Re-Imagine Downtown Activation Grant Program 2025 (Canada)

The Re-Imagine Downtown Activation Grant aims to support businesses, entrepreneurs, organizations and community-minded individuals in implementing initiatives, events and programs that activate the Downtown core. The program focuses on activating vacant and underutilized private and public spaces in Downtown Lethbridge.

Another major goal of the Re-Image Downtown Activation Grant is to fund new, unique, and innovative events that improve the Downtown, with a key focus on those events becoming financially sustainable in future years. To support this goal, new events will be prioritized over reoccurring events, and new events will be eligible for greater funding amounts.

For the 2025 Re-Imagine Downtown Activation Grant, there will be a particular focus on activating Galt Gardens Park.

Funding Information

• Total funding available for 2025 is $120,000.00.
  • There will be 1 application intakes for 2025. The ReImagine Grant will see up to $120,000 in funds awarded.
  • Final Reports for the 1st intake will be due within 90 days of the event completion.
  • Applications for events OUTSIDE of Galt Gardens can be made for up to $10,000 per initiative, event, or program. However, a City of Lethbridge Fee for Service Organization is limited to 2 events per year.
  • Applications for events INSIDE of Galt Gardens will be prioritized and can be made for up to $15,000 per initiative, event, or program. However, a City of Lethbridge Fee for Service Organization is limited to 2 events per year.
  • 60% of grant funds will be released when grant is awarded, the remaining 40% of funds is released upon acceptance of Final Report. The City is not obliged to release all of fund committed if deemed City funds were used for ineligible expenses.

Ineligible Expenses

• Ineligible Expenses Applications may not receive funding for the following ineligible expenses:
  • Prizes including gift cards, alcohol, and merchandise for resale.
  • Retroactive expenses or accumulated deficits.
  • Administrative/Project Wages and Salaries
  • In-Kind expenses.
  • Purchase of land or buildings.
  • Capital expenses not related to or necessitated by the proposed initiative, event and/or program.

Outcomes

• Proposed initiatives, events, and programs should align with the vision and direction of the Heart of Their City Master Plan and be connected to addressing the wants, needs, and pain points identified in the Heart of Their City Downtown Personas Project.
• Proposed initiatives, events, and programs should also support the following outcomes:
  • Experiment with fun and innovative ideas that generate community participation and engagement.
  • Transform or breathe new life into vacant or underutilized public or private spaces, making them attractive, inviting, inclusive, and safe.
  • Create opportunities for people to safely connect with their local Downtown neighborhood.
  • Showcase the Downtown, including businesses and organizations that call this neighborhood home.
  • Enhance the creativity, connection, and local identity of the Downtown and Lethbridge community.
  • Encourage links between community, arts, culture, recreation, business, and tourism.
  • Promote environmental sustainability.
  • Promote Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility, ensuring Downtown is a welcoming and accessible space for all.

Eligibility Criteria

• The following eligibility requirements apply to the Re-Imagine Downtown Activation Grant.
  • Businesses and non-profit organizations are eligible to apply. If an Individual is applying, they must be partnered with a non-profit organization or a business.
  • The initiative, event and/or program must physically take place within the Downtown, Civic Precinct, Warehouse District and 13 St N areas. Online or digital proposals will not be considered.
  • A significant portion of the initiative, event and/or program must take place outdoors in a public space. (i.e., the event cannot take place exclusively inside) Applications with events where 100% of activities take place outside will be scored higher.
  • At least some component of the initiative, event and/or program must be free to the public.
  • Applications for an initiative, event and/or program for which the main purpose is fundraising will not be accepted.
  • Initiatives take place in 2025 and final reports must be completed and submitted within 90 days of event completion. Outside of peak season (June-September) events will be prioritized.

For more information, visit City of Lethbridge.