Why are we an environmental grantmaker?

Albertans give only 0.4 percent of their charitable donations to organizations working on environmental issues.

The voluntary sector in Alberta plays an important role in protecting our environment. Nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations implement projects that improve or maintain environmental health and they participate in government processes that guide and shape environmental policy. They also help to ensure that governments and other stakeholders are accountable for the decisions they make and the activities they undertake, which makes for a healthier and more robust democratic system overall.

Unfortunately, nongovernmental organizations working on environmental issues (ENGOs) are drastically underfunded. Albertans give only 0.4 percent of their charitable donations to organizations working on environmental issues. That means for every dollar Albertans donate to charity, less than half-a-penny goes toward those community groups working tirelessly to keep our land, air and water healthy.

Alberta Ecotrust is a critical source of funding

Since 1992, Alberta Ecotrust has invested more than $5 million in projects that have improved the health of Alberta's environment. Our annual investment has increased from $126,000 in 1992 to a current average of $400,000.

Alberta Ecotrust is a critical source of funding for ENGOs working on environmental projects in Alberta. Our grant programs provide much-needed funding for nonprofit organizations trying to improve or maintain the health of Alberta's water, wilderness and wildlife, and air and climate.

We provide more than just funding

We coach applicants and grantees to develop their projects, make community connections, and/or find other funding and programming partners. We invest both our time and our funding in the community.

"When the Friends of Jasper first got started with major projects, it was the expertise and helpfulness of your organization that put us on the right track.  Your grant applications were the most thorough and thought provoking.  Simply put, they provided us with the best framework for creating our project description/budget/timeline.  Overall, the help you have provided in developing our project management skills has been invaluable.  We've come a long way and are proud to be recognized as leaders in collaborative-based, volunteer-oriented stewardship projects."
Sue Cesco, Friends of Jasper

Our investments span the province and encompass many issues

We have supported a variety of projects and programs throughout Alberta.  From Peace River to the Oldman River and the prairies to the mountains, our investments have helped small grassroots organizations and larger environmental groups protect Alberta's environment.

Please take a look at our current grantees, our grant archive, our featured project, and a few of the resources we've helped support in our library.