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

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Sylvan Lake Community Endowment Fund Awards Grants to Four Agencies

This year, four agencies were awarded grants from the Sylvan Lake Community Endowment Fund, for a total of $13,600 given to agencies working to support Sylvan Lake residents. The grant recipients for 2024 are:

Bethany Care Foundation has received $1,600 for sensory equipment for dementia residents at Bethany Sylvan Lake. Sensory stations will deliver essential sensory therapy programming to those with dementia. Sensory stimulation can help with communication, improve mood, and increase cognitive function.

Central Alberta Women’s Emergency Shelter has been awarded $5,500 to outfit their new shelter. This grant will help CAWES to create a comfortable place where survivors can heal, rebuild their lives, and envision a future free from domestic violence. 

Shalom Counselling Centre of Alberta will use this $3,000 grant to help provide affordable counselling to community residents of the Sylvan Lake area. Shalom strives to ensure that individuals are not limited in their ability to access mental, emotional, and relationship support because of their financial status.

Sylvan Lake Community Partners Association intends to use the $3,500 grant for equipment to set up their new location, after a required move. Sylvan Lake Community Partners provides 19 programs and services to the communities of Sylvan Lake and area, creating hope and support for children, families and individuals in need and/or in crisis through Information & Referral, Services and Programs. 

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A Remarkable Donation Allocated to the Red Deer River Naturalists Endowment Fund for Nature

The Red Deer River Naturalists (RDRN) have taken a huge step toward fiscal sustainability thanks to a recent donation of $500,000 from a generous and forward-thinking donor. As per the wishes of the donor, this marketable securities donation has been allocated to the Red Deer River Naturalists Fund for Nature, an endowment fund held with the Community Foundation of Central Alberta (CFCAB).

“This remarkable donation demonstrates the way that philanthropy can be used as a smart financial strategy for both donors and charities,” said Erin Peden, CFCAB Executive Director. “The Community Foundation exists to provide future-focused options for agencies in our region. We were thrilled to facilitate this donation, and to continue our work with the Red Deer River Naturalists to develop a strong fiscal foundation for their future.”

The Red Deer River Naturalists opened their endowment fund with the Community Foundation in 2021, and have witnessed notable growth in the fund in that time. Having an endowment fund allows the group peace of mind of knowing that a stable financial reserve fund will support environmental stewardship programming long into the future.

“An endowment fund allows RDRN the flexibility of using the interest to support operating expenses as well as special projects undertaken by the club,” said Rick Tallas, RDRN Board Chair. “The Community Foundation ensures safe investments, supports strong and healthy communities, and provides expertise in philanthropy.”

Philanthropy using marketable securities donations offers donors a unique opportunity to make impactful contributions while providing significant tax benefits. This not only maximizes the impact of the donation but also encourages more substantial contributions in a time when many charitable organizations are facing monetary strains. In this case, one significant donation will continue to provide support for environmental initiatives for years to come.

Supporters of the Red Deer River Naturalists play a crucial role in ensuring that the group’s conservation and education programs continue to thrive and adapt over time. From regular flora and fauna focus groups and field trips, to conservation and natural habitat stewardship programs, the RDRN fulfill their mission to involve citizens through education and opportunities that engage them to appreciate and defend biodiversity, ecological integrity and environmental stewardship in Central Alberta.

This partnership between a generous donor and dedicated environmental advocates fosters a healthier ecosystem for future generations.
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A $50,000 Bequest Supports the Red Deer Symphony Orchestra to Build Their Endowment

A recent generous bequest of $50,000 has been donated to the Red Deer Symphony Orchestra (RDSO), marking a significant contribution to the future sustainability of the organization. With long-term sustainability in mind, the RDSO Board of Directors made the prudent decision to allocate this donation to the Lapalme Legacy Fund, an RDSO endowment fund held at the Community Foundation of Central Alberta. By directing funds into the endowment, the Symphony will benefit from interest income that will help sustain its operations and programs over time. This approach not only provides immediate benefits but also secures long-term growth and stability for the organization.

 

“This endowment provides the opportunity for true organizational sustainability by establishing a baseline of regular operational funding each year. While donations, sponsorships, and grants are essential for all performing arts organizations, the inconsistency of these funding streams is a potential liability, and our endowment fund is a way to underpin our operations with greater security.”
-Matthew Whitfield, RDSO Executive Director
“The Red Deer Symphony Orchestra has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to thinking about the future,” says Erin Peden, CFCAB Executive Director. “As an organization, the Symphony is proactively stewarding their endowment with the knowledge that this development work now will provide financial sustainability later. This is an organization that is committed to developing their own reliable funding.”
The Community Foundation and the Symphony have been working closely to support the development of the Lapalme Legacy Fund. Whitfield says, “the Community Foundation is valuable both as a source for fund management and as a resource for endowment-specific expertise.”

This donation has been especially meaningful to the RDSO, as it demonstrates one individual’s passion for the great work of the Symphony.

 

“This bequest was given to the Red Deer Symphony Orchestra by a long-time supporter and founding board member whose donation of time, energy, and effort assisted in RDSO’s development from a small, non-professional orchestra to the organization that it is today,” says Whitfield.

A bequest is not only a meaningful way to support charitable causes but also represents a strategic approach to philanthropy. By designating funds in this manner, donors can leave a lasting impact that aligns with their values. Such contributions help organizations like the Symphony continue to provide important musical experiences for the community.

The thoughtful act of including charitable organizations in one’s estate plan reflects a commitment to nurturing the arts and supporting cultural programming for generations to come.

A Collaborative Grantmaking Approach Awards $5,000 to the ‘Library of Things’

In a hands-on exercise to welcome newly elected members to the Community Foundation of Central Alberta (CFCAB) Board of Directors, the group chose to award a grant of $5,000 to the Olds Municipal Library (OML) for its innovative Library of Things. This unique community asset allows patrons to borrow items such as tools, games, instruments, small appliances, recreation equipment, arts and crafts supplies, and more.

The process of selecting the grant recipient was unique in that the goal was to give new Board Members an in-depth understanding of the granting process. Each of the four new members pitched a local agency to the group. Once all agencies had been presented, the group engaged in a collaborative process where the merits of all the pitches were discussed, using the pillars in the Community Foundation’s Strategic Plan as guideposts.

Ultimately, the Board selected the Olds Municipal Library’s Library of Things as the grant recipient after considering criteria such as community impact, sustainability, and stewardship.

Dan McPherson, an Olds resident and the Board Member who pitched the Library of Things, was particularly impressed with the reach of the Olds Municipal Library, and the impact that a $5,000 grant would have.

“The Board was drawn to the fact that this grant would support something that could impact people over and over and over again,” said Dan McPherson. “I think we had good discussion as a Board on those factors of the ability to continue to give into the future.”

“This was a new way to introduce Board members to the values of the Community Foundation, and give them an opportunity to see all that the factors that go into making granting decisions,” said Erin Peden, CFCAB Executive Director.

The activity was loosely modelled on participatory grantmaking processes where the applying agencies themselves work together to make funding decisions. “In this case, the Board members were acting as the agencies they were presenting, and were able to see the grantmaking process from all angles,” said Peden.

The Community Foundation has used this grantmaking process in the past, specifically with the Fund for Gender Equality, where seven agencies decided, collectively, how to distribute the granting funds. This model moves away from traditional ways of grantmaking to prioritize collaboration, communication, and community wisdom.

“I actually really appreciated the reflection aspect of it that we got to do as a Board, and I think we all realized that the work of the Community Foundation is incredibly rewarding, but also incredibly hard work because these are very hard decisions,” said McPherson.

The Board’s decision to support OML’s Library of Things also reflects a commitment to supporting rural initiatives, as well as projects that increase accessibility and enhance quality of life throughout Central Alberta. The OML is committed to making the Library of Things accessible to all through their collaboration efforts with other libraries in the region as well. With this funding, the Olds Municipal Library will be able to maintain their Library of Things collection for a minimum of three years.

“Thanks to this process and their willingness to grapple with tough decisions, our Board has come away with even more community knowledge, as well as an understanding of the complexity of grantmaking in a climate where so many charities are deserving,” said Peden.
This grant not only underscores the importance of Board engagement, but also highlights how libraries are evolving into dynamic resource centres that prioritize inclusivity and innovation.

Ford Family Scholarship Celebrates 10 Years of Remarkable Impact

Ten years ago, a community-minded family established a scholarship fund that would change the lives of many students in their community, and now we are celebrating the impact of the first decade of that fund.

The Ford Family Scholarship, started at the Community Foundation of Central Alberta (CFCAB) by Penhold community members Eileen and Stewart Ford, was established with the goal of alleviating the financial barriers faced by students pursuing post-secondary education. Over the past decade, this family’s commitment has resulted in an incredible $245,000 awarded to deserving students.

The scholarship was initiated by the Ford family’s belief that education is the basis of success, change, and the chance for a better life. Eileen Ford, co-founder of the Ford Family Scholarship, said “we were interested in the ability to invest in something that would continue beyond our lifetimes.”

Started in 2014, the fund annually distributed five to six scholarships of $5,000 each, given to students graduating from Penhold Crossing School. In 2024, in recognition of the rising costs of post-secondary education, the scholarship amount was doubled and now each scholarship is $10,000. The initial investment will allow this fund to open doors for Penhold students for years to come, fostering support and motivation among students at the school.

Erin Peden, Executive Director of CFCAB, said “the impact of the Ford’s generosity and foresight is profound.”

Peden continued, “as we look back on the last 10 years, we are blown away by the number – $245,000 is a remarkable amount of financial support. But the impact of this fund extends beyond numbers to the stories of determination and success that have been made possible by these scholarships. There are powerful stories of students overcoming obstacles, pursuing passions, and embracing new opportunities, all because of one family’s commitment to increasing accessibility to education.”

The Ford Family Scholarships continues to build a legacy that nurtures future leaders within Penhold and inspires others to consider how they can contribute to educational opportunities within their own communities.

Latest Round of Microgrants Support Local Agencies

There are six recipients for the Community Foundation’s latest round of microgrants. The total awarded for microgrants in Fall 2024 is $29,600.

Lacombe Museum has received $4,600 for electronic enhancements including a digital display to showcase archival materials in a small space, as well as technology expansion to increase staff capacity. Additionally, this grant will be used for staff training needed for professional membership, ultimately increasing the Lacombe Museum’s ability to serve its community more effectively.

Red Deer Arts Council will use this $5,000 grant for their Hub 3.0 program expansion. The Hub 3.0 is a twice-weekly program at the YMCA centering on arts programs for people with developmental, cognitive, and physical disabilities to celebrate their creativity and self expression. Currently featuring artmaking, karaoke, and a drum-along concert, an expansion of the program to two days will add more spaces for artmaking, and new movement and theatre activities, which are the top requests from participants.

Red Deer Meals on Wheels received a $5,000 grant to support their Going Home Program. This program works to ensure a smooth transition at home for individuals recovering from a hospital stay by providing home-delivered meals. The Going Home program helps to ease the transition back home to independent living, supports healthier outcomes for participants, and provides valuable social contact and community support.

Rocky Mountain House Museum intends to use the $5,000 grant to increase security around their main building by installing both external and internal security cameras, as well as a monitoring system, so that staff and visitors continue to feel safe and confident when visiting the Museum.

Stettler Hospice Society has been awarded $5,000 to support their efforts to sustain the operations of their rural hospice suite at no cost to families. The Stettler Hospice understands the crucial importance of local hospice care and reducing barriers to access for this care.

YMCA of Northern Alberta is planning to use this $5,000 grant to support their Alternative Suspension program in Red Deer, which supports youth during suspension, expulsion, or for a preventative stay. The program has Youth Support Workers establishing trust and working with students on their successful reintegration to school by providing access to positive social supports with focus on encouraging the youth to have a voice. The program seeks to ensure the time spent away from school is an overall success for the suspended youth both personally and in relation to their education

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Donation of $500,000 in Securities Will Fund a New Preschool Building at Kerry Wood Nature Centre

In an inspiring act of generosity, a donor has made a substantial $500,000 donation of securities to fund a new preschool building at the Kerry Wood Nature Centre. This smart financial approach not only supports local education but also demonstrates how creative financial solutions can benefit the community.

The transfer of these securities was facilitated by the Community Foundation of Central Alberta, showcasing the power of collaboration between donors and organizations dedicated to improving the quality of life in Central Alberta. The donation will fund the new preschool building at the Kerry Wood Nature Centre.

“The Community Foundation was instrumental in facilitating this gift from our donor,” said Todd Nivens, Executive Director of the Waskasoo Environmental Education Society (WEES). “We do not have the financial infrastructure to convert shares to cash. The Community Foundation stepped in and charted the path forward for us. Without the Foundation, the final transaction between WEES and our donors would have been immeasurably more difficult.”

“This is an excellent example of the role the Community Foundation was created to play,” said Erin Peden, Executive Director of the Community Foundation. “Our job is to connect philanthropists with the causes that matter to them, and in this case, it was as simple as providing a resource to accept marketable securities and flow those funds through to the project in need.”

The vision for the new preschool building includes floor to ceiling glass doors, bathrooms, a kitchen, and modern building and insulating technology to give the building an incredibly small environmental footprint. Creating a preschool in such a unique setting offers young learners the opportunity to engage with the natural world around them, with access to outdoor activities, interactive learning experiences, and a curriculum that emphasizes environmental stewardship. The hope is that this new space will help the little attendees grow into adults who value nature and the outdoors.

Nivens is encouraged by the community support, and the value that a donor has seen in creating a special anchoring place specifically for our smallest nature explorers to call their own. “We can offer potential donors the opportunity to make a lasting impact on children and nature in Red Deer. With the Community Foundation of Central Alberta in our corner, we are able to work with all potential partners and offer them a range of options to support our efforts,” said Nivens.

“We are thrilled to continue to develop these types of relationships within Central Alberta,” said Peden. “What a joy it is to see such incredible projects thrive!”

As the community eagerly anticipates the opening of the preschool, this generous donation underscores the importance of philanthropy in enhancing educational opportunities. The efforts of a forward-thinking donor serve as a reminder that investing in our children’s future is an investment in our community as a whole.

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Over $165,000 in Financial Awards Given to Central Alberta Students

The Community Foundation of Central Alberta has made a significant impact in the lives of local students this year by awarding over $165,000 in financial awards, marking a record-breaking amount for the organization. This generous funding comes at a crucial time when rising education costs pose significant challenges for many families. By providing these scholarships, the Foundation helps to alleviate some of the financial burdens associated with pursuing higher education, allowing students to focus on their academic and career goals.

“We have seen remarkable dedication from donors who truly understand the long-term impact of educational access,” said Erin Peden, CFCAB Executive Director. “From powerful memorial scholarships that are creating beautiful legacies, to family scholarships that support students in specific communities, these financial awards ensure that more students can access education and create a brighter future for themselves and their communities.”

One of the key objectives of these financial awards is to increase accessibility to higher education. By removing barriers that often hinder students from achieving their dreams, the Community Foundation plays a vital role in fostering educational opportunities within the community.

Three new scholarships were added this year: The Shea Family Education Award, the Burman University Music Bursary, and the Red Deer Golf & Country Club Centennial Scholarship.

With the addition of these three awards, the Community Foundation now offers 13 different scholarships to support students in a wide variety of fields. While application criteria, eligibility, and requirements vary for different scholarships, all financial awards can be applied for through the Community Foundation’s online application portal.

For more information or to apply online, click here.

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First Round of Community Microgrants Awarded to Five Agencies

Through the Community Foundation’s new microgrants program, each of the following five agencies have received a $5,000 grant, for a total of $25,000 awarded.

Bashaw Youth Centre will use the grant to support their re-design efforts after shutting down during the pandemic. This funding will help the Bashaw Youth Centre to develop sustainability while navigating exponential uptake of their youth programming services and meet growing needs. Currently over 50% of the Bashaw School (Kindergarten-Grade 9) population are accessing Bashaw Youth Foundation programming.

Francophonie Canadienne Plurielle (FRAP) will use their microgrant to help support their Summer Camp Program to assist French-speaking youth in their integration to life in Alberta by providing an immersive English language experience. The camp offers many dynamic and educational activities, and youth are exposed to new and exciting experiences and are offered opportunities to connect, build friendships and have fun. With this funding, the camp will be open to all French-speaking newcomer youth.

Red Deer Food Bank intends to purchase a translation tool that will afford frontline staff greater ease in communicating with clients. This tool will reduce the communication barriers that currently exist between food bank volunteers, staff, and clients with different languages speaking origins. It will also improve communication with people that have cognition, hearing and sight impairments, offering more dignity and ease to clients.

Red Deer Native Friendship Society is planning to support the development of their community based social enterprise: The Friendship Shop. Designed to support RDNFS’ programs through partnerships with local small businesses, artists, and organizations, The Friendship Shop would help to increase access to flexible funding streams, which allows for inclusive access to services and supports.

Red Deer Public Library received a grant to support the creation of a new Cree language and lessons program. This free program will be developed alongside Indigenous community leaders to ensure the program is culturally and age-appropriate, and will include stories, songs, activities and play, with opportunities for families to build community and be introduced to Cree language and culture. RDPL also plans to increase the Cree language materials collection as part of their efforts to support Indigenous culture through the promotion, teaching and reading of Cree language.

The Community Foundation is proud to support these important new programs and projects here in Central Alberta.

RDDCF becomes the Community Foundation of Central Alberta (CFCAB)

A Letter from our Executive Director:

We are excited to announce a new change here at the Community Foundation. As you may have gathered from the survey that was distributed last year, we have been looking to make some changes. After careful consideration and feedback, I am pleased to share that the Red Deer & District Community Foundation will be changing its name to the Community Foundation of Central Alberta. 

Why the change? We understand that accurate representation is essential, especially when it comes to building trust and understanding within the areas that we serve. Our new name aligns more closely with our true reach, and better reflects who we serve, while still prioritizing our identity as a Community Foundation.

Rest assured, while our name may be changing, we remain dedicated to our mission of strengthening the quality of life in Central Alberta. In fact, this new name will allow us to continue our work with agencies and donors in Red Deer, while allowing us to enhance our connections with rural communities even further.

What can you expect from the Community Foundation of Central Alberta (CFCAB)? The Community Foundation of Central Alberta will continue to work in the region, along with Battle River Community Foundation, and Drayton Valley Community Foundation, to ensure comprehensive support for communities throughout the central zone.

Additionally, we will be rolling out a new look and logo. The CFCAB logo includes a circle to represent the circle of giving, the sustainability of endowed philanthropy, and unity between communities.

To celebrate this exciting change, as well as our upcoming 35th anniversary, we are planning a number of community initiatives, including a series of rural visits where we plan to host conversations specifically tailored to rural communities and their philanthropic potential. This tour will provide opportunities for us to engage directly with more citizens of Central Alberta, and share information about sustainability, legacy giving, and our role as a Community Foundation.

We ask for your patience as we undergo the name change process and more importantly, we ask for your support as we move into an exciting new time for our organization. You will begin to see changes in the coming weeks as we switch over our website, email addresses, and social media handles.

We are thrilled about this update, and we believe that this change will bring clarity to our role for donors, agencies, and community members throughout Central Alberta.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this name change, please don’t hesitate to reach out; I am happy to discuss further.

Thank you for being part of our community, and for your support of our work. We look forward to making long-term impact in Central Alberta under this new name and look.

Warmly,

Erin Peden, CFCAB Executive Director