Indigenous Financial Capacity : Proposal & Grant Writing - Calgary, AB

Registration is now open for our Indigenous Financial Capacity: Proposal & Grant Writing held at the Courtyard by Marriott Calgary Airport in Calgary, Alberta.

Date: July 7th & 8th, 2026

This conference is designed for program and department directors, managers, and staff, as well as finance leaders and their teams. It brings together those responsible for planning, budgeting, and delivering programs, ensuring a more coordinated and effective approach to proposal and grant development In many organizations, proposal writing responsibilities are concentrated with a single individual. This can create pressure on internal teams and limit long-term sustainability. The purpose of this conference is to strengthen internal capacity within First Nations, Tribal Councils, and not-for-profit organizations by building the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to develop strong proposals in-house.

Key Takeaways:

• How to identify and position real needs
• How to build proposals that actually make sense
• How to align governance, administration, interagency collaboration, and funding
• What funders are really looking for ("The Secret Code")
• How to build strong work plans and budgets
• How to implement and monitor your proposal project
• How to report on your proposal (during and after completion of the project)
• Panel discussions: best practices and real examples

You'll learn a repeatable way to structure proposals, workplans, and budgets so you're not guessing what to include or how to position it. Instead of rushing to meet deadlines, you'll know how to build proposals that are aligned from the start and make sense to funders. You will also learn a repeatable way to implement, monitor, and report on projects if and when your proposals are successful.

Location:

Courtyard by Marriott Calgary Airport

2500 48 Ave NE, Calgary, AB T3J 4V8

Hotel Booking‍

N.B. Lock in your stay before Stampede crowds take over. To secure your room, please use the booking link below: Hotel Booking Link. We recommend booking early to ensure availability during this busy period.

Notice: Morris Interactive takes photos and records this event. By registering, you give Morris Interactive permission to use any images taken during the conference in which you appear.

Agenda

Day 1: July 7, 2026

• 8:00 - 9:00 A.M.  Registration and Networking Breakfast

• 9:00 - 9:15 a.m. Opening Prayer and Kick-off  

• 9:15 - 9:45 a.m. Setting the Stage: Participant Learning Needs  

• 9:45 - 10:30 a.m. Assessing Community Needs  

• 10:30 - 10:45 a.m. Break  

• 10:45 - 10:50 a.m. Energizer Activity  

• 10:50 - 11:15 a.m. Research and Networking  

• 11:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Governance and Administration Alignment  

• 12:00 - 12:45 p.m. Lunch  

• 12:45 - 1:00 p.m. Energizer Activity  

• 1:00 - 1:45 p.m. Anatomy and Structure of a Proposal  

• 1:45 - 2:15 p.m. The Secret Code - Panel Discussion  

• 2:15 - 2:30 p.m. Break  

• 2:30 - 3:50 p.m. The Secret Code - Panel Discussion (continued)  

• 3:50 - 4:00 p.m. Brief Introduction to Day 2  

• 4:00 - 4:15 p.m. Closing Remarks  

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Day 2: July 8, 2026

• 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. Networking Breakfast  

• 9:00 - 9:10 a.m. Day 2 Kick-off  

• 9:10 - 9:55 a.m. Life Cycle of a Work Plan  

• 9:55 - 10:45 a.m. Life Cycle of a Budget  

• 10:45 - 11:00 a.m. Break  

• 11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Requirements for Reporting  

• 12:15 - 1:00 p.m. Lunch  

• 1:00 - 1:15 p.m. Energizer Activity  

• 1:15 - 2:45 p.m. Real Life Examples  

• 2:45 - 3:00 p.m. Break  

• 3:00 - 3:45 p.m. Roundtable  

• 3:45 - 4:15 p.m. Question Period and Participant Feedback  

• 4:15 - 4:30 p.m. Home Fire Prayer

Frequently asked questions

Where will the conference be taking place?

At the Courtyard by Marriott Calgary Airport in Calgary, Alberta.

Will breakfast be served?

Yes

Will lunch be served?

Yes

Do we need to book our own hotel rooms?

Yes – we recommend booking right at the Courtyard by Marriott Calgary Airport in Calgary, Alberta and mention you're attending the conference for an exclusive rate!

Do we have to pay for parking?

No, parking is free at the Courtyard by Marriott Calgary Airport in Calgary, Alberta.

What do I need to bring?

Yourself! All materials will be provided.

Can someone else attend on my behalf?

Yes, but we will require 2 weeks notice for this. Please email tanner@morrisinteractive.ca to inquire.

Can I attend one day and have someone else attend the second?

Sorry, your seat and materials are for one participant only.

If I don’t attend, will I get a refund?

To offer a more streamlined experience for all participants, we do not offer refunds.

Can I bring a friend or colleague with me?

Of course! As long as they have been registered at least 2 weeks prior and paid for their seat. (Unless the conference is at capacity).

Can I pay for my seat after attending the conference?

Sorry, your seat is only confirmed once payment has been received.

Can I pay by cheque or invoice?

To offer a more streamlined experience, as of April 1, 2025, we are only accepting credit card payments for our conferences. If approval is needed by your supervisor,  we can send an approval package, which includes an estimate and a copy of the agenda for approval by your organization.