Deadline: 15-May-2026
The Future Focus Program’s Exploration Phase offers grants of up to $15,000 to arts-focused organizations seeking to explore challenges, opportunities, and organizational transformation. The program supports planning, needs assessment, and strategy development to prepare organizations for meaningful change.
What is the Exploration Phase?
The Exploration Phase of the Future Focus Program is designed to help arts-focused organizations investigate challenges or opportunities and develop actionable plans for organizational transformation. This phase emphasizes understanding needs, identifying solutions, and creating structured pathways for change.
Key activities supported include:
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Articulating a challenge, opportunity, or key question facing the organization
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Understanding how to enable significant organizational change
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Engaging external support to identify needs and opportunities
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Developing a project plan or strategy for future implementation
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Initial planning, consultations, and information gathering
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Designing an exploration process and identifying organizational priorities
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Preparing for implementation of organizational change
The program provides funding to allow organizations to examine challenges deeply, consult with external experts, and create a roadmap for meaningful transformation.
Who Can Apply?
Eligible applicants include:
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Arts-focused organizations or groups that integrate the arts significantly into their mission
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Organizations operating at least two years and within the Treaty 7 region, including Red Deer
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Registered charities, non-profit organizations, ad-hoc groups, grassroots organizations, or groups with comparable structures
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Organizations without an active Future Focus project or outstanding reporting obligations
Why This Program Matters
Arts organizations often face complex challenges and opportunities that require thoughtful planning. The Exploration Phase provides:
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Dedicated funding for planning and strategy development
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Support for engaging external expertise to identify needs
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Resources to create structured pathways for organizational change
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A framework to guide future implementation and maximize impact
By supporting early-stage exploration, the program helps organizations prepare for significant growth, transformation, or innovation.
How the Exploration Phase Works
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Identify Challenge or Opportunity – Organizations clearly define a key question, challenge, or opportunity.
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Engage External Support – Consult with experts to understand needs and potential solutions.
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Develop Exploration Plan – Outline an approach for research, consultations, and initial development.
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Conduct Initial Activities – Gather information, identify priorities, and shape a structured response.
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Create Project Strategy – Develop a roadmap or project plan to guide next steps.
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Prepare for Implementation – Use insights and planning to position the organization for meaningful transformation.
Tips for Applicants
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Clearly define the challenge or opportunity you aim to explore
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Demonstrate how exploration will lead to organizational transformation
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Highlight engagement with external experts or consultants
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Include a detailed plan for exploration and initial development
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Ensure eligibility criteria, including two years of operation and Treaty 7 region location, are met
FAQs
1. What is the maximum grant amount? Up to $15,000 per organization.
2. Who qualifies as arts-focused? Any organization whose mission significantly engages the arts, including cultural or creative programming.
3. Can organizations with active Future Focus projects apply? No, applicants must not have active projects or outstanding reporting.
4. What activities are eligible for funding? Planning, needs assessment, consultations, information gathering, strategy development, and initial exploration.
5. How long must an organization have operated? Applicants must have at least two years of operating activity.
6. What geographical areas are eligible? Organizations must operate within the Treaty 7 region, including Red Deer.
7. Can ad-hoc or grassroots groups apply? Yes, groups with comparable organizational structures are eligible.
Conclusion
The Future Focus Program’s Exploration Phase empowers arts-focused organizations to investigate challenges, assess needs, and develop strategic plans for meaningful organizational transformation. By providing funding, expert engagement, and a structured exploration process, the program prepares organizations for effective, long-term change and impact within their communities.
For more information, visit Rozsa Foundation.
