Call for Volunteers: Free to Play

The Organization 

ECF is committed to building a vibrant community and enriching the lives of all. We do this, in part, by providing more than $35 million in grants and student awards each year, thanks to the generous support of thousands of donors. As the largest non-governmental funder of the charitable sector in our city, ECF is uniquely positioned to address long-term, complex community needs by working with donors, charities, volunteers, government and community partners.

The Opportunity 

ECF is looking for volunteers to join our Free to Play Review Committee for a one-month term. 

As a Free to Play Review Committee volunteer, you’ll play a key role in supporting local organizations by reviewing grant applications and offering thoughtful funding recommendations. 

We’re committed to building diverse and balanced committees that reflect the rich makeup of the Greater Edmonton Area, including urban and rural communities in Leduc, Parkland, Strathcona and Sturgeon County. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of racialized, linguistic, ethnic, 2SLGBTQIA+ and gender-diverse communities.  

Learn more about the national Free to Play Grant Program and ECF’s role. 

Applications are due February 15, 2026. 

Commitment: 

As a Free to Play Review Committee volunteer, you will be asked to: 

• Review applications during a three-week review period in February and March. During this time, you will review 20-30 applications and provide written feedback and rankings prior to the scheduled review meeting. The application review is expected to take 10-15 hours. 

• Participate in a funding recommendation meeting, held at the Edmonton Community Foundation office on Friday, March 27, from 12:00-2:30pm. This meeting focuses on developing funding recommendations for final approval by Community Foundations of Canada, the Free to Play program organizer. 

• Understand the decision-making process. Most applications will not be approved, and while declining requests can be challenging, it is an important responsibility of the committee. 

• Engage in training and reflection. You will attend a volunteer training session to learn about Free to Play and participate in a debrief at the end of the term to reflect on your volunteer experience and suggest improvements for the program. 

• An honorarium of $450 will be made available to all volunteers who fully participate in this review process. 

Candidates: 

We are seeking 9–12 new members for this committee. The following qualities are considered assets: 

• Knowledge and Experience in one or more of these areas: 

• Child development, play-based learning, or early childhood education 

• Nature-based programs, outdoor recreation, or land-based learning 

• Equity and inclusion, including systemic barriers that limit access to outdoor play 

• Community engagement and family-led initiatives 

• Mental health and well-being for children and youth 

• Ability to commit 15 – 20 hours, including 10 – 15 hours for application reviews, 2.5 hours for volunteer training and a 2.5 review meeting. Passion for making a difference and learning about local initiatives 

• Commitment to valuing diversity and fostering a welcoming environment for all voices 

• Comfortable making thoughtful decisions when there isn’t one “right” answer 

• Understand and uphold confidentiality in the decision-making process 

• Open to staying connected with ECF’s community by attending the occasional events and informal gatherings. 

How to Apply:

Send a cover letter and resume by email to grants@ecf.ca . Your application should clearly state how you can contribute to the work of the committee. 

Applications are due February 15, 2026 at 4pm MST.