Alberta Eco Trust

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.

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

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

• Environmental grantmaking
• Climate philanthropy
• Impact investing
• Building retrofit programs
• Nonprofit foundation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Calgary

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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).
3. 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

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core 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

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• SpringcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Partnership 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)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Alberta 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 CalgarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-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 EdmontoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-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)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational partner in Low Carbon Cities Canada implementation, providing knowledge-sharing and capacity building alongside 7 local LC3 centers.
• Kambo Energy GroupmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerImplementation 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 or IntegrationTechnology platform partner providing desktop assessments for Retrofit Accelerator Program participants. Interactive map of Alberta buildings integrated with their platform.
• Alberta Energy Efficiency Alliance (AEEA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork partner providing Retrofit Vendor Network directory of experienced service providers for building retrofits in Alberta.
• Pembina InstitutemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork partner collaborating on building retrofit initiatives and climate solutions research.
• SAIT (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner in Retrofit Accelerator network supporting training and capacity building for Alberta's retrofit sector.
• SOFIAC Energy PerformancesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork partner in Retrofit Accelerator program offering energy performance solutions.
• Efficiency CapitalsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork partner providing efficiency capital solutions for building retrofits.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct 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

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/albertaecotrust
• Facebookfacebook.com/albertaecotrust

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Alberta Eco Trust