Community Foundation of Lethbridge + Southwestern Alberta. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Southern Alberta groups share $460K in grants

May 20, 2022 | 12:16 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – 42 organizations across Southern Alberta are receiving funding for a variety of initiatives.

Over $460,000 is being dolled out between a few different funding streams.

Charleen Davidson, Executive Director of the Community Foundation of Lethbridge + Southwestern Alberta, says she is always excited to support the community through their granting programs.

“This year, we received several applications that create new or improve existing community spaces, and foster inclusion and accessibility. It’s an honour for us to support this important work because it all helps build the vitality of our community.”

The largest grant, through the Henry S. Varley Fund for Rural Life, will go to the Lethbridge Therapeutic Riding Association.

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They will use $29,000 for the second phase of the “Horses in the Window” program, which brings horse therapy to facilities across Southern Alberta.

The full list of grant recipients, as provided by the Community Foundation, can be found below:

Community Priorities Grant Recipients, Spring – 2022

• Boys & Girls Clubs of the Foothills, Nanton, $15,000: Funding will be used to purchase a gently used passenger bus for transporting children/youth who are accessing programs and services.
• Claresholm Community Centre Association, $12,825 ($8,655 from a Field of Interest fund): Funding will be used to replace two access doors.
• Crowsnest Nordic Ski Club, Coleman, $10,000: Funding will be used to purchase equipment to groom the trails in the winter and maintain them in the summer.
• Fort Macleod and District Allied Arts Council Association, $4,750: Funding will be used to purchase two new computers and software to update outdated machines.
• Group Group Youth Society of Pincher Creek, $8,000: Funding will be used to replace old flooring in multiple rooms of the youth drop-in centre.
• Holy Spirit Catholic School Division, St. Francis Junior High School, Lethbridge, $4,300: Funding will be used to purchase instruments to establish a Brazilian percussion ensemble at the school.
• Lethbridge and District Horticultural Society, $8,000: Funding will be used to install a drip irrigation system to provide water to plants in a number of Legacy Garden beds.
• Lethbridge County, Shaughnessy Community Association, $15,000: Funding will be used to replace the community hall’s seventy-year-old boiler.
• Lethbridge School Division, Galbraith Elementary School, Lethbridge, $8,000: Funding will be used to build an engaging outdoor learning space connected to Indigenous ways of knowing.
• Lethbridge Symphony Association, $15,000 ($7,000 from a Field of Interest fund): Funding will be used to improve the lighting for performers, and provide projectors for a sustainable, paper-free experience for patrons.
• Lethbridge Therapeutic Riding Association, $7,500: Funding will be used to restore and repair the historic Red Barn and Grain Elevator.
• M.D. of Pincher Creek #9, Lundbreck Citizens Council, $15,000: Funding will be used to repair and stabilize the 100 year-old community hall.
• M.D. of Willow Creek #26 Library Board, Granum, $15,000: Funding will be used to renovate the exterior of the building.
• Mikaisto Foundation, Red Crow College, Standoff, $15,000: Funding will be used to purchase a water trailer for the Working Farm Program at Red Crow College.
• Municipality of the Crowsnest Pass, Bellecrest Community Association, Bellevue, $15,000: Funding will be used to install power and provide all necessary lighting and audio-visual needs for the outdoor stage.
• New West Theatre Society, Lethbridge, $8,000 ($500 from a Field of Interest fund): Funding will be used to purchase audio equipment required to bring New West Theatre’s live performances to life.
• Nordbridge Senior Citizens Association, Lethbridge, $10,000 ($2,500 from a Field of Interest fund): Funding will be used to upgrade IT hardware and software throughout the building.
• Southern Alberta Community Living Association, Lethbridge, $15,000 (from a Field of Interest fund): Funding will be used to create a space that any individual or community organization can rent to host a meeting or event.
• Southern Alcare Society and Industries, Lethbridge, $10,000: Funding will be used to upgrade windows and doors for the safety of Southern Alcare Manor.
• Southern Alberta Sustainable Community Initiative, Adaptable Outdoor Recreation Society, Pincher Creek, $15,000 ($2,100 from a Field of Interest fund): Funding will be used to purchase a trailer to increase the ability to store and transport equipment.
• STARS, Regional, $15,000: Funding will be used to purchase three Ultrasound units used in flights to and from Southwestern Alberta.
• The Southern Alberta Self Help Association, Lethbridge, $13,400: Funding will be used for information technology upgrades and training to facilitate program expansion.
• Southern Alberta Art Gallery Association, Lethbridge, $11,000: Funding will be used to replace obsolete digital tools and purchase new computers and cameras.
• Town of Cardston, Cardston Seniors Centre, $2,000: Funding will be used to replace two aging stoves in the kitchen of the Cardston Seniors Centre.
• Town of Raymond, Free Pantry Society of Raymond, $13,150 ($500 from a Field of Interest fund): Funding will be used to construct an insulated and heated shed that will be used to distribute free food and toiletries to those in need.
• Town of Taber, Taber Legion Branch 20, $5,500: Funding will be used for the installation of electronic equipment to update and improve the technology of the Taber Legion Hall.
• Town of Taber, Taber Public Library, $5,000: Funding will be used to enhance the children’s and teen area with new equipment and furniture that will create a fun, educational, and comfortable space for the community.
• Town of Vulcan, $15,000 ($13,000 from a Field of Interest fund): Funding will be used to create two multi-purpose outdoor sport courts where the community can gather and stay active.
• Village of Arrowwood, Arrowwood Community Recreating Association, $8,000: Funding will be used to renovate and repurpose the community hall to create a community fitness area.
• Village of Glenwood, $15,000: Funding will be used to renovate the sport facility for year round activities.
• Vulcan County, Vulcan Health and Wellness Foundation, $5,000 ($2,600 from a Field of Interest fund): Funding will be used to purchase high quality CPR equipment for the Volunteer Fire Departments in Vulcan County.
• Westwind School Division #74, Spring Glen Junior High School, Hill Spring, $9,500: Funding will be used to establish an early trades program and for the purchase of carpentry equipment.
• Womanspace Resource Centre, Lethbridge, $15,000 ($7,500 from various Field of Interest funds): Funding will be used to establish a financial literacy workshop pilot project that complements existing services supporting women of low income.
• YWCA Lethbridge and District, $13,100: Funding will be used to repair and replace flooring and old locks in the women’s residence.

Henry S. Varley Fund for Rural Life Grant Recipients, Spring – 2022

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lethbridge and District, $10,000: Funding will be used to expand the reach of mentoring programs to children and youth in rural communities including, Barons, Barnwell, Carmangay, Iron Springs, Nobleford, and Picture Butte.
• Lethbridge Therapeutic Riding Association, $29,000: Funding will be used for the second phase of the “Horses in the Window” program, which brings horse therapy to facilities across Southern Alberta. The program is aimed at helping the most vulnerable citizens, including seniors and individuals experiencing mental health and addiction struggles.
• Palliser Regional School Division, Coalhurst Partnership Association for Literacy, $11,000: Funding will be used to collaborate with community members, school staff, and high school students to promote and increase literacy by mentoring and encouraging young readers in Coalhurst.
• Friends of the Claresholm and District Museum Society, $7,345 (from a Field of Interest fund): Funding will be used to provide equipment and training to volunteers so that they can scan and digitally store the museum’s historic photograph collection, which will improve public access to the images.
• Livingstone Range School Division, Livingstone Ski Academy/Livingstone School, Lundbreck, $6,000: Funding will be used to provide students with relevant training courses and employable skills that they can use working on a ski hill.
• Town of Taber, $10,000: Funding will be used for the “Taber Talks: A History of Taber and its Citizens” project, which will film interviews with local veterans in the MD of Taber, explore their sacrifices, and preserve them for the community.
• Bridges of Hope, EPIC Youth Services, Cardston, $10,000: Funding will be used to expand the after school and weekend programs for youth in Cardston, Cardston County, and Kainai Nation.
• Palliser Regional School Division, Picture Butte High School, $6,000: Funding will be used to innovate the Farm Education program and create an economical farm-to-table program for students.

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