Festivals and Events Micro Grant Program

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Local festivals and events are important strategic investments in Edmonton. They provide opportunities for citizens and visitors to connect, be active in the community, celebrate our heritage and diversity, and contribute to the local economy.

This grant program has been created to support smaller, outdoor community (niche) festivals and events that showcase local talent, celebrate local histories and cultures, and add vibrancy to our city throughout the year.

Application Intake Closed

The City is no longer accepting applications for this grant program.

Applications received prior to March 15, 2024 at 11:59pm will be reviewed, and decisions will be provided to applicants within 8 weeks or less.

Grant Funding Allocation

The Festivals and Events Micro Grant funding allocations will vary based on the size, scope and scale of each event as well as alignment with the grant program objectives and priorities. Grant Awards will range between $500 to $10,000.

Events are eligible for up to 50% of the total cost to host the event. However due to the anticipated demand for funding, organizations are encouraged to manage expectations as in the past available funding only allowed for 10-20% of total costs to be covered.

To improve your chances of success, please ensure that you complete all sections of the form and add sufficient detail about how you intend to use the funds. Funding decisions made by the City are final and cannot be appealed.

The City reserves the right to audit applications and projects that receive funding. You may need to provide additional information to verify the funding was used for the intended purpose outlined in your application.

Grant Priorities

Niche festivals and events that meet the eligibility criteria are welcome to apply. However, the Festivals and Events Micro Grant Program prioritizes the following events:

Cultural/multicultural events
Indigenous-led or Indigenous serving events
Events run or supported by a Business Improvement Area

Applications must be aligned with the City Plan.

Award Criteria

Grant funding awards will be based on the following criteria:

Priority areas: cultural/multicultural, Indigenous, Business Improvement Area
Event size, scope, and scale (including expected attendance and location capacity)
Benefit to the public: cultural, recreational, charitable significance and/or supports engagement and representation of communities who have historically been marginalized and underrepresented
Public access: free versus charged/cost to participate
Not-for-profit or charitable or business improvement area
Financial need: those organizations with sufficient funds to host the event without municipal support and other City funding sources
Alignment to the City Plan

Grant Eligibility

Eligible events must:

Take place within the city of Edmonton boundaries
Take place between January 1 and December 31. Organizations are welcome to apply retroactively as long as the event(s) occurred in the same calendar year as the application intake
Be an outdoor public event primarily located in the public realm (that is, located on city parkland, public open space or road right-of-ways). Consideration may be given to events hosted on private land, if the event is fully open to the public
Be held in-person with a minimum attendance of 100 people or more
Be open to the public, not an event for members-only
Events may be free to attend, have a participation fee or require a donation to attend and/or be a ticketed event
Produced by an organization, not an individual, that:
- Is a registered not-for-profit, charitable organization or business improvement area
- Is in good standing with an annual return stamped by Corporate Registries
- Is not in arrears with the City of Edmonton
- Undertakes their work primarily in Edmonton, or has a history of significant activity in Edmonton when they also work elsewhere

Demonstrate initiative and success in generating diverse sources of funding
Be insured with a minimum of $2 million in general liability coverage with the City of Edmonton listed as an “Additional Insured”
Held in compliance with permitting or licensing requirements as required (such as Edmonton Fire, and Development Services) and public health requirements, restrictions and guidance imposed by the City of Edmonton, Alberta Health Services or the Government of Alberta

Note: organizations may submit an application for more than 1 event per year. Organizations are eligible for a maximum grant award of $10,000 per year regardless of whether the funding supports one or multiple festivals or events.

The program will be assessed at the end of each year to confirm and/or modify eligibility and criteria.

Grant funding awards will be considered for eligible events only.

Eligible Events and Expenses

Eligible types of outdoor events include but are not limited to:

Cultural/multicultural festivals, events or recognition activities
Indigenous festival, events or recognition activities
Concerts, performances and music festivals
Food, art and historical celebrations
Parades

Eligible Expenses

Event Insurance
Honorariums and wages for workers and artists who are not already employed as staff (event contract staff, artists, performers, and so on)
Volunteer support. Examples include: event uniforms, food, equipment and training
Production and technical costs related to programming, such as staffing, performers, artists, volunteers
Temporary or enhanced infrastructure and/or equipment, such as tents, stages, perimeter fencing, toilets
City expenses such as road closures, transit detours, Police personnel, permitting fees, parkland use fees, and other City expenses
Safety and Security costs. Examples include: contract security and first aid supplies
Development and execution of health and safety, accessibility and sustainability plans
Marketing, advertising and communications
Other production costs

Ineligible Events and Expenses

Ineligible types of events or organizations include, but are not limited to:

Indoor events
Virtual events
Block parties or play streets
Community League events: events produced in partnership with 3 or more Community Leagues may be considered for a grant. Community Leagues are welcome to apply for the Neighbourhood Services Micro Grants
Organized runs, walks, active living events and opportunities to try or learn a new sport or activities. These events are welcome to apply for the for the Community Services Live Active Grant
Sport Tournaments where membership is required to participate, including regular outdoor sport league play. Note: cultural events that include sport and active living components may be considered.
Film productions
Political campaigning
Charter Rights activities such as protests, rallies, demonstrations, processions, marches and vigils
Private events. Examples include, but are not limited to: weddings, graduations, showers, celebrations of life, potlucks, awards ceremonies and roasts
Stand alone markets: vending elements are eligible within a larger events
Commercial, promotional or marketing activities, such as product demonstrations, merchandise sales, launches
Primarily religious services and/or activities delivered by faith organizations
Professional or semi professional spectator and/or sporting events
Mega, Major and Signature Attracted events that receive funding from Explore Edmonton and/or the City of Edmonton Partnerships and Event Attraction section
Signature or Foundational level events as defined and classified by the City of Edmonton, in keeping with the Festivals and Events Delivery Action Plan
Performances, exhibitions or activities that promote or incite racism, hatred or violence
Events run by for-profit organizations
Events where the primary purpose is to raise funds for specific individuals, charities or groups
Events that host more than 10% of the event program and/or activities indoors. Note: winter events may include indoor space for people to warm up
Events that require membership to observe or participate and are not open to the public
Events run by government: City agencies, boards or commissions, educational and post secondary institutions (including student organizations) or political parties

Ineligible Expenses

Capital expenses such as construction, renovations or repairs or purchase of major equipment such as computers, video recorders or power tools
Volunteer honorariums or gifts
The purchase of alcohol or cannabis or related expenses
Allowances or personal expenses for program registrants and participants
Organization’s base operational costs including
- Salaries and expenses of existing staff
- Office and administration fees, utilities, rent and/or rental of an applicant organization facility

Application Process

Before You Start Your Application:

Review the eligibility criteria and grant information on this webpage or the Program Guide
Understand the event goals, public benefit, and alignment with the City Plan
Review the copy of the Application Form questions . Applications cannot be edited once submitted. Any changes need to be sent to eventsmicrogrant@edmonton.ca prior to the application deadline

Required Documents

Send these documents directly to eventsmicrogrant@edmonton.ca. Please include your organization name and event name in the email.

Declaration Form : signed and dated (include all 4 pages)
Budget Overview: breakdown of the event expenses and revenue:
- PDF Version
- Excel Version

What Happens After Submission?

Each applicant will receive a copy of their grant application submission
All applications will be evaluated by City staff for completeness, alignment with the program objective and core criteria, and to ensure that the application meets eligibility requirements
Applications will be assessed based solely on the contents and information submitted in the application
Grant decisions will be provided within 8 weeks of the grant deadline provided we receive a complete application
Successful applicants will receive the funds by electronic transfer (EFT) or a cheque, which will be mailed to the address that you provide, within 8 weeks after you’ve been notified of the grant decision

Note: Funding decisions made by the City are final and cannot be appealed.

Reporting Requirements

Successful applicants will provide a final report within 90 days of the completion of the festival or event, and must include a summary of the event outcomes and detail how City funds were used. Pictures of the event are strongly encouraged.

Receipt of these reports is a precondition for future eligibility in any City of Edmonton grant program. Final Reports for the Festivals and Events Micro Grant may be considered part of assessment of any future applications by the organization to the same grant program.

Wherever possible, recipients are requested to acknowledge funding received from the City of Edmonton Festivals and Events Micro Grant program in related advertising or promotional materials. The City of Edmonton will provide logos as required.

Reporting Templates:

2023 Grant Recipients

Frequently Asked Questions

I’m producing more than one festival/event this year. Should I submit an application for each event?

Yes - if each event has a different program content, purpose, dates, and/or location an application (with required documentation) must be submitted for each event.

However, if the event will be hosted in a “series format”, meaning a similar program, on multiple dates and/or in multiple locations, only one application is required for the series of events.

Note: organizations are eligible for a maximum grant award of $10,000 per year regardless of whether the funding supports one festival/event or multiple festivals/events.

Can I apply if I have never organized a public event?

Yes. This funding is available to new event opportunities as well as to those event producers who have organized public events previously.

Can I use grant funding towards eligible expenses incurred prior to approval of my grant application?

Yes. Please identify the expenses that you intend to use the funding towards in your application, and in the Event Budget document.

I have applied for other City of Edmonton funding. Can I also apply for the Festivals and Events Micro Grant?

This grant program cannot be combined with the Neighbourhood Services Funding Program or the Community Services Live Active Grant. Events that receive a grant award from those grant programs in the same calendar year are ineligible for the Festivals and Events Micro Grant.

However, if your organization has received other City of Edmonton funding, you may apply for this grant. Please note that grant funding assessment is based on established criteria including receipt of funding from other City of Edmonton sources. Available funding and financial need will be considered when determining grant awards.

What are the common reasons for unsuccessful applications?

The most common reasons for unsuccessful applications are:

Ineligible event and/or budget: the event and/or event budget does not meet the eligibility requirements. Examples include: the event is primarily hosted indoors, fundraising is the primary purpose of the event, anticipated attendance below 100 people, and for-profit organizations.
Incomplete documents: Event Budget and Declaration forms not completed and/or not submitted.
Incomplete applications: the application lacks sufficient event details regarding the event dates, times, locations, demographic served, purpose, programs, activities, how funding will be used, and so on). Please be as specific as possible when answering the application questions.
Event does not meet program priorities and/or objectives: the event does not sufficiently align with the grant program objectives.

If my application is unsuccessful, can I reapply?

Unsuccessful applicants can reapply the following year. Please ensure you fully understand why the application was unsuccessful. If you have questions or would like feedback on your application in order to prepare for a future submission, please contact eventsmicrogrant@edmonton.ca.

Note: The City’s decision is final, however you can reapply if a second intake is advertised.

How does the City of Edmonton define niche events, cultural events, multicultural events and Indigenous-led/Indigenous serving events?

Niche Festivals and Events – these are specialized and emerging one-time or recurring festivals, events and parades that hold a local, community or neighbourhood profile, encourage community participation, and align with civic priorities. Primarily held on a single day, these events are typically smaller, homegrown, and run by Edmonton-based non-profits associations, volunteer groups, community leagues, and so on. This classification includes local and provincial level sporting events.

Cultural Event – cultural festival programming includes performing arts, visual arts, literary arts, interdisciplinary arts, craft, design and expressions of cultural identity.

Multicultural Event – an event that supports the practice of promoting human and group relations, in which ethnic, racial, religious and linguistic similarities and differences are valued, respected and exchanged.

Indigenous-led/Indigenous Serving Event – these are national, regional or local Indigenous and Indigenous-serving not-for-profit or charitable organizations that operate within Edmonton or serve Indigenous people in Edmonton.