Applications Open: Calgary Region Accreditation Accelerator — Second Edition
Calgary Foundation and Imagine Canada are pleased to announce the second Calgary Region Accreditation Accelerator program for organizations based in Calgary and Treaty 7 territory wanting to pursue accreditation through Imagine Canada’s Standards program.
The Accelerator exists to remove the barriers that keep capable organizations from reaching Imagine Canada Standards accreditation — the sector's benchmark for accountability. Thanks to generous support from Calgary Foundation, participating organizations receive: the Standards Community fee and one-time accreditation application fee waived, a recurring Community of Practice with peer organizations, personalized guidance, and connections to local resources that help organizations move through the accreditation process at a pace that fits their capacity and readiness.
“Calgary Foundation is proud to continue our partnership with Imagine Canada to support charities and nonprofits across Calgary and Treaty 7 territory on their journey toward accreditation. We were inspired by the organizations that participated in the first cohort and by the growth, learning and sense of achievement that came from that experience. We’re excited to build on that momentum and provide more organizations with the resources, guidance and support they need to strengthen their practices, build organizational capacity and ultimately better serve their communities.”
— Allison Schulz, Vice-President, Capacity Building, Calgary Foundation
Eligibility & How to Apply
The Calgary Region Accreditation Accelerator is open to charitable organizations and public-benefit nonprofit organizations of all sizes and types based in Calgary and Treaty 7 territory.
We particularly encourage applications from organizations led by and serving Indigenous and racialized communities, people with disabilities, and the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
We recognize that capacity-building work — and the internal practice improvement that goes with it — takes real time and effort from your team. To make the program as accessible as possible, we have kept the application process simple and succinct. The first step (an Expression of Interest) is a brief introduction to your organization and a statement of your interest in pursuing accreditation at this time; applicants who advance will be invited to complete a short second-stage application.
The application deadline is November 4, 2026 at 11:59 PM MT.
Follow the link for more Accelerator program details and the application form:
We expect to select between 10 and 20 organizations for this edition of the program. Selected organizations will be notified and invited to the Accelerator launch and orientation in January 2027.
Email us at [email protected] with any questions about the program.
ABOUT Imagine Canada Standards Accreditation
Created “by the sector for the sector,” the Imagine Canada Standards Accreditation is the only national accreditation program designed for all Canadian charities and nonprofits. To earn accreditation, organizations must demonstrate excellence in five fundamental areas: board governance; financial accountability and transparency; fundraising; staff management; and volunteer involvement.
ABOUT Calgary Foundation
Calgary Foundation inspires philanthropy, supports the charitable sector and builds a permanent endowment to address the current and future needs of people in their community. By applying their resources, expertise, and leadership, Calgary Foundation acts as a catalyst and convener, creating a meeting place that fosters partnerships to build a strong charitable sector that serves the needs of all members of the community.