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The Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta has announced $374,140 in grants. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

$374K to support dozens of southern Alberta non-profits

Dec 9, 2024 | 9:13 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – A total of 30 organizations in the region are getting financial support for various initiatives.

The Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta has announced the recipients of its Community Priorities Fund and Henry S. Varley Fund for Rural Life.

Between the two funds, $372,140 will go to 30 projects.

Community Foundation Executive Director Charleen Davidson says these grants represent the culmination of their work this year.

“Along with all of our other grants programs, we have supported the community of Southwestern Alberta with over $1.6 million this year, which is both exciting and humbling for us,” says Davidson. “We are proud to be able to support the many wonderful projects that are taking place across our region, and we remain grateful to the ongoing generosity of our donors, because it is their generosity that makes our work possible.”

There is a three-way tie for the biggest grant as $30,000 each will go to the Friends of Taber Literary Association, Taber Safe Haven Women’s Shelter Society, and the Vulcan Regional Food Bank Society.

The full list of funding recipients is as follows:

Community Priorities Fund Grant Recipients

  • Canadian Grain Elevator Discovery Centre, Nanton, $12,000:
    • Funding will be used to create and install a pathway, boardwalk, stairs, and handrail access in the Rail Lands Restoration area.
  • Claresholm Animal Rescue Society, $3,540 (From a Field of Interest Fund):
    • Funding will be used to purchase new dog beds, as well as expand outdoor fencing.
  • Great Canadian Plains Railway Society, County of Warner, $10,000:
    • Funding will be used to replace the 100-year-old windows in the train station with energy efficient but period-correct ones.
  • Inclusion Lethbridge Association, $8,500:
    • Funding will be used to deliver programming for individuals with developmental disabilities looking to improve their financial wellbeing through one-on-one coaching and group education sessions.
  • Lethbridge and Area Metis Association, $7,500:
    • Funding will be used to purchase new computers, desks, and develop office storage.
  • Lethbridge and District Music and Speech Arts Festival Society, $7,400 ($600 from a Field of Interest Fund):
    • Funding will be used to purchase microphones, music stands, and new office furniture.
  • Lethbridge and Region Community Housing Corporation, $15,000:
    • Funding will be used to furnish a 30-bed, supportive housing facility that will help participants exit homelessness and live in recovery.
  • Lethbridge School Division, General Stewart Elementary School, $5,000: ($3,100 from a Field of Interest Fund)
    • Funding will be used to purchase equipment for a new sensory room.
  • Lethbridge School Division, West Coulee Station Parents’ Society, $10,000 (from a Field of Interest Fund):
    • Funding will be used to help with the construction of an inclusive playground.
  • Municipal District of Taber, Vauxhall Agricultural Society, $15,000:
    • Funding will be used to build a shelter to both store protect the arena tractor and serve as a meeting place for events.
  • Opokaa’sin Early Intervention Society, Lethbridge, $10,000 ($1,600 from a Field of Interest Fund):
    • Funding will be used to extend and install protective fencing around the facility and children’s outdoor playground.
  • Southwest Alberta Regional Search and Rescue Association, Crowsnest Pass, $15,000:
    • Funding will be used to purchase two snowmobiles and a covered trailer to assist in search and rescue missions.
  • Pincher Creek Community Centre Hall Society, $4,500:
    • Funding will be used to upgrade the Community Hall washrooms with new toilets and light fixtures.
  • Town of Milk River Library Board, $7,700:
    • Funding will be used to purchase new computers for both employees and members of the general public.
  • Town of Pincher Creek, Pincher Creek Recreation, Parks, and Culture, $15,000:
    • Funding will be used to purchase equipment that helps convert the town’s ice arena into a multipurpose indoor sports facility during the off-season.
  • Town of Pincher Creek, Pincher Creek Legion #43, $10,000:
    • Funding will be used to help purchase a bariatric wheelchair washer to sanitize equipment for the community’s new equipment loan program.
  • Town of Taber, Taber recreation and Culture, $15,000:
    • Funding will be used to build a picnic shelter at the Taber Trout Pond recreation area.
  • Town of Vulcan, Town of Vulcan Recreation, $20,000: (from a Field of Interest Fund)
    • Funding will be used to build new bleachers for the town’s public baseball diamonds.
  • Village of Barnwell, Village of Barnwell Library Board, $6,500:
    • Funding will be used to purchase furniture and decorations to create a Kids Corner in the library.
  • Village of Stirling, Stirling Historical Society, $10,000:
    • Funding will be used to purchase event tents and picnic tables to expand community events, as well as support local groups wanting to borrow the equipment.
  • Vulcan Senior Citizen Centre, $9,000 ($3,500 from a Field of Interest Fund):
    • Funding will be used to help with the paving of the parking lot to increase accessibility for visitors.
  • Westwind School Division, Cardston Junior High School, $7,500:
    • Funding will be used to purchase outdoor picnic tables for the students to use at lunchtime.
  • Wood’s Homes, Lethbridge, $15,000 (from a Field of Interest Fund):
    • Funding will be used to convert storage space into a recreation hub with exercise equipment, games, and seating for youth living in the facility.

Henry S. Varley Fund for Rural Life Grant Recipients

  • Friends of Taber Literacy Association, $30,000:
    • Funding will be used to increase staffing to help close service gaps in Taber and area for those requiring assistance navigating Government supports.
  • MD of Willow Creek, Granum and District Historical Society, $15,000:
    • Funding will be used to purchase video and audio equipment that will be used to capture interviews with locals telling the history and stories of the community.
  • Stitch It Forward Society, Lethbridge, $12,500:
    • Funding will be used to hire a part-time staff member focused on developing and supporting rural quilting and sewing organizations.
  • Taber Safe Haven Women’s Shelter Society, $30,000:
    • Funding will be used to hire a new Community Advocate position who will provide essential support to woman and children fleeing abuse, including helping to secure housing, employment, and legal assistance.
  • Town of Nanton, Nanton Quality of Life Foundation and Nanton Thelma Fanning Public Library, $7,500:
    • Funding will be used to help launch a program that will connect seniors and youth through skill-sharing and technology training to enhance intergenerational understanding.
  • Town of Stavely, Stavely and District FCSS $10,000:
    • Funding will be used to host life skill workshops and hands-on projects for youth in Stavely.
  • Town of Vulcan, Vulcan Regional Food Bank Society, $30,000:
    • Funding will be used to help expand food bank operations to include a food rescue and a community pop up element to their services.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now

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