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. These grants will support thirty-three projects from organizations throughout Southwestern Alberta with over $300,000 in funding.
The Community Priorities Granting Program is awarding $220,970 to twenty-seven projects. Funded by the endowment of the same name, this granting program is the Community Foundation’s oldest and largest, supporting charities and organizations that are working to address the needs of the day throughout Southwestern Alberta. As the Community Foundation’s granting programs are made possible entirely through donor support, individual fundholders also contribute importantly to these grants. The Lethbridge Auto Dealers Association (LADA) provided an additional $11,000 to ten projects. Thanks to their ongoing support they have allocated over $175,000 since 2014.
The Henry S. Varley Fund for Rural Life is awarding $87,000 to six projects. Established by a bequest from Pincher Creek-area rancher Bill Long and named in memory of his uncle, this granting program funds projects and initiatives that enhance quality of life for residents of rural Southwestern Alberta.
“We are so happy to award these grants to groups throughout Southwestern Alberta,” said Executive Director Charleen Davidson. “This year has been, and continues to be, challenging for the charitable sector. We are proud to remain a source of financial support during this time of need, and we thank our donors for their continued support of the community through our work.” These grants support important projects and initiatives aimed at improving quality of life throughout Southwestern Alberta, notably by improving accessibility, performing necessary renovations and repairs, enhancing spaces for safe community gathering, providing tools for improved learning opportunities, and increasing capacity for the delivery of social services, to name a few. A list of grant recipients and a brief description of the projects can be found here.
