Over half a million dollars awarded in support of charitable initiatives in Southwestern Alberta
Lethbridge, AB (Thursday, December 4, 2025) – 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 36 projects and initiatives with grants totalling $528,795 through its fall and winter grant programs.
The Community Priorities Grants program is awarding $217,910 to projects from 28 organizations across Southwestern Alberta. This funding is made possible by private, unrestricted donations given generously by supporters of the Community Foundation since 1966. Ten of these grants received additional support totalling $65,655 from various Field of Interest Funds, which are funds donors have established to support a variety of special interest areas.
The Henry S. Varley Fund for Rural Life will provide $112,230 to eight 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 Alberta.
In addition to the support of the 36 projects, for the second year in a row, the Community Foundation is also awarding grants to food banks across the region. Hearing from these organizations about the increased demand for services during the holidays, the Community Foundation Board of Directors voted at its November meeting to proactively award grants totalling $133,000 to 20 Food Banks across Southwestern Alberta.
“We are, of course, very happy to be awarding over $520,000 in grants, but you really can’t put a price tag on the impact these grants make – for everyone who lives in Southwestern Alberta,” said Charleen Davidson, Community Foundation Executive Director. “Whether it’s funding for youth centres, portable sound systems, building renovations, or food banks, every grant makes a difference. 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.”
Members of the Community Foundation’s team will be travelling across Southwestern Alberta next 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 recipients from the Community Priorities Fund can be found here.
A list of recipients from the Henry S. Varley Fund can be found here.
