G. Murray and Edna Forbes Foundation Fund ~
- The information on this page was last updated on: July 3, 2025
Grant Deadline: September 1 (11:59pm)
The G. Murray and Edna Forbes Foundation, administered through the South Saskatchewan Community Foundation, accepts applications for both project-based and operating grants. Applications must be received by September 1 each year for consideration. Grant requests must be for a minimum of $5,000 and a maximum of $35,000.
Organizations may submit up to three distinct applications, with each application proposing a unique initiative and requesting funding within the specified range. Please note that a final report is required for each successful grant upon the completion of the funded work.
The purpose of the grant is to support general charitable purposes in the South Saskatchewan area as per the criteria and guidelines outlined below.
Successful grantees are required to submit a Final Grant Report (using the required Final Grant Report Form). The report will indicate all progress related to the goals and evaluation measures identified in the proposal application.
Project grants: No later than 60 days after the approved project end date.
Operations grants: No later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year of the approved use of the grant.
Please note: Guidelines and criteria may change prior to the application process opening for the September 1 deadline.
Application results will be communicated in early November.
If you need to request a change to the approved grant purpose or require an extension to the final grant report due date, please feel free to contact us at [email protected]. We’d be happy to assist you, and the appropriate forms can be assigned to you through the Online Grant Portal.
Guidelines and Criteria
To be eligible to apply for a grant, an organization must be a registered charity, qualified donee as defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada), or have an affiliation agreement with and a letter of endorsement of the program from a qualified donee, such as a registered municipality.
Priority shall be given to specific proposals related to:
- Arts and Culture
- Education
- Environment. For example, proposals that support minimizing carbon footprint, pollution reduction, transition to clean energy, habitat preservation and/or restoration, and related education activities.
- Health including mental health, drug abuse/addictions programming
- Homelessness and Affordable Housing
- Indigenous Programming
- Poverty Reduction
- Youth
Grant Funds shall NOT be used for:
- Operating or capital deficits
- Establishment of endowment funds
- Investment
- Retroactive funding for past expenses
- Individuals
- Political Activities
- Continuing or multi-year commitments
- To confer private benefit on any individual
Proposals will be evaluated on the following criteria:
- How were the grant needs determined?
- What methods were used to identify the need?
- Which granting priority area does the application apply to?
- What capacity does the organization have to complete the work?
- What factors determine success?
- Are there other funders or funding committed to the work?
- Have any necessary approvals been achieved?
- Has any other work in this area been undertaken?
- Internal capacity to ensure project success.
Preference is given to work at the local level, work that encourages local partnerships, and work that leverages additional sources of funding.
Grantees with over-due reporting may not be eligible to apply for or receive grants.
How to Apply
- Submissions are to be made by using our Online Grant Portal.
- Create a login profile with your contact information and that of your organization.
- Before applying, please read the application guidelines, and contact the Foundation if you'd like to verify eligibility.
- Before finalizing your application through the Online Grant Portal:
- Download and complete the required Grant Budget & Cost Form to prepare for uploading it as part of your application.
- Have your Financial Statements and Annual Report ready to upload as part of a complete application.
- Have any other relevant materials, in electronic form, ready for upload.
- The Foundation may request additional details if necessary.
- The G. Murray and Edna Forbes Foundation Fund is a competitive grant program. Requests for support typically exceed available funds, and not all worthy requests may be supported. Applications are assessed by the Fund Advisor, with final decisions approved by the Foundation.
- The Foundation will inform applicants of its final decision by email ([email protected])
- All decisions regarding applications and interpretations of guidelines and policies are final.
- The Foundation reserves the right to update and revise its program information at any time.
Application Checklist
To be considered a complete application, the following documentation must be received by the deadline:
- Complete and submitted Online Application Form
- Project budget – Grant Budget & Cost Form (revenues and expenses must equal to "0")
- Annual financial statements, preferably audited if the organization has been in existence for more than a year
- Copy of your most recent annual report, if available
- All pertinent material that the applicant feels will help in the evaluation of the application.
- Agreement with partner (re. charitable status), if applicable
We're Here to Help!
Do you have questions about applying for grants or scholarships? Curious about deadlines or would like more information?
Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.
