Lethbridge, AB (August 19, 2024) – The Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta announces the opening of its Fall 2024 Grants program, and is now accepting applications to both the Community Priorities Fund and the Henry S. Varley Fund for Rural Life.
The Community Priorities Fund is the Community Foundation’s largest granting initiative. Established in 1966, this fund will award $550,000 this year to support the important work of our local charitable sector through two separate intakes. Primarily, this granting program supports one-time costs of construction, renovation, or equipment purchases, in an effort to help improve an organization’s operational capacity.
The Henry S. Varley Fund for Rural life was established through a bequest of Pincher Creek area rancher Bill Long to honour his uncle Henry Varley and the family’s ranching heritage. This fund provides support to community organizations that work to sustain a high quality of life in Southwestern Alberta’s rural communities; it provides grants to projects in areas of innovation, community collaboration, education, and training. Through two intakes, this fund will award $282,000 this year.
The application deadline for both programs is 4:00 p.m. October 15, 2024.
“It really is an honour for us to be able to support the community through these two programs,” said Executive Director Charleen Davidson. “Southwestern Alberta is extremely fortunate to have so many caring and committed individuals working hard to help build a healthy community. All of us at the Community Foundation are proud to be able to play a role in their work. We thank our many donors, because it is their continued generosity that makes all of this possible.”
Through its various grants programs, and the continued support of its generous donors, the Community Foundation anticipates granting over $1.5 million in grants across Southwestern Alberta in 2024.
Anyone interested in applying for a grant must contact the Community Foundation’s Grants Coordinator, Caitlin Gajdostik, by phone, 403-328-5297, or email, grants@cflsa.ca. Caitlin is available to answer questions regarding the application process, and will host a free information session via Zoom at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 18, 2024. To register for this session, please email grants@cflsa.ca. The Zoom link will be shared upon registration confirmation.
In order to apply, applicants must be a CRA-recognized qualified donee, or apply in partnership with a qualified donee, including a municipality, school district or CRA registered charity. All applications must be submitted through the Community Foundation’s online application platform, which is available through its website at www.cflsa.ca/grants.
