Community Foundation grant offering opens

By Lethbridge Herald on August 20, 2022.

The Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta is now accepting applicant’s submissions for its two grant programs, the Community Priorities and Rural Life Program and the Henry S. Varley Fund for Rural Life.

“It’s always a pleasure for us to launch our grants programs,” said Charleen Davidson, executive director with the Community Foundation, in a release. “It’s exciting to see the various projects that are taking place throughout our community. These projects enhance everyone’s quality of life, and it’s fantastic for us to be a part of that by supporting these initiatives.”

The Community Priorities Fund is the Community Foundation’s largest granting program, and is looking to distribute over $500,000 this year to charities and other qualified recipients throughout the region.

Support for this program comes from over 50 years of donations, starting back in 1966. Donors choose this fund as a way to allocate their support and needs through a wide range of projects from communities throughout the region twice yearly during the spring and fall.

The Henry S. Varley Fund was established by local rancher William “Bill” Long and named in memory of his uncle, Henry Stewart Varley. The purpose of this fund is to provide support for a high quality of life throughout rural southwestern Alberta, through organizations, projects, and initiatives that enhance rural communities. The grants for this fund are accepted twice yearly as well, giving bi-yearly opportunities for applicants.

Applicants interested in applying for the grants must contact the Community Foundation’s grants coordinator Caitlin Gajdostik at 403-328-5297, or by email at grants@cflsa.ca. Gajdostik is also available to answer any questions regarding the application process.

An informational session will be held on Zoom at 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 8, with registration required using the grants emails.

For more information on eligibility, funding criteria, and access to the applications visit cflsa.ca/grants.

Applications are due October 17 at 4 p.m.