By Lara Fominoff @fomsy1 on Twitter

Dozens of community projects boosting women’s safety, economic security and leadership awarded grants

Apr 25, 2017 | 1:05 PM

EDMONTON – Grants ranging from $3,000 to $100,000 will be awarded to 34 not for profit organizations across Alberta, after a call from the Provincial Government for applications last November.
 
Status of Women Minster Stephanie McLean says the province actually received 270 applications totalling $14 million. Originally, the province had allotted $500,000, but tripled the funding to $1.5 million after seeing the huge demand.
 
“They’re supporting survivors of gender-based violence and teaching Albertans how to ask and give consent. They are helping women gain skills to build successful businesses and they are helping women get engaged in the political process. These organizations are dedicated, innovative and often need a few extra dollars to get that work done.”
 
All of the recipients she says, had to adhere to a certain set of guidelines in order to be considered for funding, including empowering more girls to play sports, offering leadership training to girls and teens, supporting women in the technology sector,addressing challenges of women entering the agricultural industry, supporting domestic violence survivors, and providing skills training for immigrant and Indigenous women.
 
One of the biggest recpients will be Alberta Women Entrepreneurs, for their “NextStep to Success” training and peer mentoring program that helps Indigenous women start their businesses.
 
McLean says nearly 40 percent of businesses in Alberta are either owned by women, or have women as their leaders.
 
There will be another call for grant applications in the coming months.