Alberta Eco Trust
Alberta Ecotrust Foundation is a Calgary-based non-profit founded in 1991 that advances climate and environmental solutions across Alberta through grants, impact investing, and programs in emissions reduction, building retrofits, and watershed security, serving nonprofits, Indigenous communities, municipalities, building owners, and climate ventures.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1991
- HeadquartersCalgary, Canada
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Alberta Eco Trust does
Alberta Ecotrust Foundation is a Calgary-based non-profit environmental foundation established in 1991 (incorporated under the Alberta Societies Act; charitable registration 13502 9825 RR0001) that advances climate and environmental solutions across Alberta through a combination of grantmaking, impact investing, applied programs, and convening. Its core offerings span three grant streams — Climate Innovation Grants (up to CAD $100,000 for emissions reduction projects in Calgary and Edmonton), Environmental Impact Grants (up to CAD $50,000 for climate resilience, nature-based solutions, and circular economy projects across Alberta), and Springboard Grants (up to CAD $10,000 for organizational capacity-building) — alongside an impact-investing program deploying up to CAD $1 million per deal in urban emissions reduction ventures, and flagship initiatives including ENBIX (an industry-led knowledge hub covering nearly 8,000 Alberta buildings), the Retrofit Accelerator free coaching program, the Getting to Zero Research Project, the Home Upgrades Program for low-income families (delivered with Kambo Energy Group), and the Alberta Coalition for Watershed Security. Its core technology stack is comparatively lightweight: a Constant Contact email platform, an ENBIX content/resource library, and an Audette-integrated Retrofit Accelerator map; there is no proprietary ML or data platform underlying the foundation's services.
Revenue mechanics are anchored by a CAD $43.4 million endowment received in 2021 from the Government of Canada as a founding member of the Low Carbon Cities Canada (LC3) network to operate the Climate Innovation Fund, co-funded by the Cities of Calgary and Edmonton and the Environmental Contributions Fund. The foundation supplements the endowment with annual fundraising (targeting CAD $1.6M in 2025-2026 at an estimated 4% cost-to-raise) and program-restricted support from a recurring set of foundation partners (McConnell Foundation, RBC Foundation, Calgary Foundation, Peter Gilgan Foundation, Dow, Trottier Family Foundation, ATB Community Foundation, Alberta Real Estate Foundation). The organization employs approximately 35 staff across grants, investments, ENBIX, Retrofit Accelerator, development, communications, and policy functions.
The foundation serves five primary customer segments: registered non-profits and qualified Canadian donees undertaking environmental projects (primary); Indigenous communities and Tribal Councils (primary); the Cities of Calgary and Edmonton as climate-action partners (primary); building owners and operators seeking retrofit coaching (secondary); and Alberta-based early-stage climate ventures seeking investor-readiness support through the Spring Scale Ready partnership (secondary). Cumulative outcomes to date include 907 projects funded, CAD $19.5M allocated via grants, CAD $4.4M committed through impact investing across 8 portfolio investments, and potential emissions reductions of 5.4M tCO2e over a 20-year horizon from grant-supported projects.
Alberta Eco Trust firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Alberta Eco Trust
- Legal name
- Alberta Ecotrust Foundation
- Website
- https://albertaecotrust.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1991
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Alberta Ecotrust Foundation is a Calgary-based non-profit founded in 1991 that advances climate and environmental solutions across Alberta through grants, impact investing, and programs in emissions reduction, building retrofits, and watershed security, serving nonprofits, Indigenous communities, municipalities, building owners, and climate ventures.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Alberta Eco Trust industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Environmental Grantmaking and Climate Philanthropy
- NAICS
- Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Environmental Consulting Services (541620)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Carbon Markets & Climate Finance (Offsets, Allowances, Carbon Funds) (FSAAALAH), Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Offset Projects (Grid/Off-grid, Cookstoves, Buildings/Industry) (EUABABAN), Biodiversity, Conservation & Natural Capital Funds (FSANAJAG)
Keywords
Where Alberta Eco Trust is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Calgary
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Alberta Eco Trust business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Climate Innovation Fund Endowment: Alberta Ecotrust received a $43.4 million endowment from the Government of Canada as a founding member of Low Carbon Cities Canada (LC3). The endowment funds grants, impact investments, and program delivery across Calgary and Edmonton.
- Donations and Fundraising: The organization raises funds from donors and community supporters. Planning to raise estimated $1.6M in 2025-2026 from fundraising efforts, with ~$525K cost to raise (4% of organizational budget).
- Impact Investment Returns: Returns from impact investments in climate projects, enterprises, and funds that reduce urban emissions in Calgary and Edmonton. Investments up to $1 million per deal in high-performance buildings, active transportation, and renewable energy.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Climate Innovation Grant - up to $100,000 |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Environmental Impact Grant - up to $50,000 |
| Subscription | Annual | Springboard Grant - up to $10,000 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Environmental Gathering 2026 Tickets |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Alberta Eco Trust product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Alberta Ecotrust Foundation is a nonprofit environmental foundation that funds and delivers climate and environmental solutions in Alberta through grant programs (Climate Innovation up to $100K, Environmental Impact up to $50K, Springboard up to $10K), impact investments up to $1M in urban emissions-reducing enterprises, and free programs including the Retrofit Accelerator coaching service and ENBIX knowledge hub. It also convenes the annual Environmental Gathering conference and partners with organizations across government, industry, Indigenous communities, and nonprofits.
Product overview
Alberta Ecotrust Foundation operates a comprehensive environmental and climate solutions platform centered on its Climate Innovation Fund, a $43.4M endowment from the Government of Canada. The organization offers three grant programs: Climate Innovation Grants (up to $100,000 for Calgary/Edmonton emissions projects), Environmental Impact Grants (up to $50,000 for Alberta-wide environmental initiatives), and Springboard Grants (up to $10,000 for organizational capacity-building). Beyond grants, it provides Impact Investing (up to $1M for urban emissions reduction projects), and manages initiatives including ENBIX (Emissions-Neutral Buildings Information Exchange), the Retrofit Accelerator Program (free coaching for building upgrades), Getting to Zero Research Project, Home Upgrades Program, and the Alberta Coalition for Watershed Security. The organization also hosts the annual Environmental Gathering conference and partners with Spring on the Scale Ready program for climate ventures.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- ENBIX (Emissions-Neutral Buildings Information Exchange): An industry-led information exchange focused on sharing knowledge, building capacity, and advancing sustainable building practices across Alberta. Awarded the 2026 Gold Quill Award of Excellence in the Climate Change and Sustainability category.
- Climate Innovation Fund
- Retrofit Accelerator
- Getting to Zero Research Project
- Environmental Gathering
- Alberta Coalition for Watershed Security
Products and services
- Climate Innovation Grant Funding up to $100,000 per project for emissions reduction projects in Calgary and Edmonton, with $500,000 available per city per grant round. Focus areas include buildings and retrofitting, low-carbon mobility, decarbonization, and renewable energy. For nonprofits and qualifying Canadian donees.
- Environmental Impact Grant
Quantifiable outcome
- 5.4M tCO2e potential emissions reductions unlocked by grant-supported projects over 20-year period
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Alberta Eco Trust
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Alberta Eco Trust technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature3 records
Alberta Eco Trust partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.
- SpringcorePartnership to deliver Scale Ready program increasing access for Alberta climate ventures. Spring provides capital-raising support, financing education, investor preparation, and expert networks. Alberta Ecotrust provides local expertise and regional partner connections.
- Low Carbon Cities Canada (LC3)coreAlberta Ecotrust is a founding member of the Low Carbon Cities Canada network, a national initiative accelerating equitable climate solutions in cities. As an LC3 Centre, Alberta Ecotrust received a $43.4 million endowment from the Government of Canada to establish the Climate Innovation Fund. Network includes 7 local centers and Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
- City of CalgarycoreCo-funder of Climate Innovation Grant ($500,000 per round for Calgary projects) and partner in climate action plans. Head office location acknowledged on supporter logos.
- City of EdmontoncoreCo-funder of Climate Innovation Grant ($500,000 per round for Edmonton projects) and partner in climate action plans. Getting to Zero Research Project funder.
- Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)coreNational partner in Low Carbon Cities Canada implementation, providing knowledge-sharing and capacity building alongside 7 local LC3 centers.
- Kambo Energy GroupmajorImplementation partner for Home Upgrades Program delivering free energy efficiency education and home upgrades (windows, furnaces, insulation) to low-income families in Calgary, Edmonton, and Canmore.
- AudettemajorTechnology platform partner providing desktop assessments for Retrofit Accelerator Program participants. Interactive map of Alberta buildings integrated with their platform.
- Alberta Energy Efficiency Alliance (AEEA)majorNetwork partner providing Retrofit Vendor Network directory of experienced service providers for building retrofits in Alberta.
- Pembina InstitutemajorNetwork partner collaborating on building retrofit initiatives and climate solutions research.
- SAIT (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology)supportingEducational partner in Retrofit Accelerator network supporting training and capacity building for Alberta's retrofit sector.
- SOFIAC Energy PerformancesupportingNetwork partner in Retrofit Accelerator program offering energy performance solutions.
- Efficiency CapitalsupportingNetwork partner providing efficiency capital solutions for building retrofits.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Alberta Eco Trust competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- The Atmospheric Fund (TAF): Toronto-based LC3 sister centre with the same urban climate innovation mandate, endowment structure, and grantmaking model. Both deploy government endowment capital to fund emissions reduction projects in major Canadian cities and share best practices through the LC3 network.
- EQ Foundation (formerly Equilibrium): Canadian foundation focused on accelerating climate solutions through grants and impact investing across the country. Comparable mission and multi-vehicle capital deployment approach (grants + investments) targeting climate ventures and emissions reduction projects.
- Spring Impact Capital: Canadian climate venture investor and ecosystem builder running investor readiness programs for climate founders. Direct partnership peer via the Scale Ready program and a recipient of Alberta Ecotrust's $250K investment in Spring Impact Capital Fund.
Broad incumbents
- Pembina Institute: Canada's largest clean energy-focused think tank, operating across multiple provinces on energy transition, buildings, and policy. As a formal Alberta Ecotrust network partner and grantee, it is a comparable Canadian environmental organization with overlapping climate and retrofit priorities.
- Nature Conservancy of Canada: Canada's largest land conservation organization with operations in Alberta including boreal and prairie programs. Comparable as a major Canadian environmental nonprofit combining grants, conservation investments, and partnership-driven program delivery at national scale.
- David Suzuki Foundation: One of Canada's most recognized environmental foundations, focused on climate action, biodiversity, and sustainability. Comparable as a national Canadian grantmaker and advocacy organization with multi-decade operating history and diverse revenue model including donations and partnerships.
- ClimateWorks Foundation: Global climate philanthropy that funds and coordinates systems-change efforts on buildings, energy, and industry. Comparable as a high-capacity grantmaking foundation targeting emissions reductions through catalytic funding, although at global rather than provincial scale.
Regional players
- Vancouver Foundation: British Columbia's largest community foundation administering significant environmental grantmaking in the Vancouver region. Comparable as a Canadian regional foundation making environmental and climate grants while operating a multi-stakeholder partnership model.
Others
- Environment Funders Canada: Canadian philanthropic collaborative dedicated to growing and aligning environmental grantmaking across the country. Comparable as an ecosystem convener with overlapping membership and shared agenda on climate, biodiversity, and water funding in Canada.
Emerging players
- Calgary Climate Hub: Calgary-based nonprofit advancing local climate action through education, advocacy, and convening. Operates in the same Calgary ecosystem as Alberta Ecotrust with overlapping nonprofit, municipal, and community audiences, though at smaller scale and narrower advocacy focus.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Alberta Eco Trust social profiles
Digital presenceAlberta Eco Trust compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Alberta Eco Trust financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Alberta Eco Trust leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles18 records
Alberta Eco Trust funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Alberta Eco Trust M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Alberta Eco Trust
What does Alberta Eco Trust do?
Alberta Ecotrust Foundation is a nonprofit environmental foundation that funds and delivers climate and environmental solutions in Alberta through grant programs (Climate Innovation up to $100K, Environmental Impact up to $50K, Springboard up to $10K), impact investments up to $1M in urban emissions-reducing enterprises, and free programs including the Retrofit Accelerator coaching service and ENBIX knowledge hub. It also convenes the annual Environmental Gathering conference and partners with organizations across government, industry, Indigenous communities, and nonprofits.
Is Alberta Eco Trust a public or private company?
Alberta Eco Trust is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Alberta Eco Trust founded?
Alberta Eco Trust was founded in 1991.
Where is Alberta Eco Trust based?
Alberta Eco Trust is headquartered in Calgary, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Alberta Eco Trust make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Climate Innovation Fund Endowment is the primary driver. The others are donations and Fundraising and impact Investment Returns.
Who are Alberta Eco Trust's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are The Atmospheric Fund (TAF), EQ Foundation (formerly Equilibrium) and Spring Impact Capital. Broad incumbents are Pembina Institute, Nature Conservancy of Canada, David Suzuki Foundation and ClimateWorks Foundation. Vancouver Foundation is listed as a regional player. Environment Funders Canada is listed as an others. Calgary Climate Hub is listed as an emerging player.
Does Alberta Eco Trust have an API?
No public API is recorded for Alberta Eco Trust.
What industry is Alberta Eco Trust in?
Alberta Eco Trust's product category is Environmental Grantmaking and Climate Philanthropy. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAKAM, Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations, with a secondary code of FSAAALAH, Carbon Markets & Climate Finance (Offsets, Allowances, Carbon Funds). Its NAICS code is 813211 and its SIC code is 8600.