2SLGBTQIA+ Beyond Belonging Grant Program

The City of Edmonton is creating a 2SLGBTQIA+ Safe Spaces Action Plan.

This work is being guided by motions made by City Council on July 4, 2023 and April 3, 2024 and shaped by input from 2SLGBTQIA+ community members.

The plan responds to rising hate and discrimination, and aims to build safe, welcoming and inclusive spaces for 2SLGBTQIA+ people across Edmonton.

To support this work, $750,000 in one-time grant funding is available in 2025. Funding will help community organizations deliver programs and services that align with the Beyond Belonging: Building a 2SLGBTQIA+ Safe Spaces Action Plan – What We Heard Report.

Application Intake

Applications are being accepted for the Beyond Belonging Grant Program. The grant deadline is September 10, 2025 at 11:59pm.

Learn How to Register for our Virtual Training Sessions

Program Overview

This Guide provides information about the 2SLGBTQIA+ Beyond Belonging grant and application process. At the direction of City Council from motions made on July 4, 2023, and April 3, 2024, the City of Edmonton is creating a 2SLGBTQIA+ Safe Spaces Action Plan, intended to enhance support and services for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, address rising hate, and create safe and inclusive public spaces. Consultations with members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities have and will continue to inform the development of the Action Plan and its priorities.

In 2025, $750,000 will be invested in community grants to support community organizations in serving the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in alignment with the Beyond Belonging: Building a 2SLGBTQIA+ Safe Spaces Action Plan What We Heard Report.

View Application Grant Guide

Grant Priorities

Support organization(s) in projects that focus on one or more of the following priorities identified in the Beyond Belonging: Building a 2SLGBTQIA+ Safe Spaces Action Plan 2025 What We Heard Report:

Develop and/or improve safe and inclusive spaces, public events, and services for 2SLGBTQIA+ communities in Edmonton. Priority will be given to programs or projects that focus on serving 2SLGBTQIA+ communities with a demonstrated intersectional approach informed by the Beyond Belonging: Building a 2SLGBTQIA+ Safe Spaces Action Plan What We Heard Report.
Develop or strengthen processes and approaches to address rising hate and discrimination against 2SLGBTQIA+ people in Edmonton, including reporting, responding to, and following up on occurrences with potential restorative justice approaches.
Promote and provide public and professional education or campaigns that challenge bias and build understanding, especially for businesses, frontline and public services.

Program Outcomes

2SLGBTQIA+ Edmontonians feel safer and included in their daily and public lives
2SLGBTQIA+ Edmontonians have access to safe, affirming and effective services that meet their needs
Edmontonians, including those working in businesses, frontline and public services, are educated and prepared to effectively support, include and work towards safety for 2SLGBTQIA+ people
Processes are in place to prevent and address hate targeting 2SLGBTQIA+ communities in Edmonton while supporting survivors

Timelines

July 21, 2025
Grant Application opens

September 10, 2025
Application deadline. No late applications will be accepted.

September 11, 2025 - October 15, 2025
Application review

November 2025
Applicants will be notified of funding decisions

Note: These timelines are subject to change

Applicants approved for funding will be required to sign a funding agreement with the City of Edmonton before funding will be provided. Applicants who are currently receiving other funding from the City of Edmonton must be in good standing, with all final reports submitted, and reporting requirements fulfilled; otherwise, their application will not be considered.

Organizational Eligibility

To be eligible for the Grant, the applicant must be one of the following:

Non-profit organization registered for at least one year and in good standing with the incorporating body (Alberta Society, Non-profit Private Company, Non-Profit Public Company, Extra-Provincial Non-profit Company)
Local grassroots groups with a fiscal agent that meets the above criteria. If the applicant is awarded funding through this grant program, the fiscal agent must agree to act on the applicant’s behalf to sign a funding agreement with the City and to receive, administer and report on the grant.

Organizations or fiscal agents must be based in Edmonton and serve Edmontonians, with at least 75% of participants residing in Edmonton.

Applicants currently receiving other City of Edmonton funding must be in good standing and have no outstanding or overdue final reports.

Ineligible Organizations

Ineligible Organizations include:

Municipal departments or other governmental organizations
For-profit organizations/enterprises
Organizations that have overdue or incomplete accounting/reporting relating to any grant previously awarded by the City of Edmonton

Eligible Projects, Programs and Events

To be considered for funding, successful applications must demonstrate the following:

Projects/programs that address one or more of the Grant Priorities

Collaborative projects/programs/events will be prioritized.

Eligible/Ineligible Expenses

Eligible Expenses

Eligible expenses must directly support the project. These may include, but are not limited to:

Staffing costs specific to the project or initiative
Honorariums and protocol
Program/project material and supplies
Printing and communications
Training expenses
Travel expenses, within Edmonton
Evaluation expenses
Short-term rental of space for projects/program considered
Food associated with program delivery, up to 25% of proposed budget. Exceptions may be considered.
Administrative costs and fees up to 15% of the total project costs (for example: legal fees, accounting/booking fees, bank/financing related charges, ongoing operational expenses such as rent/lease payments and facility maintenance, insurance, fiscal agents, and so on.)

Ineligible Expenses

Ineligible expenses include, but are not limited to:

Time and labour provided towards preparation of funding applications, fundraising including costs for fundraising campaigns and websites for fundraising purposes
Endowments, charitable donations, bursaries, developing business cases or proposals for funding, donor recognition, and gifts (except gifts for Indigenous protocols)
Project expenses that are incurred before the application has been received
Capital and facility upgrades, renovations and construction
Debt reduction, financing charges and/or interest payments on loans
Administrative costs and fees that exceed more than 15% of the total project costs (for example: legal fees, accounting/booking fees, bank/financing related charges, ongoing operational expenses such as rent/lease payments and facility maintenance, insurance, fiscal agents, and so on)
Direct government lobbying or partisan political activities (activities related to advocacy must demonstrate non-partisan approaches)

Submitting an Application

Document Requirements

The following required documents must be attached with the online application. If you are using a fiscal agent, please include their documents:

2024 audited year-end financial statements, signed by 2 Board members
or
2024 internally generated financial statements (those that are not presented either as a notice to reader, a review or an audit) signed by 2 Board members and must include a bank reconciliation and bank statement as at the fiscal year-end

For more information, including examples and templates of audited financial statements, internally generated financial statements, and more, please see the financial information resources on Grants and Funding.

Reporting

Successful applicants will be responsible for final reporting within 60 days of the project completion, including:

Projects must be completed prior to the termination date of the funding agreement
A final report is due within 60 days of the project completion
A final report outlining project activities, outputs and outcomes of the project, as well as a financial report showing the approved and actual expense must be submitted by the report deadline indicated in the funding agreement or upon project completion

How to Apply

Create an account in the Community Investment Grant Portal
Review the application guide
Submit your completed application with the following documents:

If you are applying as an organization:
- 2024 audited financial statements signed by two board members
  or
- 2024 internally prepared financials signed by two board members, including a bank reconciliation and year-end bank statement
If you’re applying with a fiscal agent, their financial documents are also required

For templates and examples, visit the City's Grants and Funding page.

Applications close on September 10, 2025 at 11:59pm. No late or incomplete applications will be accepted.

Grant Assessment Criteria

Applications will be assessed based on the following criteria:

Organizational commitment and capacity
Demonstrated project need and benefit to the community
The project has a clear implementation plan with defined timelines, activities, and resources, ensuring readiness for execution. A balanced budget, proportional to the project's scope and expected outcomes, has been developed to support its successful delivery.
A clear evaluation plan
Alignment with the Beyond Belonging Grant priorities

Applicants may receive full, partial or no funding based on:

Grant assessment results and evaluation of their application
Prior experience delivering programming and services for 2SLGBTQIA+ people in Edmonton
Evidence of sound financial processes
Previous funding received from the City of Edmonton
Grant funding available for distribution

An incomplete application that has missing attachments and/or incomplete responses to questions will not be reviewed or assessed.

Funding Requests

This is one-time funding
A minimum award of $10,000 and maximum award of up to $100,000, exceptions may be considered
Programs or projects must be completed within 1 year of receiving approval

Reporting Requirements

A final report is due within 60 days of the project completion
A final report outlining project activities, outputs and outcomes of the project, as well as a financial report showing the approved and actual expense must be submitted by the report deadline indicated in the funding agreement or upon project completion.

Information sessions

Learn More About the 2SLGBTQIA+ Beyond Belonging Grant

There will be two virtual information sessions (July 25 and August 7) to help you learn more about the 2SLGBTQIA+ Beyond Belonging grant and the application process. Each session will include a Q&A, giving you the opportunity to ask questions and get the information you need.

Details:

Two online (virtual) sessions will be offered
If you’re interested in attending, please complete the registration form
Can’t attend? The sessions will be recorded and available to watch online afterward

Registered participants will receive a link to join the session prior to the event date. For more information email Christine Causing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are common reasons that an application is unsuccessful?

Incomplete application and documentation
Organization and/or project/program is not eligible
Not in alignment with grant priorities and outcomes
Project is not in Edmonton or does not serve Edmontonians

When is the deadline to apply?

September 10, 2025 at 11:59pm. No late or incomplete applications will be accepted.

When will applicants be notified?

Applicants will be notified of funding decisions in November 2025.

Why is the program only for a year?

Funding for this grant is approved for 1 year due to the budget allocated to this grant program.