Community Foundation names grant recipients
By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on May 16, 2024.
LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com More than 40 organizations in southwestern Alberta will share nearly half a million dollars in grant money, thanks to a local charitable organization.The Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta doled out just over $437,000 Wednesday during a grant ceremony at its Lethbridge office. And while the largest single grant amount of $25,000 was awarded to Careers: The Next Generation Foundation in the M.D. of Taber, even smaller grants have a huge impact.
“For some of these recipients it’s such a game changer,” said Charleen Davidson, executive director of Community Foundation. “It’s so important for them to see this money coming to their community to support their initiatives and their projects.
“These are people who are passionate about their community and they’re trying to make their community a better place, and there’s never enough money, so for us to be able to give them a little bit of money to take them over the finish line or get them started on a project, is really important. It makes a great difference.”
Davidson said the grants are provided through two sources; the Community Priorities Fund and Henry S. Varley Fund for Rural Life, both of which are supported by donations.
“All of the money comes from donors. We are very fortunate to have so many generous donors supporting our work.”
Davidson said the donations are invested and are in an endowment fund, the income of which enables the foundation to provide annual grants.
With the grants awarded Wednesday, the Foundation has awarded more than $800,000 so far this year, and it still has its fall grant applications coming up.
“I just want to acknowledge our donors, because we wouldn’t be here without our donors,” Davidson told grant recipients. “We now have over 40 million dollars invested, and we are granting consistently over a million dollars a year.”
Following is a list of recipients:
Community Priorities Fund Grant Recipients
• Adaptable Outdoor Recreation Society – Pincher Creek, $15,000 ($2,900 from a Field of Interest Fund and $1,000 from LADA): Funding will be used to purchase a vehicle to pull a trailer for adaptive program equipment.
• Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge – Lethbridge Shakespeare Performance Society, $6,000 ($725 from a Field of Interest Fund): Funding will be used to upgrade the current sound system with outdoor speakers, body microphones, and a new laptop.
• Cardston County – Del Bonita Country Association, $15,000 ($1,000 from LADA): Funding will be used to renovate a storage closet into a barrier free washroom.
• Carmangay Community Centre Association, $10,000: Funding will be used to add a lean-to structure to the community hall’s storage room for additional space.
• Claresholm and District Transportation Society, $15,000 from a Field of Interest Fund: Funding will be used to purchase an additional wheelchair accessible vehicle.
• Claresholm Community Centre Association, $10,000: Funding will be used to help renovate the kitchen in the Lodge Room Hall.
• County of Warner – Wrentham Community Centre, $9,450 ($700 from a Field of Interest Fund and $500 from LADA): Funding will be used to renovate the Community Centre entryway and access point to the curling rink.
• Crowsnest Historical Society, $10,000: Funding will be used to renovate an existing storage building into a fully functional museum storage space.
• Crowsnest Nordic Ski Club, $5,000 from a Field of Interest Fund: Funding will be used to purchase youth ski equipment to help the club grow its ski loan program.
• F. P. Walshe Fund Raising Program — F. P. Walshe School – Fort Macleod, $7,000: Funding will be used to help build an accessible, outdoor stage, and learning space.
• Family Centre Society of Southern Alberta – Lethbridge, $5,000: Funding will be used to purchase equipment for a new program catering to children aged three to six years.
• Fort Macleod and District Allied Arts Council, $5,890: Funding will be used to create a new art gallery and storefront space to showcase local artists.
• Kinsmen Club of Coaldale, $15,000 ($9,575 from Field of Interest Funds and $500 from LADA): Funding will be used to help rebuild the All-Wheel Skatepark in Coaldale.
• Lethbridge Family Services, $10,000: Funding will be used to help pilot a weekly group for newcomer girls, aged 10 to 18, allowing them to connect in a safe environment.
• Lethbridge School Division – Wilson Middle School, $10,000 ($600 from a Field of Interest Fund and $500 from LADA): Funding will be used to purchase stage lighting for student theatre productions.
• Lethbridge School Division – Winston Churchill High School, $5,000: Funding will be used to build a community garden.
• Lethbridge School Division – Lakeview Elementary School, $3,500 ($500 from LADA): Funding will be used to purchase new audio visual equipment.
• Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization, $10,000 ($500 from LADA): Funding will be used to purchase easy to use audio visual equipment.
• Lethbridge Symphony Association, $10,000 ($9,000 from a Field of Interest Fund and $1,000 from LADA): Funding will be used to update and reupholster the chairs of the orchestra musicians.
• Livingstone Range School Division – Canyon School – Pincher Creek, $5,000: Funding will be used to install a permanent gazebo.
• M.D. of Taber – Enchant Community Library, $3,385: Funding will be used to repair and repaint siding and to fix the door.
• M.D. of Willow Creek – M.D. of Willow Creek Library Board – Granum, $14,000: Funding will be used to renovate the front room of the building into a functional multi-use space.
• Municipality of Crowsnest Pass – Southwest Alberta Skateboard Society – Coleman, $10,000: Funding will be used to design a new skateboard park.
New West Theatre Society – Lethbridge, $10,000 ($500 from LADA):
Funding will be used for upgrades and additions to existing audio visual equipment.
• Nord-Bridge Senior Citizens Association – Lethbridge, $15,000 ($3,700 from a Field of Interest Fund and $500 from LADA): Funding will be used to update dining room equipment.
• Palliser School Division – Coalhurst High School, $4,250: Funding will be used to purchase tables that can also be used by the school and for community gatherings.
• Shinah House Foundation – Fort Macleod, $14,000 ($9,000 from a Field of Interest Fund): Funding will be used to build and furnish a sensory room for residents.
• Southern Alberta Art Gallery Association – Lethbridge, $10,000: Funding will be used to collaborate with Blackfoot artists and Elders on a video that shares their art as a form of land acknowledgement.
• Southern Alberta Self Help Association – Lethbridge, $7,500 ($500 from LADA): Funding will be used to renovate a group home, making it safe and functional for clients.
• Town of Magrath – The Magrath and District Recreation Committee, $10,000: Funding will be used to install field lights at the community sports field.
• Town of Claresholm – Claresholm Lions Club, $10,000: Funding will be used to purchase a swing set at Centennial Park in Claresholm.
• Vauxhall Public Library, $5,000: Funding will be used to purchase new computers and replace the outdated ones.
• Village of Coutts – Coutts Fire and Rescue, $15,000 ($500 from LADA): Funding will be used to replace equipment that is outdated and unsafe.
• Vulcan Healthcare Auxiliary – Vulcan Community Health Centre and Extendicare, $5,000: Funding will be used to build a wheelchair accessible garden bed for residents.
• Womanspace Resource Centre Society, $4,900 ($3,400 from Field of Interest Funds):
Funding will be used to replace an outdated computer and upgrade office furniture.
YWCA Lethbridge and District, $14,600 ($500 from LADA): Funding will be used to upgrade exterior and front entry lighting.
• Vulcan County, $14,950: Henry S. Varley Fund for Rural Life Grant Recipients: Funding will be used to help investigate the location of unmarked graves and complete cemetery profiles.
• Town of Coaldale – Southern Alberta Kanadiers Association, $5,000: Funding will be used to host workshops for rural Low German-Speaking Mennonite women, teaching them the importance of self-care and mental health awareness.
• Inclusion Foothills Association – Vulcan, $6,500 from a Field of Interest Fund: Funding will be used to add a staff member to help expand services offered in Vulcan.
• Wild Rose Community Connections – Claresholm, $12,000 from a Field of Interest Fund: Funding will be used to bolster programming for seniors facing isolation, loneliness, and food insecurity, due to geographic challenges.
• Town of Fort Macleod — Rural Development Network & Fort Macleod FCSS, $20,000: Funding will be used to gather and analyze rural-specific homelessness data, as well as produce strategies to address rural housing insecurity.
• Careers: The Next Generation Foundation – M.D. of Taber, $25,000: Funding will be used to add the position of Program Coordinator to rural Southwestern Alberta.
• Bridges of Hope – EPIC Youth Services, Cardston, $20,000: Funding will be used plan and execute free community programs to adults and youth in Cardston and the Blood Tribe area. 3
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