Deadline: 31-Jul-2026
The Future Focus Funding – Investigation Phase supports arts organizations in Calgary and the Treaty 7 region to explore major organizational challenges and future directions. It provides up to $5,000 for early-stage planning, consultation, and strategy development focused on sustainability, structural change, partnerships, and revenue diversification. The program is delivered by Calgary Arts Development, Rozsa Foundation, and Calgary Foundation, with support from the Canada Council for the Arts (2026).
What is Future Focus Funding – Investigation Phase?
The Future Focus Funding – Investigation Phase is an early-stage exploratory grant designed to help arts-focused organizations examine and respond to significant internal or structural challenges.
It supports organizations in asking and answering key questions about:
- Long-term sustainability
- Business model transformation
- Organizational restructuring
- Revenue diversification
- Strategic partnerships
- Possible mergers or closures
The goal is not immediate implementation, but structured investigation and planning for future change.
Program Purpose and Objectives
This funding helps organizations prepare for meaningful transformation.
Core Objectives:
- Support organizational self-assessment and reflection
- Enable exploration of new operational models
- Strengthen financial and structural sustainability
- Encourage strategic collaboration and partnerships
- Support long-term adaptation in the arts sector
- Facilitate informed decision-making about organizational futures
Key Focus Areas
The program focuses on deep organizational development and future planning.
1. Business Model Transformation
- Reviewing existing operational models
- Exploring structural changes
- Assessing incorporation or governance models
2. Sustainability Planning
- Long-term financial viability strategies
- Organizational resilience planning
- Resource optimization
3. Revenue Diversification
- Exploring new income streams
- Developing earned revenue strategies
- Reducing reliance on single funding sources
4. Strategic Partnerships
- Collaboration with other organizations
- Resource sharing models
- Partnership feasibility studies
5. Organizational Lifecycle Decisions
- Mergers and alliances
- Structural transitions
- Closure planning (where necessary)
Funding Overview
Grant Amount:
- Up to $5,000 per organization
Purpose of Funding:
- Early-stage exploration
- Consultation and planning
- Research and information gathering
- Strategy development preparation
Eligible Uses:
- Expert consultations
- Strategic planning sessions
- Organizational assessments
- Staff capacity support for exploration
- Research into future directions
- Design of exploration frameworks
Program Delivery Partners
The program is a collaborative initiative supported by:
- Calgary Arts Development
- Rozsa Foundation
- Calgary Foundation
- Canada Council for the Arts (support in 2026)
These organizations work together to support long-term resilience in the arts sector.
Who is Eligible?
Eligibility is focused on arts-based and arts-engaged organizations in Alberta (Canada).
Eligible Applicants:
- Arts-focused organizations
- Organizations significantly engaged in the arts
- Registered charities
- Non-profit organizations
- Grassroots or ad-hoc arts groups
- Organizations with comparable structures
Geographic Eligibility:
- Must operate in the Treaty 7 region, including Red Deer
Additional Eligibility Criteria:
- Minimum 2 years of operating history
- Must not have active Future Focus funding for the same project
- Must not have outstanding reporting requirements
- Must not be receiving overlapping funding from partner organizations for the same initiative
Conditional Eligibility:
- Some provincial arts service organizations outside Treaty 7 may qualify if they directly support arts organizations in the region
Ineligible Activities
The program does not fund direct programming or routine operations.
Not Eligible:
- Artistic production or presentation
- Emergency operating costs
- Fundraising events or campaigns
- Routine strategic planning processes
- Creation of new organizations
- Basic nonprofit compliance training or administration learning
How the Program Works
Step 1: Review Guidelines
Organizations study eligibility and program requirements.
Step 2: Consultation Requirement
Applicants must:
- Book a consultation
- Confirm eligibility before applying
Step 3: Define Organizational Challenge
Identify a key question such as:
- Financial sustainability
- Structural change
- Partnership potential
- Long-term direction
Step 4: Develop Exploration Plan
Plan activities such as:
- Research and analysis
- Stakeholder consultation
- Expert advice sessions
- Internal capacity discussions
Step 5: Submit Application
Access is granted after consultation approval.
Step 6: Funding Decision
Selected organizations receive up to $5,000 for investigation work.
Key Principles of the Program
The funding is guided by a structured change-focused approach.
Core Principles:
- Exploration before implementation
- Organizational honesty and reflection
- Evidence-informed decision-making
- Long-term sustainability focus
- Sector-wide resilience building
- Collaboration and knowledge sharing
Why This Program Matters
The Future Focus Investigation Phase strengthens the arts sector by:
- Helping organizations prepare for structural change
- Supporting financially sustainable arts ecosystems
- Encouraging collaboration and shared resources
- Reducing organizational risk through early planning
- Improving long-term adaptability in the arts sector
- Supporting strategic transformation instead of short-term fixes
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying for artistic programming instead of organizational development
- Treating the grant as operational funding
- Lack of clear organizational challenge definition
- No consultation booking before applying
- Weak focus on long-term sustainability
- Proposing routine strategic planning only
- Ignoring eligibility geography (Treaty 7 region requirement)
Key Concepts Explained
Investigation Phase
An early-stage process focused on exploring challenges before making decisions or implementing changes.
Business Model Change
A shift in how an organization operates, earns revenue, or delivers value.
Organizational Lifecycle
The stages of development, growth, transformation, or closure of an organization.
Revenue Diversification
Expanding income sources to improve financial stability.
Strategic Partnership
A structured collaboration between organizations to share resources or capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the Future Focus Funding – Investigation Phase?
It is a Canadian grant supporting arts organizations to explore major structural, financial, or strategic challenges.
2. How much funding is available?
Up to $5,000 per organization.
3. Who can apply?
Arts organizations or arts-engaged groups operating in the Treaty 7 region with at least 2 years of history.
4. What can the funding be used for?
Planning, consultation, research, and exploration of organizational challenges.
5. Does it fund artistic projects?
No. It does not fund artistic production or programming.
6. Is consultation required before applying?
Yes. Organizations must book a consultation before accessing the application.
7. Can organizations outside Treaty 7 apply?
Only in limited cases where their work directly benefits arts organizations in the region.
Conclusion
The Future Focus Funding – Investigation Phase is a strategic early-stage grant designed to help arts organizations in Alberta explore critical questions about their future. By supporting planning, consultation, and structural analysis, it enables organizations to prepare for meaningful transformation and long-term sustainability in a rapidly evolving arts sector.
For more information, visit Rozsa Foundation.