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Community Event Support Grant

The City of Lethbridge recognizes the value of special events and the contribution they make to the vitality of our community. Our Community Event Support Grant provides funding support for not-for-profit organizations to initiate and develop new events or help with the maintenance of existing events.

Apply

*The Community Event Support Grant for 2024 is currently under revision for improvements. Stay tuned for more information.

Application deadlines

The 2023 application deadlines for the Community Event Support Grant are:

  • January 31, 2023 at 4:30 p.m.
  • May 1, 2023 at 4:30 p.m.
  • July 31, 2023 at 4:30 p.m.
  • October 31, 2023 at 4:30 p.m.

Submit a final report

If your application is approved and you receive grant funding, your organization must submit the following to us at grants@lethbridge.ca  within 90 days following your event:

  • A completed final report form
  • A final budget signed by two executive officers or an audited financial statement for the event
  • Promotional event material with City of Lethbridge Logo included (i.e., copies of the event program, other print materials, ect) and if available, JPEG photos of the event with permission for the City to use the photos. Not providing the logo on promotional material, will make your final report ineligible and risk loss of funding.

Eligibility criteria

View the types of organizations and events that are eligible for the Community Event Support Grant.

Eligible organizations must have a community mandate and be one of the following:

  • Legally registered and in good standing as a not-for-profit organization
  • An organizing committee backed or sponsored by an organization with not-for-profit status
  • A Lethbridge-based organization holding an event in the city

Ineligible organizations

The following organizations are not eligible for the grant:

  • Commercial, business, and private organizations
  • Public institutions (i.e., schools, churches, all levels of government, hospitals or medical facilities and regional health authorities)

Municipal and regional governments or departments (i.e., libraries, police, fire, etc.)

Events that are eligible for the Community Event Support Grant include:

  • Sport competitions – a single event or tournament competition comprised of a combination of local and external competitors, coordinated by a local organizing community and volunteer base
  • Community Festivals – annual events actively programmed around a theme, with a focus on community organization and participation, requiring a significant commitment of facilities or impact on the community. This includes entertainment-based events where the festival celebration is the primary goal
  • Conferences – events providing an educational or networking opportunity that benefit citizens of Lethbridge while attracting delegates or participants from outside the community. Events cannot be exclusive in manner and should include at least a minimal opportunity for the general public or special interest groups
  • Advocacy – an apolitical or non-religious based gathering that benefits the community at large. It cannot be controversial or divisive in nature

To be eligible, an event must:

  • Demonstrate a high degree of community support based on attendance, participation, organization, membership, volunteers, financial contributions, and in-kind donations
  • Not duplicate or be similar in nature to existing celebrations or events currently being offered
  • Not receive financial assistance through other City of Lethbridge funding policies or decisions of Council

Ineligible events

The following types of events are not eligible for the Community Event Support Grant:

  • Capital projects not related to the proposed event
  • Retroactive expenses or accumulated deficits

Special interest events (i.e., weddings, religious gatherings, demonstrations, marches or events for commercial purposes)

Funding amount

The maximum funding amount you can receive through the Community Event Support Grant is a matching financial contribution up to $7,500 which does not exceed 50% of the event budget.

Because funding is limited, all organizations that meet the eligibility criteria may not be supported or receive the full amount requested.

You can use grant funds for the operation of your event or for services and facility rentals provided by the City, including:

  • Special Events staff labour costs for setup and take down
  • Logistical services such as traffic signs and barricades
  • Transportation by City transit
  • City facility rental
  • Police and/or Fire services

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