Recent news and events concerning the Red Deer & District Community Foundation.

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Community Foundation of Central Alberta Awards $30,000 for Fall 2025 Microgrants Program

The Community Foundation of Central Alberta (CFCAB) is proud to announce $30,000 in funding through its Fall 2025 Microgrants Program, supporting six innovative community initiatives across Central Alberta. These projects reflect a diverse range of approaches to strengthening our community through youth development, cultural engagement, reconciliation, and social innovation. Recipients for this round of grants include:

Best Buddies Canada – The Youth Leadership Program

Best Buddies Canada will launch its Youth Leadership Program in Red Deer, serving 30 youth with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities between January 2026 and January 2027. The program empowers participants through public speaking, community engagement, and leadership training, with youth leadership teams meeting at least twice monthly for workshops focused on self-advocacy and empowerment. Funding will cover inclusive events and activities, comprehensive training in disability advocacy and storytelling, and distribution of program materials throughout Red Deer.

Red Deer & District Museum Society – Central Alberta Arts Audience Development Research

The Red Deer & District Museum Society will conduct comprehensive arts audience development research to establish benchmarks of awareness and familiarity, understand local audience expectations, and identify programming opportunities for future growth. The research outcomes will be publicly released and workshopped with the local creative community, providing valuable data that other arts organizations in Central Alberta can use to inform their own approaches and support discussions about developing Red Deer’s creative economy.

Red Deer Cultural Heritage Society & Collaborators – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Community Gathering

This grant supported an inclusive community gathering on September 30, for National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. The event was intended for meaningful connection, story sharing, and community healing. Opening with a Pipe Ceremony, the gathering featured tipi storytelling with Elders, a shared story wall creating a living archive, Indigenous film screening, interactive activities including traditional games and rock painting, and a culminated with a Round Dance. The event included a community meal bringing Indigenous and non-Indigenous people together to celebrate, heal, and thrive.

Red Deer Food Bank Society & ReThink Red Deer’s Common Ground Garden Project – Social Enterprise Capacity Development in Red Deer

The Red Deer Food Bank Society, in partnership with ReThink Red Deer via the Common Ground Garden Project, is working on developing a social enterprise with a potential kitchen and indoor growing system infrastructure. This grant enabled attendance at the SVI Alberta Retreat at Metis Crossing with non-profit and funder representatives, and will also include community engagement sessions in Red Deer to foster social enterprise collaborations and establish case studies and lessons learned for future endeavours.

The Broom Tree Foundation – The Broom Tree Sisters Program

The BT Sisters Mentorship Program supports vulnerable individuals in Central Alberta through sustainable relationships that empower participants to overcome barriers and develop skills for healthy relationships. With 50 volunteers currently matched with women in the community, this grant will strengthen the program through trauma-informed training and supervision, structured guidelines and mentor screening, team-based peer-support models, and referral and emergency planning training to build a stronger, more sustainable mentorship ecosystem.

YMCA of Northern Alberta – Launching Fall Break SKY High Camps for Youth Navigating Complex Social Landscapes

The YMCA of Northern Alberta will launch a SKY High camp during the November 2025 fall school break, providing free structured experiences for high-barrier youth. The camp supports youth as they build resilience, enhance self-esteem, develop leadership, and create positive social connections through workshops and recreational activities including healthy relationships education, goal development, outdoor skills, financial literacy, and mental health support.

Through these diverse initiatives, CFCAB’s Fall Microgrants Program continues to support community-driven solutions that strengthen Central Alberta’s social fabric, promote inclusion and reconciliation, and build capacity for long-term community wellbeing

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Nature for New Canadians Brings Youth Camping Experience to Alberta Wilderness

Seventeen young newcomers to Canada experienced their first camping trip this summer through the Nature for New Canadians 2025 Youth Camping Trip. This initiative was delivered in partnership by Care for Newcomers (Care), the Waskasoo Environmental Education Society (WEES), with partial funding from the Community Foundation of Central Alberta.

This year’s campers, from Afghanistan, Eritrea, Jordan, Kenya, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, and Vietnam, spent multiple days at Aspen Beach Lakeview Campground, where many saw mountains up close and shooting stars for the first time.

Building Skills and Shifting Perspectives

The multi-day immersion gave participants hands-on experience with hiking, campfire cooking, camp chores, and wildlife education. Campers learned practical outdoor skills and gained a new sense of both independence and interdependence while experiencing many of the well-documented benefits of connecting with nature.

“Programs like this highlight the importance of making nature accessible and welcoming for everyone. By introducing new Canadians to Alberta’s parks and protected areas, we are able to foster a stronger connection to the land and create opportunities for people to build meaningful relationships with the environment—and with each other,” said Alberta Parks Staff involved with the program.

“Interpretive activities play a key role in building comfort and confidence in outdoor settings, helping newcomers feel informed, empowered, and inspired to return to these landscapes and explore further developing a lasting appreciation for Alberta’s natural spaces.”

Creating Common Ground

Beyond practical outdoor skills, the program addressed a less obvious but potentially more significant outcome: cultural integration.

Camping is a widespread childhood experience for many Albertans, creating a shared cultural reference point. By participating in this tradition, newcomer youth now have common ground with their Canadian-born peers—a foundation for connection, belonging, and mutual understanding.

“These kids grow up seeing each other as equals, with shared interests and diverse experiences,” program organizers noted.

The transformation was documented through staff observations and post-trip survey responses, which showed growth in both independence and group cohesion among participants.

The Nature for New Canadians program is planning another trip for Summer 2026, where it will provide more newcomer youths with access to experiences that foster both practical skills and social belonging in their new home. This powerful experience will continue to open doors to new relationships with nature—ones built on respect, curiosity, and a growing sense of comfort in a new country.

CFCAB Awards Over $204,000 in Scholarships in 2025

The Community Foundation is proud to announce that it has awarded more than $204,000 in scholarships to 39 deserving students in 2025, helping to remove financial barriers and open doors to educational opportunities across our region. These scholarships represent a significant investment in the future leaders, innovators, and changemakers of our community.

“Scholarships are transformative tools that can change the trajectory of a student’s life,” said Erin Peden, Executive Director of the Community Foundation. “By reducing financial barriers to education, we’re not just funding tuition and books – we’re investing in dreams, potential, and the bright futures these students will create. Each scholarship recipient represents possibility, and we’re honored to play a role in their educational journey.”

From memorial scholarships that leave a lasting legacy, to family scholarships that demonstrate community values, the awards distributed this year demonstrate the profound impact that can be achieved when access to education is prioritized. Each of these awards are made possible by the generosity of donors and fundholders who understand that investing in education is investing in the community’s future.

In establishing endowed scholarship funds, and making annual contributions, these philanthropic partners believe deeply in giving students access to a brighter future, regardless of their financial circumstances. Their commitment ensures that talented and motivated students can pursue their educational goals without the burden of overwhelming debt.

Each of these scholarships represents a step towards greater equity in education, allowing students from diverse backgrounds to thrive and succeed.

Summer 2025 Microgrants Awarded to Three Agencies

With the goal of supporting agencies to fulfil their missions, three grants of $5,000 each have been awarded to Boys and Girls Club Wolf Creek, the Mountain View Emergency Shelter, and the Wild Rose Humane Society for the Community Foundation’s Summer 2025 Microgrants cycle. These grants provide financial support for three important initiatives while also representing the Foundation’s commitment to fostering positive change within our community.

The Boys and Girls Club Wolf Creek has provided safe, affordable, reliable, and successful programming to support children, youth, and their families for over 20 years. This funding will enable them to keep the wheels rolling on their 24-passenger bus, which is critical in helping the agency ensure safe access and daily transportation to programming for youth.

The Mountain View Emergency Shelter in Olds will use the grants for their Vision Forward efforts which will help to chart the future of the organization in the form of strategic planning, funding exploration, and marketing development. These future-facing steps will help the agency to fulfill its mission to support individuals and families to live free from family violence and abuse.

Lastly, the Wild Rose Humane Society, located in Didsbury, will use the grant for their innovative Companion Connections initiative. This program fosters meaningful interactions between individuals with disabilities and shelter animals, creating opportunities for connection, healing, and companionship for both participants and animals.

Together, these grants embody a spirit of generosity that strengthens our social fabric. They remind us of the importance of investing in organizations that uplift others—ensuring a brighter future for all members of our community.

Youth in Philanthropy: Building Future Community Leaders

The Community Foundation of Central Alberta’s Youth in Philanthropy has had another successful year!  This year, Mattie McCullough Elementary and St. Martin de Porres School embraced the challenge of becoming young philanthropists.

St. Martin de Porres School is a longtime participant in the YiP program, having been involved since 2018.  This year the students worked hard to raise money through both an Art Sale held at Velvet Olive, as well as a Garage Sale held at the school. Their efforts resulted in $1,369.50 raised for the Canadian Cancer Society and Saving Grace Animal Society, with $1,000 going back into the Youth in Philanthropy Endowment, to ensure the continuation of the program.

Mattie McCullough Elementary participated in Youth in Philanthropy for the first time this year. They planned two Sock Hops, and also collected bottles to raise funds for their grant to the Central Alberta Humane Society. The students raised enough money to donate $822.50 to the Humane Society, and contribute $250.00 back into the YiP Endowment.  

“I am continually amazed by the thoughtfulness and maturity these young students demonstrate throughout the grant-making process,” says Erin Peden, Executive Director of the Community Foundation of Central Alberta. “The dedication of the teachers who guide them is equally impressive – they’re nurturing the next generation of community leaders. The impact extends far beyond the grants these students award; we’re seeing students develop a genuine understanding of their role as engaged citizens.”

The Youth in Philanthropy program provides students with hands-on experience in charitable giving. Each participating school receives $500 to distribute as grants to local registered charities, creating genuine stakes that go far beyond abstract learning. Students research potential recipients, share their information, and engage in collaborative decision-making that mirrors professional grant-making processes.

By actively involving students, the program plants seeds of social awareness at a crucial developmental stage when children are forming their understanding of their role in society. The highlight of the program is the gathering where students present cheques to their chosen grant recipients, experiencing firsthand the satisfaction of making a positive community impact.

Youth in Philanthropy succeeds by treating young people as capable decision-makers rather than passive learners. Through genuine trust in their abilities, the program transforms students from observers into active community participants, preparing them to become the engaged, compassionate leaders their communities will need in the future.

Community Tour Spurs Conversation and Awards Grants

This past Spring, the Community Foundation celebrated a significant milestone by taking its 35th anniversary celebrations directly to the communities it serves. The Community Tour saw the Foundation hit the road throughout Central Alberta, visiting eight local communities with coffee, treats, and most importantly, open ears ready to listen. These stops provided invaluable opportunities to connect with residents and understand their unique perspectives on what makes their communities special and what challenges they face.

The conversations revealed a rich tapestry of community life across the region. Residents proudly shared stories of wonderful neighbours, innovative programs, and inspiring community collaborations. From successful local initiatives to unexpected gems like great shoe stores, the tour highlighted the diverse strengths that make each community unique. These positive encounters demonstrated the resilience and creativity that characterize Central Alberta’s communities.

The tour also brought to light pressing challenges that resonate across the region. Housing difficulties, transportation accessibility issues, affordability concerns, and the need for greater community engagement emerged as significant obstacles affecting nearly every community visited. These obstacles underscore the importance of regional collaboration and targeted support to address systemic issues that transcend municipal boundaries.

Yet amidst these challenges, one thing stood out: a profound sense of care among residents who are working to ensure that their communities are thriving places where everyone feels they belong. It is this spirit of belonging that fuels the Community Foundation’s mission and inspires us to work collaboratively towards solutions that benefit everyone.

“It was incredibly rewarding to connect directly with community members across Central Alberta and witness the power of collaboration in action. These conversations have deepened our understanding of both the remarkable strengths and pressing challenges that define our region,” said Erin Peden, CFCAB Executive Director. “This tour reminded us of the perseverance and sense of community that exists here in Central Alberta. As well as some incredible cinnamon buns.”

The Community Foundation reinforced its commitment to these communities by awarding 25 grants totaling $41,650 to organizations across ten communities during the tour. This direct investment, combined with the insights gained from community conversations, will help inform the Foundation’s ongoing efforts to support meaningful change throughout Central Alberta.

*Grants were distributed based on applications received, as well as funding from funds earmarked for specific communities, due to donor’s wishes.
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Teen mentoring program expands to Blackfalds

As a part of the Winter 2024 round of the Community Foundation’s Community Microgrant program, a grant was awarded to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lacombe and District to expand their Teen Mentoring Program to Iron Ridge Elementary Campus in Blackfalds, after the success of the program in Lacombe.

The teen mentoring program creates belonging and community by matching teen mentors with elementary students for opportunities to spend time together during school hours. The goal of the program is to address social isolation and community wellness gaps, two areas that were identified in a recent Social Needs Assessment. This program fills those gaps by providing young students with role models, resilience, and social connections.

“We have really witnessed the connections between mentors and mentees grow since the program started,” says Jen Harty, BBBSLD Community Engagement Director. “The teen mentoring program isn’t just about individual growth, it’s about building a stronger, more interconnected community. The teen mentors have played a vital role in supporting the mentees social development and emotional well-being. At the same time, the mentors have experienced their own personal growth, enhancing their communication, leadership, and problem-solving abilities,” Harty continued.

Once a week, the trained teen mentors are provided transportation to the elementary school where they meet with their mentees to spend time together. The pairs are given access to a multi-purpose makers space, a games cupboard, craft supplies, and the playground and outdoor spaces. Together, each pair choose the activities they want to complete together. Through this regular quality time, teen mentors have the opportunity to develop their leadership skills while offering elementary-aged children the comfort and connection they need.

The most significant outcome of this project has been its ability to forge deeper connections between youth, their schools, and the broader community. With this expansion into Blackfalds, we can look forward to even more inspiring stories of growth and friendship. Congratulations to BBBSLD on the success of this program that cultivates future leaders and strengthens our community!

Aspire Receives Transportation Funding from the Community Foundation

The Community Foundation of Central Alberta’s recent grant of $22,954.42 to Aspire Child Development Centre marks a significant step towards restoring vital transportation services for children attending Aspire’s therapy-based preschool. Following a highway accident that destroyed one of Aspire’s buses, the organization faced unexpected challenges.

“When one of our buses was lost in an unforeseen accident in November, it had a profound effect on our ability to provide free transportation for families. The loss not only disrupted our service but also strained our budget, as the insurance settlement did not cover the full cost of replacing the bus,” said JoAnne Hayden, Executive Director of Aspire.

Thankfully, no children were on board at the time of the accident, and while two staff members sustained non-life-threatening injuries, the incident also had broader repercussions for Aspire’s transportation program. Without the second bus, staff members had to adapt quickly—some driving up to 2.5 hours each day to ensure children could still attend preschool, while still managing their regular staff duties. This pivot has allowed Aspire to continue to provide transportation at no cost to families, but is not a sustainable solution.

“Our committee immediately understood the urgency in this request,” said Erin Peden, CFCAB Executive Director. “With 75% of Aspire’s specialized preschool students requiring transportation, we knew the importance of getting a replacement bus. As the community’s savings account, we see tremendous value in being able to support charities when faced with unexpected challenges. The Community Foundation took this opportunity to ease a tough burden for a local organization doing incredible work with children and their families.”

The Community Foundation recognized the critical role that reliable transportation plays in removing barriers for families and prioritized this need when considering Aspire’s grant application. With this grant, Aspire will be able to fully cover the cost of a new bus in time for the 2024-2025 school year.

“Thanks to the generous support from the Community Foundation of Central Alberta, we now have the full funding needed to replace the bus. This vital funding allows us to continue supporting families by providing safe, reliable transportation for their children to our specialized preschool, where they receive the support, they need. We are deeply grateful to the Community Foundation for helping us remove barriers and serve families in central Alberta,” said Hayden.

In times of unanticipated challenges like these, community support makes all the difference. This grant highlights the importance of accessibility, but also reinforces our shared responsibility in supporting families and creating barrier-free opportunities for the little people in our communities who need it most.

Spring 2025 Microgrants Total $25,000

The Community Foundation’s Spring 2025 Microgrants will see six agencies funded for a total of $25,000 in funding. The programs receiving grants will support children, food security, newcomers to Canada, environmental education, arts & culture, and bringing awareness to Alzheimer’s and other dementias. The grant recipients are:

Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories intends to use the $2,500 to purchase a ClickShare and two presentation clickers. These pieces of technology will allow facilitators to share information more easily and effectively with caregivers, people living with dementia, health care providers, and community members. This grant ensures that presentations are empowering and engaging to families looking for strategies to support their loved ones within the Central Alberta region.

Blackfalds Food Bank Society has been awarded $5,000 for much-needed commercial coolers. This equipment will ensure the safe storage and distribution of perishable food items. The coolers will help to extend the shelf life of fresh food donations, accept larger quantities of perishable items, and offer a greater variety of nutritious food choices to those facing food insecurity. And, the addition of these coolers will allow the Blackfalds Food Bank to adapt to the growing demand for food assistance by increasing our storage capacity, reducing food waste, and building a more resilient food support network within the Blackfalds area.

Red Deer Community Band Society plans to use the $5,000 for bussing expenses for band members to attend parades in Central Alberta, as expenses for transportation continue to rise each year. Parades serve as a vital tool for recruitment and advertising for the Royals. They promote culture and heritage while engaging with the community.

Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada will receive $2,500 to place a Starlight Handheld unit at Red Deer Regional Hospital. A Starlight Handheld is a portable gaming device that encourages play, reduces stress, and empowers kids. Portable and accessible in all areas of the hospital, these devices provide normalcy and much-needed distraction for pediatric patients to help cope with their fears and ease interactions with hospital staff.

WCS Canada intends to use the $5,000 for their Alberta Community Bat Program, Alberta’s largest and most successful bat conservation program. This funding will support the Central Alberta region, with expanded public outreach programming and on-the-ground actions to support the recovery of Alberta’s Endangered bat species. These efforts include the purchase of two ultrasonic automated recording units (bat detectors), capable of being deployed for extended periods to monitor bat populations.

The Waskasoo Environmental Education Society (The Society) has been awarded $5,000 for a specific program under the Nature for New Canadians umbrella: a summer camping trip for youth that are new to Canada. The Society, along with Care for Newcomers, will plan and execute a 4-day 3-night camping trip in Central Alberta for 24 high schoolers. This experience is particularly beneficial to youth as they gain the benefits of immersion in nature, but they also get an opportunity to develop improved self-confidence, self-esteem, emotional regulation, resourcefulness, and risk-management skills.