. 

All applicants must submit a completed Community Vibrancy Grant application. Procedures include the following:

  • access and complete the application form available at medicinehat.ca/grants
  • ensure that you complete the entire application form and attach all relevant documents as noted
  • if applicable, ensure that applications have been signed by two people, the person completing the application on behalf of the organization and the Board President or Chair
  • ensure that you save a copy of your completed application form and a copy of these guidelines for your records

Please note, no handwritten applications or reports will be accepted.

Please read the following section carefully. Applications for a Community Vibrancy Grant must meet the following eligibility criteria: 

Projects must:

  • reflect the spirit of City Council’s Strategic Plan 2023-2026
  • take place within the City of Medicine Hat limits/boundaries
  • support one or more of the objectives outlined above.

 Applications must:

  • identify the initiative’s anticipated deliverables and outcomes
  • be made by individuals, organizations or groups of individuals and organizations, who live in or around Medicine Hat
  • provide a budget statement of projected expenses and revenue, including any projected shortfall of funds
  • describe any community partnerships and/or funds secured from other organizations/individuals
  • be not-for-profit in nature

Applications must not

  • involve the recruitment of permanent staff
  • involve major capital expenditures ($500 maximum)
  • involve activities for the purposes of fundraising for other causes

  • use the funds for the purpose for which they were requested
  • be responsible for the planning and execution of the proposed project
  • if the project cannot be completed as described in the application, the City must be notified as soon as possible to discuss return of funds
  • maintain separate accounting for the proposed project
  • acknowledge the support of the City of Medicine Hat in the promotion of the approved project
  • keep the receipts for all expenses paid for with the grant for seven (7) years as the City of Medicine Hat may ask to see those receipts as evidence of purchase
    • If the City of Medicine Hat asks for those receipts, they are to be provided within 30 days
    • If the grant recipient does not produce the receipts, they may be required to repay the grant dollars to the City of Medicine Hat
  • submit a final report evaluation, and a financial statement to the City of Medicine Hat within 60 days of the event/project completion for each year of your grant 
    • the final report documents to be completed are available at www.medicinehat.ca/grants 
    • ensure the final financial summary shows the actual revenue and expenses

Completed support materials can be submitted by emailing cdvgrants@medicinehat.ca

For more information, contact:

Community Vibrancy Grant Administrator
Community Development, City of Medicine Hat
Phone: 403-529-8316
Email: cdvgrants@medicinehat.ca

Community Vibrancy Grant Recipients

Community Projects/Activities

  • Medicine Hat FireFit Team, FireFit Championships Regional Event, $9,500
  • Wander YXH, 6 Short Documentaries, $6,000
  • Medicine Hat Adaptive Sport and Recreation, Larry Godin Classic, $3,000
  • The Cycle Guild of Medicine Hat, Bike Parks Distribution, $3,500
  • Medicine Hat Vintage Trailer Rally, Trailer Show, $3,000

Festivals/Events

  • Medicine Hat Folk Music Club, Tongue on the Post Festival, $13,500
  • Medicine Hat Jazz Society, Jazzfest Festival, $16,000
  • Medicine Hat Skateboarding Association, July 1 Beat the Heat Festival, $19,000
  • Rotary Club of Medicine Hat, Music Festival Society, Music Festival, $500
  • Willy Taillon, Hot Air Balloon Festival, $17,000
  • Spectrum Festival Foundation, Spectrum, $14,500
  • The Kiwanis Club of Medicine Hat, Family Day Activities, $1,500
  • Alternative Waves Musical Festival, Alternative Waves, $3,000

Community Projects/Activities

  • Ellen Heise, Roots and Resilience, $4,000
  • Family Fun & Flight, Family Fun & Flight Airport Open House, $10,000
  • Firekeepers Women's Society, Metis Week, $5,000
  • Hat Horizons Radio Operators Club, HAM Training, $500
  • Kiwanis Club of Medicine Hat, Family Day, $1,500
  • Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce, Midnight Madness, $5,989
  • Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce, Chili Cook Off, $3,000
  • Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education, Move for Mental Health Walk, $1,000
  • Medicine Hat Concert Band, Choral Concert, $1,000
  • Medicine Hat Drug Coalition, International Overdose Awareness, $4,000
  • Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede, Canada Day Festival, $30,000
  • Medicine Hat Public School Division, Keskikeymowin Celebration, $5,000
  • Medicine Hat Vintage Trailer Rally, $2,000
  • REDI Enterprises, TAG - Movie Night, $3,211
  • Roadworn Productions & Management, Porchfest Medicine Hat, $7,000
  • SafeLink Alberta, Harm Reduction Day, $800
  • South Eastern Alberta Archaeology Society, SEAAS 40th Anniversary, $6,000
  • Spectrum Festival Foundation, Spectrum Festival, $18,500
  • Strathcona Arts Studio, Art in the Park, $500

Annual Festivals and Special Events

  • Medicine Hat Folk Music Club, Tongue on the Post Festival, $13,500
  • Medicine Hat Jazz Society, Jazzfest Festival, $16,000
  • Medicine Hat Skateboarding Association, July 1 Beat the Heat Festival, $19,000
  • Rotary Club of Medicine Hat Music Festival Society, Music Festival, $500
  • Willy Taillon, Hot Air Balloon Festival, $17,000

Community Microgrant

To foster connections in the community through neighbourhood or community gatherings and activities.

The City is now accepting applications for the Community Microgrants program!

Community Microgrants are available up to $500 in the following funding categories:

The microgrants are intended to foster connections in the community through gatherings and activities, with a variety of focuses. It is our hope that through the establishment of this grant stream, that residents and neighborhoods organize activities and events that help people feel a strong sense of community and connection with the people in their community and/or neighborhood.

Grant intake is ongoing and applicants are encouraged to apply for funding at any time throughout the year. Grants received will be given notice of their application status within 30 days of submission. Grant intake will close for the year when the total funding is allocated.

Paper copies of the grant application forms can be picked up at the Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre reception desk Tuesday to Saturday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Important information

Total microgrant dollars available each year is $10,000 for EACH of the two funding categories.

Please read the following section carefully. Applications for a Community Microgrants must meet the following eligibility criteria: 

Eligible events for the Community Arts and Culture microgrant are:

  • barrier free to all such music performances, theatre acts, and art shows.
  • projects, events, and experiences that are co-created with others, such as community art projects. community band concerts, or heritage tours. 
  • projects, events, and experiences that honour Indigenous culture. 
  • projects that create and promote beautiful and clean spaces and inspire pride.
  • projects and experiences that advance artists in the community such as multicultural music festivals or cultural dance performance.
  • projects that animate the community, such as street parties, outdoor movie nights, or murals.

Eligible events for the Neighbourhood Connections microgrant are:

  • Events that foster respect and celebrate diversity, such as a neighbourhood multicultural fashion show or dinner, storytelling projects that involve aging adults and youth, etc.
  • Events that build relationships and opportunities for neighbours to connect, such as build a free library, host a movie night in a local park or backyard, host a 'meet the neighbours' event, etc.
  • Events that offer the sharing of residents' skills and knowledge, such as host a free yoga session, host a community kitchen in your neighbourhood, host a bird house building challenge, host a 'bake-off challenge' for all youth in your neighbourhood, etc.
  • Events that foster neighbourhood and/or community pride, such as historical neighbourhood tours, community clean-up activities, neighbourhood beautification projects, host a free neighbourhood garage sale, etc.

As per page 8 on the guidelines and criteria page, we encourage grant recipients to use the phrase "funded in part by a City of Medicine Hat Microgrant" and the Microgrant logo as part of their marketing efforts. 

Family and Community Support Services Grants

The 2025 application window has closed, and the City is no longer accepting applications.

Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) is a unique 80/20 funding partnership between the Government of Alberta and participating municipalities or Métis Settlements. The combined funding is used to support preventive social initiatives, projects, and services that enhance the social well-being of individuals, families, and/or the community.

To support preventive social initiatives, projects, and services that enhance the social well-being of individuals, families, and the community. 

Organizations currently receiving funding from FCSS are eligible to apply; $407,000 is available for both 2026 and 2027.

Medicine Hat Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) awarded $1,902,792 in funding from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2025 to support external projects/programs within the community. 

Important information

An FCSS municipality must ensure that local initiatives, processes, or services meet all the requirements set out in the FCSS Act. In particular, the Act requires that FCSS supports social initiatives that are preventive and that they enhance the social well-being of individuals and families through promotion or intervention strategies provided at the earliest opportunity.

Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) is a unique 80/20 

For more information, contact:

FCSS Grant Administrator
Community Development, City of Medicine Hat
Phone: 403-529-8316
Email: cdvgrants@medicinehat.ca

Funded projects

Medicine Hat Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) awarded $813,920 in funding from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2026 to support external projects/programs within the community. 

  • Community Food Connections Association of Southeastern Alberta, Food Security Coordinator and Garden Program Coordinator, $96,720
  • LEARN Community Adult Learning Council, Imagination Alive! project, $30,000
  • Medicine Hat Family Service, mental health care and therapy, individual and group family counselling, and family life education services, $382,500
  • Medicine Hat Public Library Board, the Social Work Program position, $84,000
  • Medicine Hat Public School Division, Cultural Liaison Worker, $150,700
  • Medicine Hat Women's Shelter Society, prevention of inter-generational family violence education, $70,000

Medicine Hat Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) awarded $1,902,792 in funding from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2025 to support external projects/programs within the community. 

  • Unison (at Veiner Centre), Senior Centre Programming and Supports, $1,066,792
  • Medicine Hat Family Service, Short term Counseling and Family Life Education, $361,800
  • Medicine Hat Public School Division, Cultural Liaison Worker program, $75,000
  • Sanare Centre, Preventative sexual and domestic violence community based program, $50,000
  • Community Food Connections Association of SE Alberta, Food Security Coordinator, $96,000
  • LEARN Community Adult Learning Council, Imagination Alive! project, $30,000
  • Junior Achievement Southern Alberta, Financial Literacy, Entrepreneurship, Work Readiness Programs in Medicine Hat Youth, $10,000
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of Medicine Hat and District, 'Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds' group mentoring program, $47,200
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of Medicine Hat and District, Teen Mentorship Program, $34,000
  • Our Collective Journey, Adolescence Resilience Coach Program, $80,000
  • Medicine Hat Women's Shelter Society, Children’s Support Group program, $30,000
  • Various Community Members, Neighbourhood Connections Microgrants, $22,000

Capital Grant Application

A standardized way for non-profit organizations to submit funding requests for capital projects.

The Capital Grant application provides non-profit organizations with a straightforward and standardized way to submit funding requests for capital projects. It is a transparent and consistent framework for City staff and Council to evaluate funding requests from non-profit organizations for capital projects. 

Important information

Organizations applying through this process must:

  • Be a registered Non-Profit Organization or Society in good standing.
  • Have resided, operated within, and/or served the residents of the City of Medicine Hat for at least one year.
  • Have an open membership for its organization and provide opportunities that are accessible to all.
  • Have a primary municipal mandate to provide sports, recreation, arts, cultural, family, economic development, environmental, tourism, and/or community services.
  • Not be in unresolved litigation with the City.
  • Be in good financial standing.
  • The applicant must not be in arrears to the City unless a repayment plan has been approved and is being followed.

Project funding requests will be evaluated based on:

  • Community need
  • Community benefit
  • Strategic alignment
  • Risk management
  • Fiscal and organizational sustainability

For full details, view the application guidelines

Priority will be given to projects that align most closely with the evaluation criteria. Applicants should address these criteria in their applications, keeping in mind that the criteria are not weighted equally.

For more information, contact:

Capital Grant Administrator
City of Medicine Hat
Phone: 403-525-8613
Email: CMHgrants@medicinehat.ca

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