Over $374,000 awarded in support of charitable initiatives in Southwestern Alberta
Lethbridge, AB (Monday, December 9, 2024) – Today, the Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta is pleased to announce the recipients of grants awarded as the result of the fall call for applications to the Community Priorities Fund and the Henry S. Varley Fund for Rural Life. The Community Foundation will support 30 projects and initiatives with grants totaling $374,140 through the two grant programs.
The Community Priorities Grants program is awarding $181,800 to projects from 23 organizations across Southwestern Alberta. This funding is made possible by private, unrestricted donations given generously by supporters of the Community Foundation since 1966. Eight of these grants received additional support totalling $57,340 from various Field of Interest Funds, which are funds donors have established to support various areas of special interest.
The Henry S. Varley Fund for Rural Life will provide $135,000 to seven projects. This fund, which was established through a bequest by Pincher Creek-area rancher Bill Long and named to honour the memory of his uncle, supports projects that will help sustain a high quality of life for residents of rural Southwestern. With this current grant disbursement, the Henry S. Varley Fund for Rural Life has now awarded over one million dollars since the fund was established in 2015.
“These grants represent the culmination of our work this year,” said Charleen Davidson, Community Foundation Executive Director. “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. 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.”
Members of the Community Foundation’s team will be travelling across Southwestern Alberta this week, hand-delivering grants and talking to representatives from the groups receiving funding about their projects. For more information, follow the Community Foundation’s social media accounts.
A list of the Community Priorities grants can be found here and the Rural Life grants can be found here.
