Lethbridge, AB (Thursday, May 11, 2023) — Today, the Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta is pleased to announce the recipients of grants awarded as the result of the spring call for applications to the Community Priorities Fund, the Henry S. Varley Fund for Rural Life, and the Youth in Action program. The Community Foundation will support 44 projects and initiatives with grants totaling $390,030 through the three grants programs.
The Community Priorities Fund will provide $226,800 in grants to projects from 31 organizations across Southwestern Alberta. This funding is made possible by private, unrestricted donations given generously by supporters of the Community Foundation over the past five decades. Eight of these grants received an additional $63,080 from various Field of Interest Funds, which provide support to successful applications that meet specific criteria determined by the donors. The Lethbridge Auto Dealers Association (LADA) provided an additional $15,500 to 14 projects. Thanks to their ongoing generosity they have allocated over $190,000 across the region since 2014.
The Henry S. Varley Fund for Rural Life will provide $77,250 to eight projects. This fund, established from a bequest by Pincher Creek-area rancher Bill Long and named to honour the memory of his uncle, supports projects whose purpose is to sustain a high quality of life for residents of rural Southwestern Alberta.
The 2023 Youth in Action Grants program will support five projects for a total of $7,400, including $2,000 from a Field of Interest Fund. The Youth in Action Grants program aims to empower young leaders by supporting youth-led initiatives that will benefit the community. Projects funded through Youth in Action Grants must be initiated, led, and organized by residents of Southwestern Alberta up to 25 years of age, in collaboration with a charitable partner.
“Each one of these grants will support something that helps build a healthy and vibrant community,” said Charleen Davidson, Community Foundation Executive Director. “The projects we’re funding range from building renovations and upgrades to accessibility and inclusion to the welfare of both people and animals. It’s wonderful for us to be able to support the work of the many groups that deliver the diverse programs that help us maintain a high quality of life in Southwestern Alberta.”
The Community Foundation’s team will spend the week of May 15 to 19 touring Southwestern Alberta to hand-deliver the grants and talking to representatives from the groups receiving funding. For more information, follow them on their social media accounts. The Community Foundation’s Executive Director, Charleen Davidson, is available for media requests.
A list of the Community Priorities grants can be found here, the Rural Life grants can be found here, and the Youth in Action grants can be found here.
