Environmental Impact Grant

The application portal for the 2026 Environmental Impact Grant is now open

Program Guidelines

The Environmental Impact Grant program criteria is available on this page, or you can download a PDF copy of the grant program guidelines. Contact our Program Specialists before submitting your Expression of Interest (EOI) to discuss your project’s fit (book a 30-minute call with Carolina or Diana).

Download the 2026 program guidelines

Get up to $50,000

You can request up to $50,000 in funding for the Environmental Impact Grant.

Alberta Ecotrust Foundation would consider disbursing up to $100,000 to multiple groups in equal partnership on a high-impact initiative. Please indicate through the Expression of Interest (EOI) if you want to explore this additional funding and clearly outline your concept, approach and partners. We highly encourage you to contact one of our Program Specialists before your EOI to discuss this option (book a 30-minute call with Carolina or Diana).

If you apply as a high-impact initiative, your application will not be considered for the $50,000 amount. Only one high-impact grant will be awarded per grant cycle.

Focus Areas

The Environmental Impact Grant aims to support initiatives in our four focus areas.

1
Nature-based Solutions & Conservation
Meeting the pressing need for effective carbon sequestration, biodiversity protection, and sustainable ecosystem services calls for initiatives that employ nature-based solutions and contribute to long-term environmental resilience.
2
Climate Resilience & Emissions Reductions
There is a need for communities across Alberta to design and implement effective emission reduction strategies. Initiatives in this category will investigate and adopt integrated, scalable approaches to reducing community GHG emissions.
3
Circular Economy
A precursor to successful circular economy initiatives is a clear understanding of circular economy, however, many people still struggle to understand the concept. Circular economy is based on three principles, driven by design: eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials (at their highest value), and regenerate nature. Underpinned by a transition to renewable energy and materials, the circular economy is a resilient system that is good for business, people, and the environment.
4
Overarching/Foundational
Historically and today, there has been unequal distribution of environmental benefits and burdens, where marginalized or underrepresented groups face disparities in accessing a clean and healthy environment and participating in environmental decision-making processes.

Are You Eligible?

Organizations can submit multiple initiatives at the EOI stage, but only one full application will be accepted per grant round. The following organizations are eligible to apply:

Registered charities
Nonprofit organizations
Band Councils; Tribal Councils, Tribal Associations or Tribal Governments; and Organizations of Indigenous communities across Alberta

Municipalities, the Government of Alberta and provincial agencies, academia and for-profit and private sector entities can be eligible provided they partner with a charitable and/or nonprofit organization that acts as the lead proponent for the initiative.

Contact our grant teams at grants@albertaecotrust.com if you are unsure if you can apply.