Grant window opens for local Pass projects
Community Foundation launches spring intake with March 16 deadline and local groups urged to connect early
The Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta opened its spring grant intake Monday, inviting charities and other qualified donation recipients across the region, including the Crowsnest Pass, to apply for funding through its Community Priorities and Henry S. Varley Fund has $350,000 available this spring, while the rural life fund has $170,000 available, with applications due by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, March 16, 2026.
“Launching our grants programs is always a wonderful way to start a new year,” executive director Charleen Davidson said. The foundation said it sees the spring intake as a chance to support initiatives already underway across Southwestern Alberta.
The Crowsnest Pass has been on the receiving end of past rural life funding, including a spring 2025 grant of $20,000 to Peaks to Pines Residents Association for the Crowsnest Cruisers assisted transportation service and $12,730 to the Crowsnest Pass Family Resource Centre for support aimed at helping seniors access programs, grants and services.
The Community Priorities Fund is built from unrestricted gifts and is intended to support a broad range of projects as needs shift across the region. The Henry S. Varley Fund for Rural Life was established through a bequest from Pincher Creek area rancher Bill Long in honour of his uncle, Henry Varley, and is intended to support projects that enhance quality of life in rural Southwestern Alberta, with the foundation describing its region as stretching from the United States border north to Arrowwood and from the British Columbia border east to Grassy Lake.
The foundation said applicants must be Canada Revenue Agency qualified donees or apply in partnership with one, with applications submitted online. It is also encouraging applicants to speak with grants co ordinator Caitlin Gajdostik before applying and said she can be reached by phone at 403 328 5297 or by email at grants@cflsa.ca. for Rural Life programs. More information, including criteria and the online The foundation said application portal, is available through the founda-the Community Priorities tion’s grants page.