Alberta’s government is investing $1 million to help faith-based and cultural organizations recover costs associated with COVID-19. 

From hosting online events, to facility upgrades and offering PPE, faith-based and cultural community groups have persevered to continue bringing hope, joy and connection to their communities. The new Faith-based and Cultural Facility Relaunch Grant will provide funding to offset costs related to following public health measures to ensure important religious and cultural gatherings can continue safely. 

Leela Sharon Aheer, Minister of Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women, says, “The ability to gather for worship and connect with our communities is critical for our mental health and well-being. The Faith-based and Cultural Facility Grant will help ensure these organizations can continue to give back to their communities, host gatherings and celebrate important holidays while following public health guidelines.” 

Places of worship are not typically eligible for existing pandemic response funding, and have faced reduced donations and rental revenue, and increased costs for cleaning and facility changes to allow for physical distancing and increased ventilation. This new program fills the gap in funding to ensure these organizations can continue to serve their communities. 

Organizations can apply for up to $5,000 per facility to offset the costs incurred to follow public health measures. Eligible expenses include PPE, cleaning supplies and services, contactless dispensers, translation and printing services for health-related signage, small facility space changes to allow for physical distancing and increased ventilation, and technology upgrades for online delivery of services. 

This one-time grant will cover costs incurred from April 1, 2020 to March 1, 2021. Applications will be processed following the first deadline of Dec. 15 and after the program closes on March 1, 2021, to ensure organizations that have already incurred costs related to COVID-19 can be reimbursed as quickly as possible. 

For more information on the grant and to apply, visit alberta.ca/faith-based-and-cultural-facility-relaunch-grant.