As you get ready to apply for the 2026 Field Law Community Fund Program, here are a few tips to help you put your best foot forward and give your idea the greatest chance of success.

1. Start with a clear, focused idea
Your project should be easy to understand and explain in one or two sentences. Stay away from broad or vague goals. Be specific about what you’re doing and why it matters.

Example: Instead of “we want to support mental health,” try “we’ll provide 50 free, walk-in counselling sessions for youth aged 16 to 24.”

2. Be strategic about how much you ask for

Individual Ideas may receive up to $15,000 in Alberta and $10,000 in the Northwest Territories, but that doesn’t mean every Idea should request the maximum. Consider what your Idea realistically needs and provide a clear budget showing how the requested funds will be used. If an Idea can move forward with partial funding, make that clear in your application and explain what could be accomplished at different funding levels.

Tip: Apply only for what you truly need. A clear, well-justified budget – whether that’s $2,000 or $10,000 – helps your application stand out.

3. Make it easy to fully fund your project
Judges often prefer to fully fund a complete idea rather than contribute a small portion to a much larger one. Applications that show how the requested amount will cover the entire project tend to be more compelling.

Example: “We need $6,000 to run six community workshops” is stronger than “We’re raising $100,000 for a new facility. Every bit helps.”

4. Show the ripple effect
Help the judges see how your idea benefits more than just a few people. They’re looking for community impact – even small projects can create meaningful change.

Example: A youth-led bike repair program plans to train 15 high school students and repair 50 bikes for community members over the summer. The project helps participants build job skills, gives low-income families access to reliable transportation, and activates a shared space that other local programs can use too.

5. Be realistic, not wishful
It’s okay if your project is small. What matters is that it’s doable. Break down the budget in simple terms and clearly show how you’ll use the funds.

Tip: Focus on project costs. The Program won’t cover general operating expenses, staff salaries, or overhead.