Calgary Foundation

Last week, a handful of staff and friends of Calgary Foundation had the pleasure of attending a mural walk hosted by the Beltline Urban Murals Project (BUMP). We explored 15 murals and learned about the artists, inspiration, and stories behind each piece, including several new additions from this year’s festival.

It was a great opportunity to see the city from a different perspective and to learn how public art can help shape communities and spark conversation. Thank you to BUMP for an inspiring afternoon exploring the murals and installations that help nurture a healthy, vibrant community.

Learn more about BUMP: https://yycbump.ca/

The Kahanoff Centre invites you to join a timely and thoughtful discussion moderated by Angie Gelinas, CEO of the Nonprofit Chamber, on the theme What Won’t Change? - A Place to Start.

This conversation will invite you to step back from today’s uncertainty and focus on the lasting needs, missions, and partnerships that can guide the nonprofit sector into the future.

Don't miss this event on Thursday, October 1 at Decidedly Jazz Danceworks Theater.

The discussion starts at 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., followed by lunch in the DJD community living room.

Tickets available here: https://bit.ly/4cBoc7c

Calgary International Film Festival - CIFF is back and we're thrilled to be a sponsor again this year.

The Calgary International Film Festival, presented by Servus Credit Union, returns September 24 to October 4, 2026, for 11 days of unforgettable films, special events, and cinematic experiences from Calgary and around the world.

From must-see features and documentaries to shorts, Q&As, red carpet events, live music, and more, CIFF is where film lovers come together to discover what’s next in cinema.

Get ready to celebrate 27 years of film, art, culture, and community in Calgary. See what's playing at CIFF: https://bit.ly/4ijHZvr

A sense of belonging grows when people share their time, talents, and ideas with one another.

With support from Neighbour Grants, the Millican Ogden Community Association (MOCA) marked its 70th anniversary with a community celebration filled with activities, storytelling, and opportunities to connect. Residents of all ages came together to honour local history, celebrate community pride, and strengthen their sense of belonging.

Neighbour Grants offers up to $10,000 for projects designed and led locally. Apply today and bring your organization’s idea to life: https://bit.ly/4217WXq

What if one of the biggest barriers to literacy is the assumption that every child learns to read at school?

The Kids Literacy Collective is working across schools, families, government, and social systems to address literacy challenges and create lasting change for children and families.

Read the full story in spur magazine to learn how collective action is helping bring illiteracy out of the shadows and into the light: https://bit.ly/4r4ujXx

School is back in session, pages are turning, and curiosity is in full swing. This International Literacy Day, we're celebrating the organizations helping make education and literacy more accessible for everyone.

Looking to support organizations dedicated to education in our community? Explore the Community Knowledge Centre: https://bit.ly/4dl0coT

Know an organization that should be on the list? Invite them to join the CKC and help more people discover their work: https://bit.ly/401uW7v

Come work with us! We're looking for a Donor Stewardship Advisor to join our Donor Relations team.

This full-time role works closely with donors and families to support donor stewardship, grantmaking, and family philanthropy, while helping connect philanthropic interests with community needs.

Join us and help build a healthy, vibrant, giving, and caring community. Apply by 4 p.m. MT on September 16.

Full details: https://bit.ly/3OEQapy

Join us for our annual celebration as we look back on the impact we've made together and ahead to what comes next.

Hear from Eva Friesen, President & CEO of Calgary Foundation, on the Foundation's financial performance, grantmaking impact and the 2026 Quality of Life Report. We'll also welcome keynote speaker Tareq Hadhad, CEO & Founder of Peace by Chocolate, whose journey from loss and displacement to entrepreneurship and belonging is a powerful reminder that hope can emerge from life's most difficult moments.

VITAL CITY 2026
🔸 Tuesday, October 20
🔸 4 – 7p.m.
🔸 Champions Ballroom, BMO Centre at Stampede Park

RSVP by October 9: https://bit.ly/4AbwsVF

📢 Big news for small charities: We've updated our Strategic Opportunity Grants program!

If your organization has a great idea but isn't ready to put it into action yet, this program can help. Strategic Opportunity Grants now offers three distinct streams: Investigate, Develop, and Test.

Whether you're exploring a challenge or opportunity, designing potential solutions, or testing an approach before implementation, you can apply directly to the stream that best matches where you are in the process.

Strategic Opportunity Grants support the planning, development, and testing needed to move ideas toward implementation-ready plans. The program does not fund project delivery or implementation.

Applications are due by 4 p.m. on the last day of each month.

Learn more and apply today: https://bit.ly/3UQqbuL

The next cohort of Grant Training for Nonprofit Innovation & Sustainability starts October 6, 2026.This six-week live online program is designed to help Canadian fundraising and grants staff pair sound grant strategy with practical AI workflows, so AI sharpens proposals instead of just producing more. The program is led by Sara Stepa, a former funder, and Mina Demian of grants-ease.ai.

Learn more and register today: https://bit.ly/4guCEAf