Finding Funding for your program

Start local. Community foundations like the Edmonton Community Foundation and granting bodies like Calgary Arts Development fund exactly the kind of neighbourhood projects you're dreaming about. I kept a simple one-page summary — what, who it helps, how much — and reused it for every application. The biggest unlock was talking to a real person at the foundation before applying; they told me which stream fit and what they actually wanted to see. Don't be afraid to start small: a first $500 grant builds the track record that wins the next one.