Community foundation Spring grant programs open for applications

Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta

The Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta is now accepting grant applications for the Community Priorities and Henry S. Varley Fund for Rural Life Grants Programs.

The Community Priorities Fund is made up from unrestricted gifts to the Community Foundation, and it supports the needs of the day. In 2025, this Fund awarded over $565,000 through two separate calls for funding. This spring, it has $350,000 available for charities and other qualified donees to support their important work throughout the region. Applications are due by 4 p.m. on Monday, March 16.

The Henry S. Varley Fund for Rural life was established through a single bequest of Pincher Creek area rancher Bill Long to honour his uncle, Henry Varley, and the family’s ranching heritage. This Fund, which supports projects and initiatives from community organizations committed to sustaining a high quality of life in rural Southwestern Alberta, awarded over $317,000 in 2025. It has $170,000 available to support the rural community this spring. Applications are due by 4 p.m. on Monday, March 16.

 “Launching our grants programs is always a wonderful way to start a new year,” said Executive Director Charleen Davidson. “It really is exciting to see the many wonderful initiatives taking place across Southwestern Alberta and it’s even more exciting to be able to support those initiatives through our grants programs.”

All applicants are strongly encouraged to reach out to the Community Foundation’s Grants Coordinator, Caitlin Gajdostik, to discuss their project prior to applying. Caitlin can be reached at 403-328-5297 or grants@cflsa.ca. She will host a free grant information session on Wednesday, February 4 at 10 a.m. via Zoom. Please RSVP to grants@cflsa.ca; the Zoom link will be emailed to you upon registration confirmation.

More information on eligibility, funding criteria, and access to the grant applications can be found on the Community Foundation website http://www.cflsa.ca/grants. Applicants must be a Canada Revenue Agency qualified donee, or apply in partnership with one. All applications must be submitted online.