Alberta Ecotrust supports environmental projects undertaken by non-profit organizations (and youth age 16-29) working in Alberta.

Organizations eligible for funding

Most organizations registered as a non-profit society or non-profit corporation in Alberta or registered as a charity and operating in Alberta are eligible to apply for a grant. However, Alberta Ecotrust will give preference to supporting community- and grassroots-oriented projects and organizations. 

In general, eligible organizations include:  

• Environmental groups
• Community groups 
• Aboriginal groups and First Nations councils 
• Service clubs and associations 
• Youth and seniors' organizations

Please note that the following organizations are not eligible for grant funding from Alberta Ecotrust:

• Private sector organizations
• Educational institutions 
• Municipal, provincial/territorial and federal governments 
• Government agencies or quasi-governmental organizations
• Businesses
• Cooperatives
• Individuals (except in the case of youth age 16 to 29 who are applying to the Young Environmental Stewards Grant Program)
• Political parties
• Scoundrels

Individuals (age 16 to 29) eligible for funding

The Young Environmental Stewards (YES) Grant Program was created to help Alberta's young environmental leaders (age 16 to 29) turn their dreams for a cleaner, healthier future into reality. YES grants provide up to $5,000 to a single project undertaken by an individual or group of youth. Applicants who have already received a YES grant are not eligible to receive a second one.

Eligible projects for YES Grants will satisfy the following requirements:

1. The project activities are primarily undertaken by or coordinated by the youth proposing the project.
2. The project must be undertaken in the community the youth lives within.
3. The project's objective is to achieve a demonstrable benefit for the environment in keeping with the Summit priorities.

Please note the following activities will not be eligible for funding:

• Projects initiated or mandated by any order of government.
• Political lobbying
• Litigation
• Initiatives that slander or impugn the reputation of any individual, organization, or sector.

A maximum of $5,000 will be awarded to any single project. If three youth collaborate on a project at their school, they would only be eligible to receive a total of $5,000. In a case like this, the applicants should submit a single application as a group.

Download these complete application guidelines for more information.

Projects eligible for funding

Recognizing the diversity of expertise and experience in the voluntary sector, we expect to see a range of proposals that include a variety of strategies:

Engaging local citizens through direct hands-on involvement:

• Demonstrating or implementing sustainable practices 

• Applied research that could result in development or analysis of public policy 

• Developing and implementing environmental education programming for youth tied to school curriculum 

• Educating and increasing environmental awareness of the public in all sectors.

Proposals should focus on addressing one or more of our environmental priorities.

Please note that we will not fund the following activities:

• Projects initiated or mandated by any order of government. 

• Political lobbying 

• Litigation

Alberta Ecotrust recognizes that advocacy is an important mandate of the voluntary sector and supports activities focused on the good of the public and commons. However, we will not support or fund an initiative that targets or impugns the reputation of any individual, organization, or sector.