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Record Number Of Applications

RDDCF announces $84,000 in grants through spring program

May 18, 2021 | 10:28 AM

The Red Deer & District Community Foundation (RDDCF) is pleased to announce it is committing $84,000 to local charitable programming through the Smart & Caring Community Spring Grant program.*

“This has been an incredibly challenging year for so many agencies within the charitable sector,” said Erin Peden, Executive Director of RDDCF, in a press release. “We had a record number of applications, which indicates the level of need within central Alberta.”

In response to this need, RDDCF officials say the Foundation is distributing $57,000 in grants to programs supporting human services, $3,000 to education and $24,000 in the area of environment.

“As a Foundation, we are mindful of aligning granting decisions with our mission, which is to create a legacy that strengthens the quality of life in central Alberta,” Peden said. “The grants that have been awarded this year are in areas that have either been underfunded, or that we recognized could create significant positive impact within our community should they receive strong financial support.”

Recipients of the spring grants are as follows:

  • Ellis Bird Farm – Mountain Bluebird Nest Box Camera Pilot Study – $6,000
  • Aspire Special Needs Resource Centre – Fee Assistance Program – $3,000
  • Central Alberta Humane Society – Emergency Boarding & Pet Food Bank – $10,000
  • Habitat for Humanity Red Deer – Equipment & Software for Capacity Building – 7,000
  • Dress for Success – Part-Time Fund Development/Operations Coordinator – $30,000
  • Red Deer Arts Council – The Hub 2.0 Programming – $10,000
  • Legacy Land Trust – Slack Slough Conservation – $18,000

According to Peden, the Smart & Caring Communities Grant allows for all registered charities to apply for funding as there are no limitations to what areas the grant can support.

“If a charitable organization requires funding to provide a necessary, sustainable service, they should reach out to the Foundation to discuss what options are available to their agency,” added Peden.

The Smart & Caring Communities Grant is distributed twice annually and funds upwards of $120,000 to local charitable programming.

*A portion of the granted dollars were drawn from Field of Interest grants Conservation of Blue Birds, Swallows and Cavity Nesting Birds, Children & Families and the Environmental Legacy Fund.