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

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

New Endowment Fund Supports Sylvan Lake Seniors

The Community Foundation is excited to announce the launch of the Sylvan Lake Seniors Association Endowment Fund, a new fund focused on building a long-term funding structure to support the important work of the Sylvan Lake Seniors Association.

“When looking at how to create a stable financial future for the organization, the Sylvan Lake Seniors Association made the prudent decision to open an endowment fund here at the Community Foundation,” said Erin Peden, RDDCF Executive Director. “By investing in an endowment, the organization is cultivating a sustainable funding source, rather than relying solely on annual donations or government grants. And so far, their efforts to raise money for this fund have been commendable.”

The Sylvan Lake Seniors Association is committed to growing the fund to eventually develop a predictable stream of revenue. This will help to ensure the longevity of their mission to “provide for the recreation, social well-being, and artistic expression of seniors of Sylvan Lake and area and to contribute to the education and social well-being of the community.“

“It’s been great to work with such a forward-thinking group,” said Peden. “They have been committed to learning as much as they can about endowment building, and in turn, their members have risen to the occasion for a very strong start.”

So far, contributions to the fund have been made by members of the group, as well as the group’s Euchre Club, and also by two local businesses who believe in the group’s mission: Mr. Mikes Steakhouse Sylvan Lake and  Sylvan Lake IDA pharmacy.

Donations of all sizes are now being accepted to help grow the endowment fund. Contributions will make a meaningful difference in ensuring that Sylvan Lake seniors have access to the programs, services, and space they need to thrive.

To make a donation to this fund, click here.

Book Clubs for Inmates in Central Alberta

Last spring, Book Clubs for Inmates received a Community Grant from the Community Foundation to have the Children of Inmates Reading Program (CHiRP) facilitated here in Central Alberta. This program aims to “build and enhance a healthier parent/child relationship, develop literacy and listening skills, increase vocabulary and attention spans for children and promote a love of learning in children through the consistent presence of a parent and books.”

Their volunteer coordinator shared this grateful letter from an inmate who is participating in the program:

“My name is Brett and I just wanted to say a little something about the CHiRP program. This program is amazing today is the second time I’ve used it. The first time I read my daughter Knuffle the Bunny and my wife told me that my daughter listened to it three times in a row then fell asleep with the chip card in her hand. This program is awesome, to be able to have them to have a connection and have them hear us read to them is so important. Thank you so much for starting this program and Thank you to the from our book club. Sara you do so much for us and go out of your way to help us. Thank you so much.”

The Community Foundation has also supported the Building Bridges Through Books program run by Book Clubs for Inmates. The participants in the book club recently shared some of their thoughts on the program:

To learn more about Book Clubs for Inmates, and the local impact of the CHiRP program, click here.

RDDCF Adds Three New Scholarships for Central Alberta Students

The Red Deer & District Community Foundation is pleased to announce three new financial awards to support Central Alberta students.

“With the understanding that education can be a powerful tool, we are thrilled to work with community-minded individuals and groups who see the value of investing in youth and impacting future generations,” said Erin Peden, RDDCF Executive Director. “We know that significant financial barriers exist for students and their families, so these financial awards help to remove these barriers and unlock possibility.”

The new scholarships include:

  • The Shea Family Education Award, created by the Shea Family and inspired by their deep roots in Sylvan Lake, will support graduating students from École H. J. Cody High School in Sylvan Lake.
  • The Burman University Music Bursary was created by Cheryl Cooney and Dick Huddleston, longtime friends of the Community Foundation, who were inspired by both the skills of the students at Burman University and the quality of the Burman University Music Program. This bursary will provide two entrance scholarships to the Burman University Music Program each year.
  • The Red Deer Golf & Country Club Centennial Scholarship was created to commemorate the RDGCC Centenary, as part of the Club’s celebration of this milestone with its members and the community. The scholarship is open to students who have been employed in the golf industry or have actively participated in the game of golf.

Greg Shea, who established the Shea Family Education Award, sees tremendous value in increasing accessibility to education while supporting local youth to pursue their educational goals. “We focus our philanthropy towards young people, whether it be education, sports or other activities, with the goal of empowering future generations by disrupting cycles of disadvantage,” said Shea.

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.