Deadline: 28-Aug-2026
The Future Focus Funding – Exploration Phase provides up to $15,000 to help arts organizations in the Treaty 7 region explore organizational challenges, develop future-focused strategies, and plan for long-term sustainability. Before applying, organizations must review the program guidelines and book a conversation to confirm their eligibility through the Rozsa Foundation.
Future Focus Funding – Exploration Phase Overview
The Future Focus Funding – Exploration Phase is designed to help arts organizations assess their current position, identify opportunities and challenges, and develop strategies that support long-term organizational success.
Rather than funding artistic programming, the program supports organizational planning and transformational change. It enables organizations to investigate new directions, strengthen governance and leadership, diversify revenue, and prepare for future growth or restructuring.
The initiative is part of the Future Focus Program, a collaborative funding effort that supports organizational resilience and sustainability within the arts sector.
Funding Partners
The Future Focus Program is delivered through a collaboration between:
- Calgary Arts Development
- Rozsa Foundation
- Calgary Foundation
The program also receives additional support from the Canada Council for the Arts in 2026.
Funding Available
Successful applicants may receive:
- Maximum funding: Up to $15,000
The funding supports the Exploration Phase, allowing organizations to investigate challenges, assess opportunities, and develop strategic plans before implementing significant organizational changes.
Objectives of the Program
The program aims to:
- Strengthen the long-term sustainability of arts organizations.
- Support organizational transformation.
- Help organizations respond to changing environments.
- Encourage strategic planning for future growth.
- Improve organizational resilience.
- Promote innovation in governance and business models.
- Build stronger partnerships within the arts sector.
Focus Areas
Funding may be used to explore:
- Organizational needs and priorities.
- Strategic project planning.
- Long-term sustainability.
- Organizational viability.
- Business model adaptation.
- Organizational restructuring.
- Development of new strategic directions.
- Organizational capacity assessment.
- Venue and facility planning.
- Space-related needs.
- Leadership succession planning.
- Alternative revenue-generating activities.
- Revenue diversification.
- Strategic partnerships.
- Organizational lifecycle planning.
- Partnerships or mergers.
- Organizational closure planning where appropriate.
Who Is Eligible?
Eligible applicants include:
- Arts-focused organizations.
- Organizations that significantly engage the arts as part of their mission.
- Registered charities.
- Registered nonprofit organizations.
- Grassroots organizations.
- Ad-hoc groups.
- Comparable alternative organizational structures.
Eligibility Requirements
Organizations must:
- Have at least two years of operating activity.
- Operate within the Treaty 7 region, including Red Deer.
- Demonstrate a significant commitment to arts-related activities.
- Meet all program eligibility requirements confirmed through a pre-application consultation.
What the Funding Supports
The Exploration Phase supports activities such as:
- Identifying organizational challenges.
- Research and organizational assessment.
- Strategic planning.
- Feasibility studies.
- Capacity-building initiatives.
- Leadership planning.
- Revenue strategy development.
- Partnership exploration.
- Business model evaluation.
- Organizational change planning.
The funding is intended to help organizations prepare for future implementation rather than carry out completed projects.
What Is Not Funded
The program does not support:
- Artistic programming development.
- Emergency operating funding.
- Fundraising plans.
- Fundraising events.
- Routine organizational strategic planning.
- Seed funding for newly established organizations.
- Training related to nonprofit or charitable compliance requirements.
Why This Funding Matters
The Future Focus Funding – Exploration Phase helps organizations:
- Prepare for long-term sustainability.
- Build stronger organizational capacity.
- Respond proactively to changing circumstances.
- Explore innovative operating models.
- Develop resilient leadership structures.
- Strengthen financial sustainability.
- Make informed decisions before implementing major organizational changes.
By supporting thoughtful planning, the program enables organizations to build stronger foundations for future success.
How to Apply
Organizations must complete the following steps:
- Review the official program guidelines.
- Book a conversation with the program team to confirm eligibility.
- Discuss the proposed project and organizational needs.
- Receive eligibility confirmation.
- Prepare the required application materials.
- Submit the application through the Rozsa Foundation’s online application portal.
- Await funding decisions.
Only organizations that complete the eligibility conversation may proceed with the application.
Tips for a Strong Application
To strengthen your application:
- Clearly define the organizational challenge or opportunity.
- Explain why organizational change is needed.
- Demonstrate long-term impact.
- Present realistic planning objectives.
- Show how the exploration phase will inform future action.
- Highlight organizational readiness.
- Explain how the project supports sustainability.
- Include measurable outcomes where possible.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these common application errors:
- Applying without completing the required eligibility conversation.
- Requesting funding for artistic programming.
- Seeking emergency operating funds.
- Proposing routine strategic planning activities.
- Applying as a newly established organization without the required operating history.
- Failing to demonstrate organizational need.
- Submitting incomplete application materials.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the Future Focus Funding – Exploration Phase?
It is a funding program that helps arts organizations investigate organizational challenges, develop strategic plans, and prepare for long-term transformation and sustainability.
2. How much funding is available?
Eligible organizations may receive up to $15,000 for exploration and strategic planning activities.
3. Who can apply?
Arts-focused organizations and organizations that significantly engage the arts in their mission, with at least two years of operating activity in the Treaty 7 region, including Red Deer, are eligible to apply.
4. What types of projects are supported?
The program supports organizational planning activities such as sustainability assessments, leadership succession planning, business model development, partnership exploration, revenue diversification, and strategic organizational change.
5. What activities are not eligible for funding?
Funding cannot be used for artistic programming development, emergency operating costs, fundraising activities, routine strategic planning, seed funding for new organizations, or nonprofit compliance training.
6. Is a pre-application consultation required?
Yes. Organizations must review the program guidelines and book a conversation with the program team to confirm eligibility before submitting an application.
7. How are applications submitted?
After eligibility is confirmed, applications must be submitted through the Rozsa Foundation’s online application portal.
Conclusion
The Future Focus Funding – Exploration Phase provides up to $15,000 to help arts organizations build stronger, more sustainable futures through strategic planning and organizational development. By supporting research, capacity building, leadership planning, and innovative organizational strategies, the program enables eligible organizations in the Treaty 7 region to make informed decisions and prepare for long-term success in a rapidly evolving arts landscape.
For more information, visit Rozsa Foundation.