On May 23, 2023, the CREB® REALTOR® Community Foundation opened applications for its 2023 Community and Transformation Grants, which support housing and shelter projects in Calgary and area.
CREB® REALTOR® Community Foundation grants in 2023
What is available
- Community Grants: $75,000 for major repairs or renovations that keep people housed in their communities.
- Transformation Grants: $30,000 for minor renovations that improve housing quality for those who need it most.
- Legacy Grant: $350,000 to Ronald McDonald House Charities, the second instalment of a three-year, $1 million commitment to an expansion that will more than double the number of families it can support.
“Everyone deserves a safe and stable place to call home,” said Catherine Chow, Chair of the Foundation. Applications are open until June 30, 2023, at creb.com.
Why we share this
Housing in Calgary is not only about prices and sales. Local REALTORS® fund these grants, and they help non-profits keep existing homes and shelters in good repair while new supply is built.
Two kinds of grants for housing
The Foundation runs two application-based programs. Community Grants fund major repairs or renovations to existing housing or shelter supply, so that people can stay housed in their communities. Transformation Grants fund minor renovations to existing buildings to improve housing quality for those who need it most. Both focus on homes that already exist. In a city where new supply takes years to build, keeping current shelters and affordable units in good condition is one of the fastest ways to protect people at risk of losing their housing.
Catherine Chow, Chair of the Foundation, said the grants are about “helping keep people housed and improving housing quality through renovation and repair,” and encouraged all eligible organizations to apply.
The Legacy Grant
Separately, the Foundation will award $350,000 to Ronald McDonald House Charities in 2023. It is the second instalment of a three-year funding agreement totalling $1 million for an expansion project that will more than double the number of families RMHC can support. The funds will be presented on June 20. Applications for Legacy Grants will open again in 2025.
What the money has done so far
Jason Yule, CREB’s Director of Communications, said the Foundation is seeing families move into new affordable housing and “all kinds of repairs and updates” to housing run by local non-profit organizations. The money comes from CREB REALTORS, who choose to invest it in the communities where they work.
How to apply
- Who: eligible organizations that provide or operate housing or shelter in Calgary and area.
- When: Community and Transformation Grant applications are open until June 30, 2023; applicants will be notified on various dates during the year.
- How: full instructions are at creb.com under community investment and grants. Read all requirements and funding criteria before you apply.
Why it matters for the housing market
The market reports we publish every month show very low supply and rising prices, especially for the most affordable homes. Grants like these do not change the benchmark price, but they help the people who are most exposed to a tight market, and they support the non-profit housing that many families rely on.
Who the grants are for
The grants are aimed at organizations, not individuals. A shelter that needs a new roof, a non-profit that wants to renovate units so they can be rented again, or a housing provider that needs accessibility upgrades are the kinds of projects the programs describe: major repairs and renovations that keep people housed, and smaller renovations that improve the quality of housing. If you work with or volunteer for such an organization, it is worth sharing the deadline with them. Successful applicants are notified on various dates throughout the year.
