Apply now for Future Focus Funding Program 2026 (Canada)

Deadline: 23-Oct-2026

The Future Focus Funding program supports arts organizations in the Treaty 7 region, including Red Deer, to investigate challenges, explore new approaches, and implement transformative operational changes. Eligible organizations can apply for phased funding of up to $5,000, $15,000, or $25,000, depending on the development stage of their proposed initiative.

About the Future Focus Funding Program

Future Focus Funding helps arts organizations examine significant operational questions and develop future-oriented solutions. The program supports changes that move organizations beyond their existing practices. Proposed activities should contribute to meaningful organizational transformation rather than routine programming or minor operational improvements. Through research, consultation, planning, and implementation, participating organizations can develop more adaptive, sustainable, and effective ways of working. Purpose of the Funding The program is designed to help arts organizations: - Investigate major organizational challenges - Consider new operational models - Consult communities, staff, artists, and stakeholders - Identify emerging organizational needs - Explore innovative and future-focused approaches - Plan significant changes - Implement strategies developed through previous research - Strengthen long-term adaptability and sustainability Projects should address questions or opportunities that could substantially influence an organization’s future direction. What Is Transformative Organizational Change? Transformative change refers to a significant shift in how an organization operates, makes decisions, serves its community, or achieves its mission.

It may involve rethinking:

- Governance and leadership structures - Organizational policies and procedures - Community engagement practices - Revenue and sustainability models - Equity, accessibility, and inclusion - Staffing or workforce systems - Strategic partnerships - Program delivery models - Digital operations - Organizational culture - Succession and leadership planning The proposed change should represent a clear departure from the organization’s previous or current practices. Funding Phases and Grant Amounts Future Focus Funding is available through three phases. Organizations should apply to the phase that best reflects the current stage of their work.

Investigation Phase: Up to $5,000

The Investigation Phase supports organizations beginning to examine an important question, challenge, or opportunity.

Funding may support:

- Preliminary research - Initial consultations - Facilitated discussions - Environmental scans - Organizational assessments - Early-stage idea development - Gathering information from communities or stakeholders This phase is appropriate when an organization has identified an issue but needs more information before deciding how to proceed.

Exploration Phase: Up to $15,000

The Exploration Phase supports deeper analysis and the development of a defined plan for organizational change.

Activities may include:

- Detailed needs assessments - Community or stakeholder engagement - Feasibility studies - Testing possible approaches - Professional consulting - Strategic planning - Developing an implementation framework - Identifying resources, risks, and partnerships This phase is suitable for organizations that understand the general challenge but need to determine the most effective response.

Implementation Phase: Up to $25,000

The Implementation Phase supports the execution of a transformative organizational change. Applicants should normally have completed an exploration, planning, or comparable development process before requesting implementation funding.

Supported activities may include:

- Introducing a new operational model - Implementing new governance systems - Restructuring internal processes - Launching a new community-engagement approach - Applying an organizational sustainability plan - Introducing new accessibility or equity practices - Implementing recommendations from previous research - Managing the transition to a new way of working The application should clearly explain the evidence, planning, or previous work informing the proposed change. Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants may include:

- Arts-focused organizations - Organizations or groups that significantly engage the arts through their mission - Registered charities - Registered non-profit organizations - Ad-hoc groups - Grassroots arts organizations - Groups with comparable alternative organizational structures - Provincial arts service organizations whose work directly affects arts organizations in Treaty 7 Applicants must have completed at least two years of operating activity. Geographic Eligibility Applicants must be based in the Treaty 7 region, including Red Deer. Provincial arts service organizations may also qualify if their proposed work will directly benefit or affect arts organizations operating in the eligible region.

Applications should clearly describe:

- Where the organization operates - Which communities it serves - How the proposed work will benefit the Treaty 7 arts sector - Whether the impact will be local, regional, or sector-wide Who Is Not Eligible? An organization may be ineligible if it: - Has an active Future Focus project - Has outstanding reports from previous funding - Holds a current funding agreement from the Rozsa Foundation for the same project - Holds a current funding agreement from CADA for the same project - Holds a current funding agreement from Calgary Foundation for the same project - Has operated for less than two years - Cannot demonstrate an eligible connection to the Treaty 7 region - Proposes routine activities rather than transformative organizational change Organizations should resolve outstanding reporting obligations before submitting a new application. Eligible Project Ideas A Future Focus project could examine or implement changes related to: - New governance or shared-lea