The Community Foundation of Lethbridge + Southwestern Alberta has announced its latest grant funding recipients. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Southern Alberta groups receive over $500K from Community Foundation

Dec 4, 2025 | 1:01 PM

The Community Foundation of Lethbridge + Southwestern Alberta has announced its latest big batch of funding recipients.

Executive Director Charlene Davidson says you cannot put a price tag on the impact that these grants make for everyone who lives in the region.

“Whether it’s funding for youth centres, portable sound systems, building renovations, or food banks, every grant makes a difference,” says Davidson. “For example, last year we heard from one rural Food Bank that because of our grant, they were going to be able to add real hams to their Christmas hampers instead of canned meat. Comments like this remind that simple acts of generosity change the world.”

Between three different funds, a total of $528,795 will go to 82 groups and projects.

The biggest single grant went to the Careers: The Next Generation Foundation. They will use $25,000 for the second phase of a project to engage youth in work-integrated learning.

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The full list of grant recipients is shown below:

Community Priorities Fund Grant Recipients

Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation, Coaldale, $15,000:

Funding will be used for renovations to improve acoustics in a presentation room and to help create a new on-site office.

Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge $12,000:

Funding will be used to purchase a shared PA system that local artists and arts organizations can borrow, free of charge, to reduce their performance costs.

Boys and Girls Clubs of Southern Alberta, Coaldale, $10,000 ($1,800 from Field of Interest Fund):

Funding will be used to purchase and install a playground shade structure to protect children from excessive heat and UV rays during outdoor play time.

Bridges of Hope, EPIC Youth Services, Cardston, $15,000 ($4,890 from Field of Interest Fund):

Funding will be used to upgrade Audio/Visual technology used for programs at the at-risk youth drop-in centre.

Claresholm Social Centre, $8,470 (from Field of Interest Fund):

Funding will be used to update the paint in the Centre’s main hall.

County of Warner No. 5, Tri-Community Childcare Society, Warner, $15,000 ($400 from a Field of Interest Fund):

Funding will be used to renovate space in Warner for a licensed daycare and after-hours multi-purpose centre to provide safe, inclusive, and accessible care for children.

Fort Macleod Historical Association, $9,000:

Funding will be used to replace old flooring and install automatic door openers to make the Museum and Art Gallery more accessible.

Friends of the Helen Schuler Nature Centre Society, Lethbridge, $6,000:

Funding will be used to produce a new, complimentary Kid’s Map of Lethbridge that highlights activities for families to do in the area.

Gem of the West Museum Society, Coaldale, $2,500:

Funding will be used to create a permanent, interactive barbershop exhibit.

Kidsport Lethbridge & Taber, Lethbridge Sport Council, $15,000 (from Field of Interest Fund):

Funding will help create the new “Sport Bank,” a space where families can access free, properly fitted sports equipment and clothing to help remove cost as a barrier for youth sport.

Lethbridge School Division, Fleetwood – Bawden Elementary School, Lethbridge, $10,000 ($650 from a Field of Interest Fund):

Funding will be used to replace the school’s outdated playground with a safe, accessible play space.

MD of Pincher Creek, Hamlet Water Committee and Lundbreck Gardeners, Beaver Mines andLundbreck, $7,500:

Funding will be used to update community garden spaces with drought resistant materials.

Mountain Bluebird Trails Conservation Society, Lethbridge, $3,720 (from a Field of Interest Fund):

Funding will be used to replace 180 aging bluebird nest boxes, ensuring safe nesting sites.

Pincher Creek Community Food Centre, $3,400:

Funding will be used to purchase a generator to mitigate the risk of losing food items in the event of a power failure.

Southern Alberta Ethnic Association, Lethbridge, $15,000:

Funding will be used to purchase new glassless mirrors for dance groups using the Multicultural Centre.

Taber and District Museum Society, $10,000:

Funding will be used to upgrade shelving and storage systems to better preserve artifacts and improve organization for volunteers and visitors.

The Cat’s Sass Rescue, Coalhurst, $15,000 (from a Field of Interest Fund):

Funding will be used to upgrade the “Catty Shack,” increasing the shelter’s capacity and allowing for an additional ten cats.

The Nobleford Oldtimers Association, $15,000:

Funding will be used to upgrade washrooms at the Senior Centre, including the addition of one that is wheelchair accessible.

SACE Aspire Foundation, BIPOC Foundation, $15,000 (from a Field of Interest Fund):

Funding will be used to purchase equipment for a creative studio that gives youth and local artists access to media tools, mentorship, and programs that help them share their stories.

Town of Magrath, Magrath Centennial Society for the Cultural Arts, $13,000:

Funding will be used towards the construction of an extension to the existing storage garage, which stores props, costumes, and miscellaneous bits for the Society.

Town of Nanton, Nanton Community Centre, $7,500:

Funding will be used to replace outdated mismatched dishes with commercial-grade glassware, serving bowls, and cookware.

Town of Nobleford, Nobleford Park and Recreation Society, $7,500:

Funding will be used to replace damaged and worn historical signs and to add additional signs with new information.

Town of Picture Butte, Walk on the Wild Side Society, $5,000:

Funding will be used to build stairs to the recreational path, creating better accessibility for the community.

Town of Taber, Trail 77 Singletrack Association, $11,000:

Funding will be used to build a new mountain bike feature in Taber’s community trail network.

Town of Taber, Taber Legion, $5,000:

Funding will be used to replace outdated chairs at the Taber Legion Hall with safe, comfortable, and durable seating for community members.

Town of Taber, Society for Taber Arts and Recreation, $12,375 ($725 from Field of Interest Fund):

Funding will be used to purchase furnishings and supplies for the opening of the performing arts community centre.

Village of Barnwell, Barnwell Plus 55 Club, $15,000:

Funding will be used to replace the roof of the “Barnwell Plus 55 Club.”

Wellspring Alberta, Lethbridge, $4,600:

Funding will be used to purchase supplies for the expansion of a weekly in-person yoga pilot program for people battling cancer.

Henry S. Varley Fund for Rural Life Grant Recipients

Careers: The Next Generation Foundation, $25,000:

Funding will be used for the second phase of the “Building Capacity to engage youth in Work-Integrated Learning” project by supporting the Program Coordinator, who will further relationship building and create program sustainability.

Farm Safety Centre, Raymond, $11,000:

Funding will be used to create programming that brings older adults and youth together for simple, hands-on tech lessons, helping seniors better understand mobile phones, how to access services, and how to avoid scams.

Group Group Youth Society, Pincher Creek, $20,000:

Funding will be used to hire a new Program Director to revitalize, manage, and refresh programming for at-risk youth to learn skills they can use in the workplace and future lives.

Lethbridge and Area Metis Association, $16,000:

Funding will be used to interview, record, and store information from Elders and Knowledge Keepers, capturing their oral history and traditions of the Metis in Southern Alberta.

Nanton and District Animal Protection Society, $5,800:

Funding will be used to support the new “Kitties for Seniors” program, which brings together rescue animals and seniors to provide connection and companionship, while exposing the animals to more people in hopes of increasing adoption rates.

Oldman River Antique Equipment and Threshing Club, Heritage Acres Farm Museum, MD of Pincher Creek, $12,000:

Funding will be used to help launch “Engines of Belonging,” a hands-on safety program that will train youth to safely operate farm equipment and engage them in the restoration work of equipment at the museum.

Prairie Winds Clubhouse, Claresholm, $18,430:

Funding will be used to expand programming with a new workshop to empower those living with mental illness through crafting, baking, woodworking, and product packaging.

Village of Barons, Southern Alberta Kanadiers Association, $4,000:

Funding will be used to develop and deliver a culturally sensitive, mental health workshop for Low German Mennonite women that aims to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and provide practical tools to improve mental well-being.

Food Bank Grant Recipients

Claresholm Food Bank and Outreach Society

Coaldale Community Food Bank

Crowsnest Pass Food Bank Society

Epic Youth Food Bank, Cardston

Fort Macleod Salvation Army Food Bank

Granum Drop-In Centre

Interfaith Food Bank, Lethbridge Kainai Food Bank Society

Lethbridge Food Bank

Lethbridge Polytechnic Students’ Association Food Bank

Nanton Ministerial Association Food Bank

Napi Friendship Association, Brocket

North County Interfaith Outreach Society, Picture Butte

Pincher Creek Community Food Centre

Taber Food Bank Society

Tri-Community Pantry, Milk River

University of Lethbridge Students’ Union Food Bank

University of Lethbridge Food for Thought Program

Vauxhall and Area Food Bank Society

Veterans Food Bank, Lethbridge

Vulcan Food Bank Society