Fort Macleod received a $6,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta for the 2026 Winter Festival in November.
Fort Macleod and area organizations shared in $589,080 in grants awarded Thursday by the Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta.
The grants were announced Thursday during news conference at CASA in Lethbridge.
“We’re especially excited for this year’s spring grants celebration,” community foundation executive director Charleen Davidson said. “In part, because we were able to fund the bulk of the applications that we received but also because we’re supporting our community with our Diamond Anniversary Grants for events that will celebrate community and the work we have done and will continue to do across the region.”
The Fort Macleod Historical Association received $8,000 for a project that will have Blackfoot elders record oral histories, language teachings, and cultural stories to create interactive listening stations and traditional learning activities.
The Town of Fort Macleod received $6,000 for the annual Winter Festival on Nov. 27.
Heritage Acres Farm Museum received $6,000 for its diamond anniversary community barn dance on July 24.
The MD of Willow Creek received $6,000 for a time capsule as part of Granum Canada Day celebrations.
The grants were all from the foundation’s one-time Diamond Anniversary Grants program, launched as part of its 60th anniversary celebrations.
In total, $589,080 was awarded to charitable organizations across the region from the foundation’s Community Priorities Fund, Henry S. Varley Fund for Rural Life, and multiple field of interest funds.
Other area grant recipients included:
- Canadian Grain Elevator Discovery Centre, Nanton, $8,000 to stabilize and upgrade the floor of the Pioneer Elevator.
- Cardston and District Public Library Board, $10,000 to replace worn and outdated furniture.
- Cardston County, Leavitt Community Association, $5,000 to build an outdoor pavilion cooking shack.
- Cardston Handibus Association $15,000 to help buy a new handibus.
- Claresholm Animal Rescue Society, $15,000 to replace the shelter floor.
- Claresholm Community Centre Association, $15,000 to replace the ceiling tiles, lighting, and flooring in the main hall commercial kitchen.
- Crowsnest Pass Food Bank Society, $11,000 to replace the damaged irrigation system in the community garden and buy soil for raised garden beds.
- Great Canadian Plains Railway Society, County of Warner, $10,185 to replace the 100-year-old windows in the train station.
- Kainai Food Bank Society, $15,000 to repair the walk-in freezer and refrigerator and replace storage shelves.
- MD of Willow Creek, Granum Library, $15,000 to upgrade the HVAC system and the building’s electrical service.
- Pincher Creek and District Historical Society, $15,000 to replace aged entry doors with ones that are more accessible.
- Pincher Creek Humane Society, $10,000 to construct a dog agility run for community members to train their dogs.
- Prairie Tractor and Engine Museum Society, Picture Butte, $10,000 to construct three additional washroom spaces, including an accessible washroom.
- Southwestern Alberta Regional Search and Rescue Association, Pincher Creek, $15,000 to buy an additional side-by-side vehicle and a trailer to assist with rescue efforts.
- Stavely Community Centre, $15,000 to replace flooring and countertops in the building’s community kitchen.
- Town of Magrath, Garden City Senior Citizens Association, $15,000 to replace the existing entry with a barrier free, wheelchair accessible door system.
- Village of Cowley, Cowley and District Community Hall, $15,000 to upgrade the kitchen by moving cabinets, replacing countertops, and installing LED lights.
