Recent Impact - Community Foundation of Central Alberta

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 […]

Impact Stories, What's Happening

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 […]

Help us grow our unrestricted fund! Donate today to the Unrestricted Community Fund.

This communities fund is the smartest way to ensure funding is getting to the areas that need it most within your community. Our Community Grants Program operates in a flexible granting model. This means that our community-minded adjudication committee can create grants to aid the areas that need it most without having to worry about limitations or specific parameters.

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Legacy Stories, What's Happening

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.

Impact Stories, What's Happening

Women & Girls Grants Support Two Impactful Programs

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.

Impact Stories, What's Happening

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

“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.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The Community Foundation of Central Alberta acknowledges that Indigenous peoples are the traditional guardians of this land we call Canada. We acknowledge that we are on the traditional lands of the Cree, Dene, Blackfoot, Saulteaux and Nakota Sioux peoples, as well as the peoples of the Blackfoot Confederacy. We also recognize that this land is the traditional meeting place of the Métis peoples. As a Community Foundation, we come to work on this land with good intentions.

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

Women & Girls Grants Support Two Impactful Programs

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

Help us grow our unrestricted fund! Donate today to the Unrestricted Community Fund.

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

Women & Girls Grants Support Two Impactful Programs

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

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LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

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