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

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.

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Donation to the Care for Kids Fund in Memory of Beloved Coach Gord Inglis

In the spirit of community and remembrance, a donation has been made to the Care for Kids Fund in memory of Gord Inglis, a beloved RDC Athletics coach and dedicated supporter of both youth and sport. The Care for Kids Fund provides financial support for local kids to attend sports and recreation programming through recreation centres run by the City of Red Deer. Gord’s family chose the Care for Kids Fund for its focus is on fostering opportunity and promoting sports, which is a vision that closely aligns with the values Gord held so dearly.

“We hope this donation will provide youth with the opportunity to experience the joy of sport and recreation in our community. If Gord were still with us, he would undoubtedly continue to contribute in meaningful and impactful ways. Honoring his legacy by giving young people access to the same experiences he cherished in his own youth is a truly fitting tribute,” said Gord’s family.

A contribution of nearly $3,200 will serve not only as a tribute to Gord’s lasting impact on young athletes but also as a means to give back to the community he loved so dearly.  From flag rugby to swimming lessons and even nerf wars, the Care for Kids Fund bridges the gap and ensures that children have the chance to participate in activities that promote physical health, teamwork, and personal growth. Through this donation, Gord’s legacy will open doors for kids to access barrier-free recreation opportunities, and provide opportunities for those who might otherwise be left behind.

Andrew Inglis, Gord’s son, shared that “Gord had an unwavering passion for his community and was always eager to serve. He consistently found meaningful ways to make a difference, often through sport. His love for both sport and community were deeply intertwined, and anyone fortunate enough to share a tennis court with him or be coached by him would wholeheartedly agree.”

As we reflect on the remarkable impact of Gord’s life, we are reminded of the profound influence one individual can have on a community. A donation to the Care for Kids Fund is a fitting legacy for a man so dedicated to sport and generosity.
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Women & Girls Grants Support Two Impactful Programs

In honour of International Women’s Day, the Community Foundation of Central Alberta is pleased to announce two grants from the Women & Girls Fund, which support initiatives that uplift and empower women and their families in Red Deer and Rocky Mountain House.

A grant of $4,180 will be awarded to the Mountain Rose Women’s Shelter for their new Collective Kitchen – Healing Through Food program. This innovative project aims to bring women together to increase knowledge about nutrition, food safety, budgeting, meal planning, food shopping, and traditional Indigenous cooking. Running for 14 weeks, this project also incorporates support for system navigation and building connections with family and the community, while sharing stories and addressing the systemic barriers the clients may face. The Collective Kitchen recognizes the profound connection between nourishment and well-being, offering women a space to gather, learn skills, and share meals. This will ensure that the women will have a supportive network even after they graduate from the 2nd stage shelter and empowers participants to reclaim their independence and cultivate community ties that can last beyond their time at the shelter.

Additionally, a grant of $4,500 will go to the Waskasoo Environmental Education Society to provide free summer day camp spots for children fleeing domestic violence. Working with the Central Alberta Outreach Centre, the project will identify families that need support in having their children attend day camp at Kerry Wood Nature Centre. This program will benefit women who have minimal resources, while giving their children an opportunity to play, learn, and explore nature in a child-centred environment. The grant will cover the cost of 24 kids attending camp, and will also include camp-use items for the children, such as backpacks and water bottles.

“The adjudication committee was inspired by this year’s applications, and the transformative projects that are being created to help women and their children in our region,” said Erin Peden, CFCAB Executive Director. “Both the Mountain Rose Women’s Shelter and Kerry Wood Nature Centre have created much-needed programs that meet participants where they are, with the understanding that opportunities for growth and connection are crucial to fostering resilience and self-sufficiency.”

Both of these grants demonstrate how thoughtful support can create meaningful change in the lives of women facing adversity, and their families. By investing in programs that highlight the importance of collaboration, we are taking steps toward fostering hope, resilience, and a more equitable future for all.

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The Community Foundation Launches Online Giving Hub to Showcase the Needs of Local Charities

The Community Foundation is excited to announce the launch of a new Community Giving Hub, a centralized platform designed to bridge the gap between local needs and potential supporters. This online resource is a place where community members can explore a curated collection of current needs from various charities, allowing them to make informed decisions about their philanthropic contributions.

“As a Community Foundation, we have unique insights into our community’s needs. We have this vital knowledge through our grant applications, which show us what agencies need, right now, to thrive,” said Erin Peden, CFCAB Executive Director.

With constraints on both charities and philanthropists, it can be challenging for donors to understand what charities truly require at any given moment. By showcasing specific requirements from local organizations, the Community Giving Hub aims to provide a snapshot of charities’ immediate needs. This ensures that donations are not just well-intentioned but also impactful.

“Because of our role as a 360 degree grantmaker, the Community Foundation is in the unique position of hearing from charities across every area. There are so many organizations doing innovative and effective work to help people in our region, and these organizations are looking for specific support. We see an opportunity here to share this information with the many philanthropists in Central Alberta who have the means to help,” said Peden.

Potential donors can browse requests across different sectors, including food security, arts and culture, seniors care, and more. Whether through financial support, volunteer assistance, or in-kind donations, donors can identify opportunities that resonate with their values and interests.

“We often hear from businesses who are inundated with asks from agencies looking for support. Often, these asks are in the form of items for silent auctions, and support for fundraising events. While these are wonderful ways to support the community, we also know that sometimes businesses and individuals want more autonomy to support agencies in the work they are doing outside of the traditional fundraising event model,” said Peden.

Whether a business is seeking opportunities for corporate social responsibility or a family or individual is looking to make an immediate difference, the Community Foundation believes that by sharing this knowledge, stronger connections can be fostered within our community. This initiative not only empowers donors but also amplifies the voices of local agencies, highlighting their essential work and immediate needs.

The hope of the Community Foundation is that this Giving Hub will provide opportunities not only for financial support, but for collaboration as well.

“In the past, we had an application from a local environmental charity looking for funding to purchase specific items. The Community Foundation was unable to fund this need, but a local business was able to step up and provide the items needed. These are the kinds of connections we are hoping the Giving Hub can facilitate,” said Peden.

The Community Foundation believes that informed giving leads to greater impact. By sharing real-time insights into the needs of our community’s non-profits, this initiative allows individuals and businesses to contribute meaningfully but also strengthens the overall fabric of our community by ensuring that vital resources are directed where they are most needed. Together, we can create a more vibrant and supportive community by addressing pressing issues with assistance tailored to current demands.

The Community Giving Hub can be found by clicking here.

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Winter Cycle of Microgrants Support Five Central Alberta Agencies

For a total of $25,000, the Community Foundation has awarded five grants of $5,000 each in the latest cycle of our Community Microgrants program. The recipients are doing great work to support individuals and families here in Central Alberta. The grant recipients are:

Bashaw & District Support Services Association has been awarded $5,000 for their Community Wellness Worker Program. This program provides counseling, emotional support and preventative programming for children and families in the Bashaw region. The program is a direct community response to satisfy the need within the Bashaw area, and accessibility is prioritized with 100% of the school, pre-school, and daycare children having access to this program 5 days per week, 12 months of the year.

Between Friends plans to use the $5,000 grant to further their mission of providing quality social, recreation, and development opportunities so that people with disabilities can connect, grow, and belong. The grant will enhance new programming, allowing the organization to deliver inclusive, barrier-free recreational opportunities for individuals with disabilities in Red Deer.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lacombe and District will receive $5,000 to expand their Teen Mentoring program to the newly opened Iron Ridge Secondary Campus in Blackfalds. The Teen Mentoring program fosters resilience in youth and reduces the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) by building positive relationships & enhancing self-esteem.

Mountain View Hospice Society intends to use the $5,000 to enhance training for their Hospice at Home program and expand support services for individuals wishing to spend their final days at home. By increasing the training provided to volunteers, the organization will strengthen the effectiveness of their Hospice at Home program, ensuring that more individuals in Central Alberta have the option to pass away peacefully in their own homes, surrounded by loved ones.

YMCA of Northern Alberta received $5,000 to support the YMCA Northside Community Centre’s Youth Centre, ensuring free, universal access for youth aged 8-18. By eliminating financial barriers, the program provides vital social, emotional, and physical activity opportunities during critical afterschool hours, fostering peer connections, mentor relationships, and overall positive youth development.
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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.