Applications open for Community Wellbeing grant money

By Lethbridge Herald on November 14, 2025.

Alejandra Pulido-Guzman
Lethbridge Herald

The City of Lethbridge has announced that they are now accepting applications for funding under the 2026 Community Wellbeing call for proposals. 

Andrew Malcolm, general manager of Community social development said Thursday that this is an opportunity for community groups, non-for-profit organizations and for-profit organizations if they are working towards non-profit efforts, to take the necessary steps to address the community gaps related to well-being. 

“What this opportunity allows us to do is to open opportunities for funding through our federal Reaching Home (Canada’s Homelessness Strategy) and our provincial FCSS (Family and Community Support Services), and the City of Lethbridge’s Diversion Outreach team funding sources,” said Malcolm. 

He explained that the federal Reaching Home is focused on homelessness, and it can be prevention as well as intervention, and it can be capital as well as operating. 

“Whereas the provincial family and community support services funding is targeted toward prevention, so that can be more focused on a variety of services including building capacity, life skills and resiliency, promoting healthy lifestyles, as well as support social development programs,” said Malcolm.

He said in 2024, they updated the community well-being and safety strategy which outlined several gaps and needs in the community’s social sector and they opened up a similar call for proposal process. 

“Through that we awarded great variety of great programs in our community like the Boys and Girls Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Woods Homes, YWCA and others. So, we’re hopeful that there are programs that exist today that will be able to apply and take their programming to the next level,” said Malcolm. 

He said they are also excited to hopefully see new groups and new initiatives brought forward recognizing that the needs of the community are in a constant state of change. 

“We want to make sure that the programs and the funding that we’re putting out reflects the needs of the community today,” said Malcolm. 

He said the total funding available is over $5 million for the two years of 2027 and 2028 and the call for applications will be open until March of 2026, giving organizations ample amount of time to put forward strong proposals. 

“Once the process closes in March of 2026, we will take several months to evaluate and award those funds, and then work towards new agreements with those organizations,” said Malcolm. “Ultimately, those programs will take effect either starting Jan. 1 or Apr. 1 of 2027, depending on the funding source.” 

Proposals must align with the relevant funding source’s directives and eligibility, and address needs, gaps and strategic priorities identified in the Community Wellbeing and Safety Strategy, the Municipal Housing Strategy, and the Lethbridge Community Needs Assessment.

Applicants are encouraged to review the full proposal guide before starting the application process to ensure eligibility and alignment with program goals. 

Applications can be submitted online until Mar. 13, 2026, at 4 p.m.