PrairiesCan Community Economic Development and Diversification (CEDD)
Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
Non-repayable contributions for non-profit organizations, Indigenous organizations, municipalities, and economic development organizations across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Funds community economic diversification, adaptation to economic shocks, and programs supporting underrepresented groups. Distinct from PrairiesCan BSP (ID 213), which serves for-profit high-growth businesses.
Eligibility Requirements
- Not-for-profit organizations supporting community economic development
- Industry associations, economic development organizations
- First Nations, Métis Settlements, municipalities
- Post-secondary institutions
- For-profit businesses eligible only for repayable contributions
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- $75,000 to $1,500,000
- Type
- Grant
- Level
- Federal
- Co-Funding
- Up to 50% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- Ongoing — 2-stage EOI process
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
Everything you need to win CEDD — $19
Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.
- 5-document checklist with what each reviewer is actually checking
- 7-step application timeline with prep hours per step
- Insider tip from program officers on what separates winners
- 6-program stacking strategy to combine with compatible funding
- Success profile + evaluation criteria — exactly what reviewers score on
Applying for CEDD? Our Financial Projections Model ($29) covers the cost-share, matching-fund, and cash-flow math reviewers want to see. Or get all 4 templates in the Founder Pack ($59 · saves $27) →
How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
Insider TipThe EOI is your first impression — invest in it. Describe how the project diversifies the local economy and which underrepresented groups it serves. Confirm co-funding before submitting. Contact regional office (1-888-338-9378) to informally gauge interest.
Success Profile
Economic development organization, Indigenous organization, or municipality in AB/SK/MB with a project generating measurable community benefit. Projects diversifying away from single industries or creating pathways for underrepresented groups are strongest.
Evaluation Criteria
EOI assessed on: alignment with CEDD objectives (community economic diversification, adaptation to economic shocks), demonstrated need, project feasibility, community benefit scope, co-funding confirmation (50%+), and priority given to projects serving Indigenous peoples, women, and youth. Full application further evaluates detailed budget, organizational capacity, measurable outcomes, and sustainability beyond PrairiesCan funding period.
Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 5
Eligible Expenses 12
- Personnel salaries and benefits directly tied to project activities
- Equipment purchases, leases, and installation costs
- IT acquisitions specific to the project
- Legal, administrative, accounting, licensing, permits, and consulting fees
- Rent, leases, and leasehold improvements for project purposes
- Proprietary process acquisitions
- Project supplies and transportation costs
- Capital improvements connected to the project
- Operations and maintenance directly tied to project activities
- Insurance, fees, and taxes on eligible project spending
- Training and skills development program delivery costs
- Marketing and outreach for economic development programs
Ineligible Expenses 9
- Allowance for interest on invested capital, bonds, debentures, and other debt
- Losses on investments, bad debts, and associated expenses
- Federal and provincial income taxes
- Recoverable portion of GST and applicable taxes or surtaxes
- Provisions for contingencies
- Commissions paid to consultants to secure funding
- Costs deemed unreasonable, not incremental, or not directly related to project activities
- Costs incurred before EOI submission
- Core operating costs not tied to the funded project
Intake Periods
Continuous intake via EOI year-round. Budget resets April 1 each fiscal year — submit EOIs April-July for freshest allocations. No fixed deadlines but budget may be committed later in fiscal year.
Deadline Notes
Continuous intake via EOI. Budget resets April 1 — submit EOIs in April-July for fresh allocations. In 2024-25, CEDD delivered $36M to 38 organizations.
Open Application Portal →Ineligible Organizations
- For-profit businesses seeking non-repayable contributions (eligible only for repayable)
- Organizations not operating in Alberta, Saskatchewan, or Manitoba
- Individual persons (must apply through an organization)
- Federal or provincial government departments
Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Compatible Programs
Clawback Risk
Low RiskHow CEDD Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
| Program | Amount | Difficulty | Payment | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PrairiesCan Community Economic Develo... | $75,000 to $1,500,000 | Moderate | Reimbursement | Ongoing — 2-stage EOI... |
| Canadian Heritage Funding Programs | Varies | Moderate | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Ongoing (varies by... |
| NL JobsNL Wage Subsidy | up to $12 | Easy | Reimbursement | Ongoing |
| Alberta Innovation Employment Grant | up to $4M | Hard | Tax Credit Offset | Ongoing |
| Storefront Improvement Grant | Up to $25,000 | Moderate | Reimbursement | Three intake windows:... |
Related Programs
Other programs you might be eligible for
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about CEDD