Dec 3, 2024
Apply for funding
Make a positive impact in your community
Investments from TC Energy’s Social Impact program, Build Strong, are guided by a set of criteria.
We consider investment opportunities from communities within an approximate 30-kilometre (20-mile) radius of our operations or projects, that:
- Align with one of our focus areas
- Address a gap or need in the community that will allow the community to thrive
- Create shared value and prosperity between our communities and our business
- Promote equity and equality
- Offer engagement opportunities for our employees
- Demonstrate measurable impact
Our partnerships reflect the diversity of the communities where we live and work across North America. Through our social impact portfolio, we support organizations that promote equity and equality and contribute to a more inclusive future for us all.
Please note
Meeting TC Energy’s community investment criteria does not guarantee funding. Despite our significant investment in communities, we are unable to support all worthy, well-qualified organizations.
Ineligible organizations
- Operating expenses, dues or memberships (includes staff wages, utilities, honorariums, rent, etc.). If your initiative requires the employment of a subject matter expert, total funding allocated to this expert's salary cannot exceed 30% of the total funding requested.
- Sponsorships, conferences, galas, trade shows, conventions, seminars
- Agricultural organizations
- Giveaways or prizes
- For-profit organizations
- Private schools
- Organizations that discriminate based on race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation
- Individuals, GoFundMe or similar campaigns
- Religious, political or special interest groups
- Advocacy and lobby initiatives – including organizations that lobby against the energy industry
- Sports, professional, recreational or minor sports teams (including golf tournaments, hockey, or other sporting tournaments)
- Infrastructure Projects or Capital Projects
- Playgrounds for schools or public spaces
- Trips, tours and travel expenses
- Fundraisers
- Advertising, memberships, ticket sales, or lotteries
- Mass-mailed or non-addressed solicitation
- Health-related organizations
- Arts organizations (theatres, museums, orchestras, etc.)
- Organizations seeking to purchase firearms and/or weapons (guns, bullet proof vests, ammunition, etc.)
- Endowments or organizations seeking to provide scholarships to students
FAQs
When is the application deadline?
We will accept applications on a rolling basis from January 22, 2025 – November 7, 2025. Once all Build Strong dollars have been allocated, applications will not be considered for the remainder of the year. We encourage you to apply early.
My organization received funding from TC. How do I complete our impact report?
If you are a successful applicant, you will be required to provide impact data metrics via a reporting survey that TC Energy will send you within one year of being awarded your funds. You’ll receive this survey via email to the primary contact in your initial application. This survey will ask you to finalize the anticipated data you provided in your original application. If you do not respond to this survey, you will be ineligible for future funding from the Build Strong program. The email you receive will specify your organization’s grant date, you will be asked to report on all activities that took place from the grant date.
If our program is ongoing and we have not exhausted our TC Energy funding, do we still need to submit a report?
Yes, you will still be required to fill out the report for the funding that has been exhausted and make a note of why the remaining funding has not been.
How long will it take to review my application?
It can take on average 8 – 10 weeks to review an application in full. It can sometimes take longer, and all applicants will be notified of their final status via email. If our team has questions regarding your application, they will reach out to you.
How many funds can I ask for and can I apply more than once?
Typical Build Strong support ranges from $2,500 - $25,000, especially for first time grantees. Build Strong may fund nation-wide requests that impact multiple geographies and larger number of community members at a higher level. Please ensure you provide a detailed budget breakdown specific to the funding requested of TC Energy, not the overall project budget. Organizations can apply for funding once per calendar year.
My initiative benefits primarily Indigenous peoples, can I still apply?
Yes! We have a separate Build Strong application for Indigenous groups and organizations that benefit more than 75% Indigenous peoples. To learn more, visit the Indigenous Community Legacy page.
Any tips to ensure my application is successful?
- Review our eligibility criteria
- Provide a clear description of what you are requesting and a detailed budget breakdown
- Demonstrate alignment to our focus areas and/or business priorities
- Be prepared to talk about recognition and engagement opportunities for our employees
- Ensure you provide accurate impact data and demographic information in your initial application. This will allow for a quicker informed decision to be made.
Applying
THE BUILD STRONG APPLICATION IS OPEN. PLEASE ENSURE YOU HAVE READ AND ARE FAMILIAR WITH OUR ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.
We will accept applications on a rolling basis from January 22, 2025 – November 7, 2025. Once all Build Strong dollars have been allocated, applications will not be considered for the remainder of the year. We encourage you to apply early.
If you are a successful applicant, you will be required to provide impact data metrics via a reporting survey that TC Energy will send you within one year of being awarded your funds.
Remember to print or save your completed application as a PDF.
Please apply here if you are an Indigenous group, or your application will benefit more than 75 per cent Indigenous peoples. To see if your initiative is a fit, visit the Indigenous Community Legacy page.
Questions?
Email build_strong@tcenergy.com to connect with the Social Impact team.
