Environmental Initiatives Grant

We are no longer accepting applications for the 2024 Environmental Initiatives Grant.

The Environmental Initiatives Grant will provide up to $10,000 to support community-led projects that empower citizens to take action to achieve the vision and goals of the Environmental Master Plan. Total funding available in 2024 is $75,000.

Deadlines:  

  • Projects must be completed by December 31, 2024
  • Final reports are due January 31, 2025

Eligible applicants:

Registered non-profit societies in good standing serving Red Deer are eligible. They must provide proof of recently filed Society Annual Return with the Government of Alberta and not be in arrears with The City of Red Deer for any municipal charges. Individuals with ideas for projects will need to work with a non-profit organization.

Eligible projects:

  • Demonstrate that the majority of those directly benefiting from the project are Red Deer residents
  • Support at least one of the goals outlined in The City’s Environmental Master Plan (EMP)
  • Priority will be given to projects that involve partnerships and contributions such as volunteers, cash, materials and supplies

Eligible projects include but are not limited to workshops, activities and initiatives that increase local awareness of environmental issues and participation in climate change mitigation, adaptation or restoration projects. For example:

  • Host a virtual two-day conference to focus on the threats and vulnerabilities facing the watershed
  • Collect water pH, total dissolved solids and temperature data, and ship water pollution kits to schools and individuals
  • Support citizen science environmental projects at summer camp designed to educate children about nature
  • Promote active transportation by providing service safe, secure and free parking for bicycles at large festivals and other major community events
  • Diverting bicycles from the waste stream by hosting bicycle repair workshops
  • A student led initiative to divert waste masks from the landfill by repurposing them

Ineligible projects:

  • Major structures and/or renovations to structures that are not moveable or removable
  • Projects in progress or completed prior to the funding application
  • Duplication of funding already provided by The City of Red Deer

Funding may not be received if there are outstanding reports due for previously received grants.

Please review the complete Grant Application Guidelines (pdf) before starting your application. Also find resources and technical advice in the Application Resources file below.

Application Resources

These documents will help you with your application:

Environmental Initiatives Grant FAQs (pdf)

Smart Simple User Manual for Environmental Initiatives Grant (pdf)

EI Grant List of Questions and Information Needed (pdf)

For further assistance please email environmental.initiatives@reddeer.ca.

Appeals

Community Development will consider appeals only in instances where the appellant believes there has been an error in fact or in process in the handling of their submission. Disagreement with a final funding decision in itself does not warrant an appeal. To make an appeal, complete your Appeal Form (pdf) and submit it to environmental.initiatives@reddeer.ca within 10 business days of conditional notification.

2023 Funded Projects
Organization Project Name Funding
ReThink Red Deer Energy Innovation Fair $10,000
African Caribbean Centre of Central Alberta Environmental Awareness Project – Camp for Youth $10,000
Red Deer River Watershed Alliance Society Community-Based Monitoring Aquatic  Ecosystem Health Tool Program $9,000
Waskasoo Environmental Education Society Climate Literacy Through Direct Action Programming $10,000
ReThink Red Deer Common Ground Community Camp $10,000
2024 Funded Projects
Organization Project Name Funding
Red Deer Food Bank Society Rainwater Capture and Gardening Program $10,000
Red Deer Food Bank Society Local Food Resources Map and Directory $10,000
Leftovers Foundation Rescue Food Red Deer 2024 $5,000
Ten Peaks Innovation Alliance Inc. 10Peaks Innovation Xchange $10,000
Red Deer Family Services Bureau Urban Habitat Planter Project $10,000
ReThink Red Deer The Eco Living Fair Revival $10,000
ReThink Red Deer A Can of Worms $10,000
African Caribbean Centre of Central Alberta Black Families Environmental Awareness Project 2024 $8,000