The Alberta government will match private donations of up to $100,000 to help not-for-profit events producers and/or owners of venues for cultural and sports entertainment rebound from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. A newly announced round of the provincial Stabilize Program also includes one-time grants of up to $75,000 for the same types of not-for-profit organizations that make a matching contribution through cash, donated labour, materials or equipment.
“We are enabling non-profit organizations to develop creative solutions that will support their long-term sustainability and help them get back to hosting the live events Albertans are craving,” maintains Leela Sharon Aheer, Alberta’s Minister of Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women.
In total, $13 million is earmarked for the two grant initiatives to support the resumption of in-person attendance at programming offered in cultural centres, museums, sports facilities, arts spaces and agricultural society halls. This follows a previous announcement of $2 million to support live music venues, and $17 million allocated through the program earlier this year.
Qualifying organizations have until July 29 to apply for the Adapt and Innovate stream, described as support for “reimagining” their business models and activities. Funds can be applied to operations, marketing or event production. Priority will be given to smaller organizations with annual budgets no greater than $1.5 million, and to those showcasing events produced in Alberta. Recipients will be expected to reopen to the public no later than August 2022.
A longer application window, until November 5, is open for procuring matching donations. Organizations can recruit their own donors — which could be an individual, private sector company or a not-for-profit organization that is not the recipient’s own foundation or charity — or they might find patrons among sponsoring donors that have independently pledged to support the program through the Alberta government’s channel.
In both cases, amounts of $25,000 to $100,000 must be obtained from a single donor. The Alberta government has committed $3 million to be allocated as matching funds, on a first-come first-served basis.
