The Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta is accepting applications to both the Community Priorities Fund and the Henry S. Varley Fund for Rural Life.
“It really is an honour for us to be able to support the community through these two programs,” foundation executive director Charleen Davidson said.
The Community Priorities Fund is the foundation’s largest granting initiative.
Established in 1966, this fund will award $550,000 this year to support the important work of the local charitable sector through two separate intakes.
Primarily, this granting program supports one-time costs of construction, renovation, or equipment purchases, in an effort to help improve an organization’s operational capacity.
The Henry S. Varley Fund for Rural life was established through a bequest of Pincher Creek area rancher Bill Long to honour his uncle Henry Varley and the family’s ranching heritage.
This fund provides support to community organizations that work to sustain a high quality of life in southwestern Alberta’s rural communities.
It provides grants to projects in the areas of innovation, community collaboration, education and training.
Through two intakes, this fund will award $282,000 this year.
The application deadline for both programs is 4 p.m. Oct. 15.
“Southwestern Alberta is extremely fortunate to have so many caring and committed individuals working hard to help build a healthy community,” Davidson said. “All of us at the community foundation are proud to be able to play a role in their work. We thank our many donors, because it is their continued generosity that makes all of this possible.”
Through its various grants programs, and the continued support of its generous donors, the community foundation anticipates granting more than $1.5 million in grants across southwestern Alberta in 2024.
Anyone interested in applying for a grant must contact community foundation grants co-ordinator Caitlin Gajdostik at 403-328-5297 or grants@cflsa.ca.
Gajdostik is available to answer questions regarding the application process, and will host a free information session via Zoom at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18.
To register for this session e-mail grants@cflsa.ca. The Zoom link will be shared upon registration confirmation.
In order to apply, applicants must be a CRA-recognized qualified donee, or apply in partnership with a qualified donee, including a municipality, school district or CRA registered charity.
All applications must be submitted through the community foundation’s on-line application platform, which is available at www.cflsa.ca/grants.
