1. Environmental Priorities
2. Eligible Organizations
3. Eligible Projects
4. Eligible Costs
5. Matching Funds
6. Collaboration
7. Grant Criteria
8. Application Checklist
9. Evaluation Planning
10. Outcomes
    
    

Environmental Priorities

Our new priorities for environmental grants will be directed to projects that work toward the following long-term outcomes:

• Protection of the atmosphere, including clean air, and the mitigation of climate change (more...)

• Protection and restoration of wilderness, natural areas and wildlife habitat (more...)

• Protection and conservation of water and/or the maintenance of water quality (more...)

Eligible Organizations Top

Any organization registered as a non-profit society or non-profit corporation in Alberta or registered as a charity and operating in Alberta is eligible to apply for a grant. This includes:

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

Not eligible:  

• Private sector organizations

• Educational institutions

• Municipal, provincial/territorial and federal governments

• Businesses

• Individuals

• Political parties

Eligible Projects

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

However, Alberta Ecotrust 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.   

Eligible Costs Top

Grant funds can be used for any costs deemed reasonable and directly related to the project. This includes:

• Portion of salaries for project management and administration

• Contractor wages

• Travel and accommodations

Existing programs that address the three environmental priorities of protecting air, land and water

• Publications

• Website development

• Supplies and materials

• Portion of rent, telephone, etc.

• Project-specific training  
  

Matching Funds Top

Alberta Ecotrust grants will support up to 75% of the total project costs. The remaining 25% must be matched through:

• Cash contributions from the applicant

• Other grants and donations

• In-kind services

• Volunteer contributions

Note: We are flexible regarding the value attributed to work done by volunteers. We recognize that volunteers on environmental projects often have a range of specialized skills and /or training, academic credentials, and professional expertise. For example, a volunteer that moves soil or plants shrubs may be contributing labour valued at $17 per hour while a lawyer may be contributing pro bono legal advice valued at $150 per hour.  

Collaboration Top

Alberta Ecotrust is founded on the premise of partnership and collaboration. These principles are very important to our mandate and can influence our grantmaking decisions. We hope to see more projects that build on the work and achievements of other projects, rather than duplicate them.

We will look for and will be open to the following types of collaboration:

• Willingness to cooperate and consult with other agencies in ways that improve your chances of better results, including the sharing of: data or sources, personal networks, and past experiences if it seems reasonable to do so.

• Multi-stakeholder engagement and /or support including non-traditional partners

• Community consultations where relevant, meaningful and cost effective

• Joint applications from two or more organizations working cooperatively on a broad issue  
  

Grant Criteria Top

The focus of the new grant program is on results not process. Thus all applicants should consider how their strategies and action items address the long-term outcomes of protection of air, land and water. The foundation will assess all grant proposals against the S.M.A.R.T. criteria: strategic, measurable, achievable, reasonable and timely.

Strategic:  

• Outcomes align with protection of air, land and water
• Project clearly defines a specific environmental situation and a solution
• Project's goals and objectives support organization’s vision and mission  
• Project has support from organization's leadership and from partners in the project
• Project shows evidence of broad stakeholder involvement
• Project clearly demonstrates that outcomes serve the public interest
• Future opportunities and activities related to the outcomes of this project have been identified or discussed 

Measurable:

• Project goals and objectives are clearly defined and can be assessed upon completion
• Indicators of success have been identified
• Evaluation strategy is in place considering both short and long term results

Achievable:

• Project will be completed within allotted time and include start and end dates
• Organization has the capacity to successfully complete the project
• Organization has a contingency plan which considers such events as staff or volunteer changes

Reasonable:

• Project time line and work plan are realistic
• Strategies are appropriate to the achievement of goals
• Budget is clear, accurate and realistic

Timely:

• This project makes sense given a number of parameters that include: current expertise, knowledge and organizational readiness; and other resources, environmental significance, political climate, ability to influence the target audience, etc.
• Project builds on previous work of the organization or others and/or clearly identifies new opportunities, rationale and resources important to the success of the project  
  

Application Checklist  Top

• Your project addresses one of the three key long-term environmental priorities identified by Alberta Ecotrust Foundation

• Your organization is eligible to apply

• You have ensured that you are not duplicating the efforts of other groups and have networked with those that are doing similar work to explore opportunities to collaborate

• You have identified which grant stream is the most appropriate to achieve your goals

• Your proposal meets most of the S.M.A.R.T. criteria

• You have contacted the Grant Coordinator to discuss your project

• You have selected a short, simple and descriptive title for the project that makes sense to others

• Your purpose is clear and the proposal is free of jargon, abbreviations, etc.

• You have ensured that all calculations in your budget are accurate and clearly identified all current and potential funding sources and expenses  
  

Evaluation Planning Top

Evaluation is the tool you use to measure the achievement of your goals and objectives.  Not only does it help to demonstrate how the environment has benefited from your activities, but it also helps your own organization in assessing how well you have conducted the project.  

The Global Environmental Outdoor Education Council (GEOEC) has developed a new resource to help evaluate the success of environmental education programs.

Click here to access this on-line document that describes educational evaluation methodologies and tools.

Outcomes  Top

Protection and conservation of water and/or the maintenance of water quality

Currently in Alberta, issues related to water are emerging as a significant environmental priority. Critical to all aspects of life and economic interests in Alberta, it is increasingly apparent that we must manage our water resources wisely.

Alberta Ecotrust will favor projects that utilize a variety of strategies to mitigate negative impacts on water quality and quantity ranging from local stream cleanups to a watershed approach to planning. Projects and policy initiatives that address issues related to wetlands, riparian and in stream health, land use activities that impact surface and/or groundwater, health risks, urban runoff and conservation strategies are all areas requiring additional activity in Alberta. 

Projects addressing the protection of water sources could include:

• Installation of a xeriscaped urban garden, which demonstrates the use of water tolerant, native species in landscaping
• A public education campaign urging people to change behaviors in their home to limit their use of water
• Initiatives aimed at helping homeowners understand the stormwater system in their town or city and how their activities influence water quality
• Aquatic ecosystem educational programs for youth whereby students conduct water quality testing and learn about their impact on the local system
• A basin-wide initiative that engages multiple stakeholders in promoting best practices in watershed management

Protection of wilderness, natural areas and wildlife habitat

Alberta Ecotrust will favour initiatives that identify and protect remaining natural areas (or critical areas capable of being restored to more natural conditions), improve the management of critical wildlife habitats, provide ecological connections among "core" wildlife areas, and demonstrate compatibility of human activities with wildlife conservation in areas where those activities already occur, including sustainable urban and suburban planning.

Projects addressing protection of critical lands could include:

• Scientific analysis of wildlife – road interaction in key wildlife corridors
• Engagement of landowners in understanding and implementing land management practices beneficial for wildlife
• The development of tools to facilitate effective public engagement in land use discussions
• Public education programs on the benefit of wildlife corridors and intact wilderness areas for maintaining biodiversity

 

Protection of the atmosphere, including clean air, and responsibly addressing climate change

Alberta Ecotrust will favour those projects and policy initiatives that address clean air, which often have a co-benefit of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.  For example, introducing a city-wide initiative to promote walking, biking and busing rather than driving helps to reduce particulate matter, nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds (smog precursors) and will also reduce greenhouse gases. 

Other examples of project addressing the protection of the atmosphere include: 

• Demonstration projects that illustrate the use of renewable energy
• Public education programs regarding energy efficiency and conservation "walking school bus" initiative whereby parents take turns walking children to school
• Local initiatives encouraging car pooling and other alternative means of commuting such as the Commuter Challenge
• Public engagement in urban land use planning initiatives such as Smart Growth. 
  

Previous Projects  Top

From Banff to Brooks; from Lac La Biche to Lethbridge; and from the southern grasslands to the Rocky Mountains and boreal forest, Alberta Ecotrust Foundation continues to fund community environmental projects.

Our grants have supported a broad range of activities and action including community water quality testing programs, anti-idling campaigns, community gardens, and the use of satellite technology to identify intact tracts of boreal forest. Proud of our ability to support the voluntary sector for the last twelve years, we have contributed millions of dollars to over 300 projects across the province. We continue to strive for environmental excellence in our own work and through the work of others.

For more information on previous projects visit our Projects page.