Community Initiatives Funding Stream Applicant must:

• Be an ERIN member in good standing

• Host the initiative in full or in part within the Edmonton Metropolitan Region

• Demonstrate ecosystem benefit beyond their own organization

• Demonstrate meaningful collaboration with at least one partner organization through confirmed cash or in-kind contributions (beyond letters of support), ensuring ERIN is not the sole contributor; initiatives with multiple collaborators will be prioritized

• Align with ERIN’s mission, values, and commitment to fostering connection, collaboration, and measurable impact within the ecosystem

• Submit a budget outlining how ERIN funding will be used, including identification of all other in-kind and monetary contributors to the initiative

• Agree to and sign ERIN’s Community Initiatives Funding Agreement as a condition of funding

Note: If an application is declined, the same initiative may not be resubmitted within the same fiscal year; however, applicants may submit a different initiative for consideration within that same fiscal year.

If an application is approved during the first intake, applicants may submit a new application during the second intake, provided that the first initiative has been completed and the required post-initiative report has been submitted.

All applicants must include the following core key performance indicators (KPIs):

• Total number of attendees/participants

• Sectors represented

• Demographic information, including the participation of underrepresented groups

• Breakdown of ecosystem participants (e.g., SMEs, startups, post-secondary institutions, etc.)

Applicants will also be asked to:

• List all stakeholders involved in the initiative and outline their roles

• Describe how the initiative fostered community building and created opportunities for collaboration among participants

• Identify the anticipated short-term and long-term benefits to Edmonton’s innovation ecosystem resulting from the initiative

• Provide post-initiative impact indicators, such as:

  • Number of follow-up collaborations initiated

  • Number of resource referrals made

  • Number of new connections made

  • Number of follow-up meetings generated

  • Participant satisfaction score/NPS/participant belonging & inclusion

  • Testimonials demonstrating ecosystem impact

In addition, applicants must provide 2–4 additional custom KPIs relevant to their initiative. These may include:

• Job creation outcomes

• Revenue growth opportunities created

• Investment readiness milestones achieved

• Resource access improvements

• Number of mentors or experts engaged

• Knowledge acquisition metrics

• Participant progression along the entrepreneurial journey

KPIs must:

• Be specific and measurable

• Include a defined tracking methodology

• Demonstrate ecosystem benefit beyond organizational gain

The following list provides an overview of the costs that are eligible for coverage under the Community Initiatives Stream. These guidelines are designed to ensure that funding supports initiatives aligned with ERIN's objectives and delivers measurable community benefits.

Applicants should review the list carefully to understand which expenses qualify for funding consideration.

• Labour

  • No more than 25% of total funding requested allocated to salary (excluding benefits) for individuals whose time can be attributed to program activity

  • Reasonable professional training & development that is deemed integral to the successful implementation of the program

• Materials

  • Reasonable material costs, such as the design and production of hard copy collateral or learning materials for attendees

• Marketing and Promotion

  • Paid social media promotion where the value exceeds the cost

• Capital Assets and Software

  • Software required for capturing and reporting data, implementing the initiative, or improving the information-sharing architecture with ERIN

• Travel

  • Travel costs for founders/entrepreneurs to attend conferences, events, or meetings that directly support business development, commercialization, or program outcomes

• Sub-Contractors

  • Licence for existing programs or curricula

• Food and Venue Costs

  • Venue fees*

  • Food/Beverage expenses shall not exceed an average cost of $35 per person, per day

• Other

  • Costs that are pre-approved by ERIN in writing

*Applicants are required to submit quotes from the selected venue as part of their application and provide a clear rationale for choosing that specific venue. Wherever possible, applicants should prioritize cost-effective options, such as venues offering discounts for community or non-profit initiatives, subsidized spaces, or municipal facilities. The rationale should explain how the venue aligns with the initiative’s objectives, including accessibility, capacity, and location. This ensures transparency and alignment with the fund's commitment to responsible spending.

The following list provides an overview of the costs that are ineligible for coverage under the Community Initiatives Stream. These guidelines are designed to ensure that funding supports initiatives aligned with ERIN's objectives and delivers measurable community benefits.

Applicants should review the list carefully to understand which expenses qualify for funding consideration.

• Labour

  • Multi-level marketing that is sales-driven

• Marketing and Promotion

  • Multi-level marketing that is sales-driven

• Capital Assets and Software

  • Acquisitions of land or buildings

  • The undepreciated value of eligible capital costs which extends beyond the project timeframe

  • Cost of licensing content

• Travel

  • Mileage, airfare or transportation, accommodation, and meals for initiative organizers, guest speakers, or general attendees

  • Passport or immigration fees

  • Reimbursement for airfare

  • Commuting costs between place of residence and place of employment

• Sub-Contractors

  • Cost associated with the use of Sub-Contractors to develop a new program or curriculum, among other things

• Food and Venue Costs

  • Expenses related to alcohol and tobacco/cannabis**

• Other

  • Expenses for projects or activities outside the approved Project

  • Entertainment, hospitality and gifts

**An exception on the eligibility of tobacco and gifts is permitted in cases where there is a recognized cultural or religious custom that includes the presentation of these items as part of established traditions or practices

Post Initiative Report have to be completed and submitted within one year of initiative completion.