Tips
Supported
Five Tips for Submitting a Strong Application
As you get ready to apply for the 2025 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
Southern
and Northern Alberta each have $30,000 in total funding. The Northwest
Territories region has $20,000. Asking for the full amount means your
idea would need to be the top (and only!) choice in your entire region.
Smaller, more focused requests are more likely to be recipients – this
helps make room for more great ideas to be funded.
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.