Community Foundation awards 27 grants across southwest Alberta

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Southwest Alberta

There are countless individuals throughout southwestern Alberta working hard every day to make the communities great places to live.

The Community Foundation was proud to support this hard work by awarding more than $200,000 in grants to 27 organizations at a celebration Dec. 8. From playgrounds and pools to program development and historical preservation, these grants make a difference to the people who call the region home.

As part of the Community Foundation’s Vital Signs work, a Vital Community Grant of $25,000 was awarded to the Southern Alberta Ethnic Association (SAEA) for the purchase of much-needed facility equipment.

“Through our work with Vital Signs, we are able to identify issues and areas of need in our community and provide proactive support,” explains Charleen Davidson, Community Foundation Executive Director. “A Vital Community Grant was awarded to the SAEA because of the work it does to promote an inclusive community where everyone has opportunities to feel they belong.”

Representing more than 32 ethno-cultural groups and independent members, the SAEA serves over 3,000 people who work together to showcase the many benefits of multiculturalism and diversity. The SAEA also works to support new Canadians through programming, collaboration, and advocacy.

The SAEA moved into a new facility in May 2016, however, there were not enough funds to acquire all of the needed amenities. The SAEA’s application to the Community Foundation was primarily for the purchase of furniture and chairs so that that large events could take place in the main meeting area of the new facility. With the additional funds, other needs identified within the application can now be realized, such as an improved sound system and a stage for the Multicultural Centre.

Communities receiving grants include: Barnwell, Champion, Coalhurst, County of Lethbridge, Crowsnest Pass, Lethbridge, Lomond, Magrath, Nobleford, Raymond, Standoff, Taber, and Vulcan.

Special thanks to the Lethbridge Auto Dealer Association (LADA) for assisting with the funding of eight projects for a total of $12,500. These projects are marked with a * below, with the amount funded by LADA in brackets.

The next deadline for applications will be Friday, March 31. Learn more at cflsa.ca.

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