Capital project: GHG impact retrofit
Funding for upgrades that reduce energy use and operating costs in your community buildings.
MUNICIPAL AND COMMUNITY BUILDINGS
Funding update
The deadline to submit a full Community Buildings Retrofit (CBR) application is December 19, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
GMF remains committed to helping municipalities and their partners plan and deliver impactful community building projects. Funding for community buildings will become available again in early 2026 through GMF’s Sustainable Municipal Buildings (SMB) offer.
This transition will provide municipalities with a clear, streamlined path to fund retrofits and new construction projects for municipally owned buildings.
As the CBR initiative nears the end of its funding window on March 31, 2026, any unallocated funds from CBR may be reallocated to SMB to support new community building construction projects under that offer.
Next steps for applicants
If you have an active application under the CBR initiative that may be affected by upcoming changes, a GMF project advisor will contact you with the necessary information and next steps.
If you are interested in starting a new application for CBR funding, we encourage you to contact a GMF representative at gmfinfo@fcm.ca to discuss your project. Our team will help assess whether you have the time and information needed to submit a complete funding application ahead of the December 19, 2025, deadline.
More information
If you have concerns about the future of a project in the pre- or full-application stage, please contact a GMF advisor at gmfinfo@fcm.ca, 1-877-417-0550, or book a meeting.
Stay informed about new and returning funding opportunities by subscribing to GMF’s newsletter, Connect.
Funding Snapshot
Maximum of $10 million per project. Up to 25% as a grant and the remainder as a loan. Combined loan and grant for up to 80% of eligible project costs.
All Canadian municipal governments (with the exception of Low Carbon Cities Canada (LC3) namesake municipalities; Municipal government project partners.
Applications are accepted year round, though this offer will close when all funding has been allocated.
See the application guide for a list of eligible costs.
NOTE:
If your project involves a building conversion or addition, your project might be considered a new building OR a retrofit and would require further consideration by GMF. Please contact GMF for clarification: gmfinfo@fcm.ca
Apply for funding to undertake retrofits that reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 30% compared to baseline levels—modernizing infrastructure, extending building life and cutting long-term operating costs. These savings help free up municipal budgets for essential services and improve overall quality of life.
Eligible projects can focus on a single community building or take a portfolio approach—saving staff time and resources by submitting one funding application for multiple buildings. A portfolio can include:
- multiple community buildings within the same municipality
- one or more community buildings combined with other municipal buildings in the same municipality
- similar types of community buildings across multiple municipalities (subject to GMF review)
What is the required GHG impact?
Projects must aim to achieve a minimum 30 percent GHG reduction from current or baseline performance. Eligible projects may be a single building retrofit, or a portfolio of buildings (across a single municipality or group of municipalities).
Read our application guide for full details.
Eligible buildings
To be eligible for this grant, projects must include at least one community building that is owned by a municipality or not-for-profit organization.
A community building is an enclosed public place or an enclosed workplace that is:
- owned by a municipal government or not-for-profit
- primarily used for the purposes of providing athletic, recreational, culture and community programs or services to the local community
- widely accessible to everyone offering services designed to enhance the health and well-being, skills development, and economic development of individuals and communities
Community buildings include:
- indoor ice rinks, indoor sports arenas, indoor swimming pools
- community and recreational centres (e.g., community centres, clubhouses, seniors’ centres and clubs, recreation centres, gyms, halls, curling rinks)
- arts and culture facilities (cultural facilities, performing arts facilities, art galleries, and auditoriums)
- libraries
- multi-purpose buildings which include one or more of the above community functions as well as other services/administrative functions
For full project scope and eligibility, please read our application guide.
Notes
CBR only provides funding for one type of capital project per municipality. In addition, only one GHG impact retrofit project is eligible per municipality, regardless of whether the included building (or buildings) are owned by the municipality or a not-for-profit organization.
Funding is subject to availability. We reserve the right to make changes to eligibility criteria and the types of projects funded through this offer.
How to Apply
- Download and review the application guide.
- Review the eligibility criteria and required document sections.
- Reach out to a GMF representative to discuss your project at gmfinfo@fcm.ca or 1-877-417-0550.
- Visit the FCM funding portal. Follow the portal instructions to prepare and submit your application.
- Eligible projects will be invited to submit a full application.
Are you seeking guidance to you get the most of your CBR initiative?
GMF now offers a new CBR Advisory Service and is intended to help municipalities maximize the potential of their CBR project by matching them to industry leaders who understand best practices in energy retrofits of community buildings and who can help municipalities achieve their energy goals.
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Need help to see if this is the right funding for you?
Contact our Outreach team who can answer any questions you have relating to this funding opportunity.
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