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

$135,000 in funding available in central Alberta for charities advancing Gender Equality

[Red Deer, AB] The Red Deer & District Community Foundation (RDDCF) announced it will provide $135,000 to local organizations working to support women, girls, Two-Spirit and gender-diverse individuals in an effort to develop a future grounded in equity, inclusion and justice. The Fund is part of a partnership with Community Foundations of Canada, funded through the Government of Canada. The Red Deer & District Community Foundation is one of 25 community foundations across Canada that are taking part.

“Over the last 13 years, our Foundation has been at the forefront of the gender equality conversation as demonstrated with our Women of Excellence Gala,” Erin Peden, Executive Director of RDDCF said. “Even still, our communities continue to be faced with increasing wage gaps, economic inequalities, and alarming rates of gender-based violence, to name a few of the issues. Our Foundation is committed to working towards advancing gender equality in central Alberta and across Canada.”

Peden said to ensure a just recovery from the effects of COVID-19, and for a more inclusive future, it is more pressing that ever to invest in women, girls, Two-Spirit and gender-diverse people.

“We’re pleased to be taking part in this funding initiative, while also looking at systems-level changes through our investment and institutional policies. We are as committed to creating impact internally at the Foundation governance and administrative levels, as we are throughout our district.”

The Fund for Gender Equality is part of a five-year initiative to advance gender equality in Canada, led by a collaboration between participating community foundations, Community Foundations of Canada and the Equality Fund, with support from the Government of Canada.

“Women have been on the frontlines of the fight against COVID-19. They have also been sidelined and hit hardest by the pandemic. Our government is determined to protect the hard-won gains of the feminist movement and to build back better. We are applying an intersectional feminist response to our pandemic response, supporting the most vulnerable and investing in women entrepreneurs. This builds on our historic investments to support those on the frontlines of the fight for greater equality, including a sixfold increase in funds for women’s and equality-seeking organizations since 2015 and dedicated funds to address and prevent gender based violence. We appreciate our partnership with Community Foundations of Canada, which is focused on strengthening the Women’s movement across the country.”  – The Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of Women and Gender Equality 

From November 3 to 30, 2020 RDDCF will begin accepting applications for funding from organizations at the “heart” of the women’s movement, with a focus on organizations that have demonstrated a long-term commitment to empowering women, girls, Two-Spirit, and gender-diverse people through their mission, activities, or partnerships. Grants can be used for a variety of purposes, including to pilot new initiatives, to address long-standing community needs, or to support a just recovery from the COVID-19 crisis. The initiatives themselves may touch on a wide range of areas that are affected by gender equality, including food insecurity, income inequality, racial injustice, domestic violence, and many more. In particular, the Fund will prioritize initiatives and organizations that are ‘self-led’—those that are led by the same groups that they focus on serving. Applications will be reviewed in December and it is expected that funding will be issued in January 2021. Charities and community organizations are invited to visit the foundation website for eligibility and application details.

“At Community Foundations of Canada, our purpose is to “relentlessly pursue a future where everyone belongs” said Andrea Dicks, Community Foundations of Canada President. “To create communities of true belonging, we need to advance gender equality across the country. Investing in women is not just the right thing to do, it is the strategic choice. By funding women-led and women-serving organizations, we can deliver double the impact—support decent work for female staff and support outstanding programming at community-led organizations that also serve women, girls, Two-Spirit people and gender-diverse people. We’re grateful for the financial support from the Government of Canada and the leadership of local community foundations like the Red Deer & District Community Foundation who are taking part in these efforts.”

Application portal will be open on November 3, 2020. Applicant guide and program details are available here: www.RDDCF.ca.

 

 

 

 

 

We are proud to have partnered with Community Foundations of Canada and the Government of Canada to deliver the Government of Canada’s Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF) in Central Alberta.

Launched on May 19, 2020, we’ve invested an additional $363,720.00 through the ECSF towards local charities and qualified donees supporting populations experiencing heightened vulnerability during this crisis. We are pleased to announce the ECSF has supported projects including:

$75,000 to the Red Deer Native Friendship Society for their project: Mental Health & Wellness – taking care of our spirits

$24,247 to The Lending Cupboard for preparations to reopen to the public

$20,960 to Habitat for Humanity Red Deer Region for Mortgage Relief for Habitat Families

 

$10,000 to Book Clubs for Inmates to support book clubs in federal prisons

$1,500 to Crohn’s & Colitis Canada for Community Outreach and Support

$21,530 to Starlight Children’s Foundation for Play from home packs

 

$22,708 to Mountain Rose Women’s Shelter Supporting families fleeing violence during COVID19 and beyond

$29,600 to Red Deer College for Subsidized Outdoor Summer Sports Camps for Youth

$17,695 to CA Sexual Assault Support Centre for Virtual Sexual Violence Counselling Services

$35,027 to Stettler Community Support Centre for Crisis Aid Program

$53,200 to Bethany Care Foundation for Safe outdoor visits for Residents and Families

 

$40,000 to the Mustard Seed for Satellite Food Bank program

$11,800 to Olds & District Hospice Society for NavCARE – Navigating, Connecting, Accessing, Resourcing, Engaging

Our community foundation has granted the full funding available to our community through the ECSF. We are unfortunately no longer accepting applications. Since the start of the pandemic, charities and non-profit organizations have been leading the charge to assist those who need it most in the fight against COVID-19.

We invite you to explore opportunities with the other ECSF funding intermediaries in your community.

 

 

 

 

Red Deer & District Community Foundation takes part in new Emergency Community Support Fund
Over $360,000 in funding available for Central Alberta charities supporting  COVID-19 response

(Red Deer, AB) The Red Deer & District Community Foundation (RDDCF) has announced it will be providing $363,000 to support local charities responding to COVID-19 as part of a new partnership with Community Foundations of Canada, United Way Centraide Canada and the Canadian Red Cross, funded through the Government of Canada’s $350M Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF). This vast national effort aims to support vulnerable populations disproportionately affected by COVID-19.  RDDCF is among community foundations across Canada that are taking part.

“This is a vital step in the fight against COVID-19,” says Erin Peden, Executive Director of RDDCF. “Local charities and non-profit organizations have been working tirelessly to support those who need it most right now. This additional funding is a much-needed boost to their efforts. We’re looking forward to flowing funds quickly to ensure no one in our community is left behind.”

The Emergency Community Support Fund was initially announced on April 21, 2020 by the Prime Minister of Canada. It is part of a broad series of emergency response measures by the Government of Canada.

“Canadian charities and not for profits are always there to help you, in your time of need. But the COVID-19 pandemic is bringing real challenges to these important organizations. With today’s announcement, the Government of Canada will be there for them so they can continue to be there for Canadians.” – The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

Starting on May 19, RDDCF will begin accepting applications for funding from qualified donees. Grants can be used for a variety of purposes, including to cover staffing or resource needs, purchase assistance and more. Funding will be issued on an ongoing basis through July 2020. Charities and community organizations are invited to visit the foundation website for eligibility and application details.

“At Community Foundations of Canada, our purpose to “relentlessly pursue a future where everyone belongs” has never felt more important than it does right now,” said Andrea Dicks, Community Foundations of Canada President. “We’re grateful for the leadership of local community foundations like RDDCF, who have been at the forefront of local response efforts since the pandemic was declared. Thanks to the Government of Canada’s contribution, our network will be able to unlock even more local impact for organizations serving vulnerable groups, helping us set the stage for more inclusive, resilient and sustainable communities.”

For more information contact:

Erin Peden, Executive Director
403.341.6911
erinpeden@rddcf.ca

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Red Deer, AB) The Red Deer & District Community Foundation has announced the postponement of the 2020 Women of Excellence Awards Gala.

“We had planned on hosting the event on June 13, but in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, that is not a safe choice for our community this year,” Erin Peden, Executive Director of the Red Deer & District Community Foundation said. “This means we have a really hard secret to keep for the next few months.”

The Women of Excellence Awards Committee had planned on revealing the names of the 2020 Nominees on April 3, but have decided to keep the reveal under wraps until a new date has been determined.

“We are committed as a Foundation and as a Committee to ensure this year’s nominees experience the same level of recognition as nominees have in the past,” Peden said. “These women have invested in our community through a broad spectrum of talents and each and every one of us have benefitted from their ingenuity, their strength and their determination on some level. If we cannot celebrate our nominees in 2020, then we will celebrate them in 2021.”

The Women of Excellence Awards Gala is the annual fundraiser for the Red Deer & District Community Foundation. Since 1989 the Foundation has granted over $11.5 million to charities within Central Alberta and works to identify long term needs while focusing on sustainable solutions.

Most recently, the Foundation committed $50,000 towards immediate support for front line charities in Central Alberta who are experiencing an urgent need for funding due to the COVID-19 Global Crisis. For more information on the Community Response Fund, visit www.RDDCF.ca.

 

(Red Deer, AB) In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Red Deer & District Community Foundation announced on Friday they are committing a minimum of $50,000.00 towards immediate support for front line charities in Central Alberta.

“Our charitable sector is being presented with obstacles they could never have imagined,” Erin Peden, Executive Director said. “As a Community Foundation, we pledge to provide supports wherever possible.”

Earlier this week the Foundation suspended their spring grants in anticipation of greater immediate needs. At present $50,000 has been committed in response to the COVID crisis; however Peden says the Foundation will address needs as they are presented above and beyond the initial commitment.

“In the meantime, we ask our friends, colleagues and donors to consider contributing to the Red Deer & District Community Foundation COVID Response Fund to help us effectively provide supports where it is needed,” Peden said. “We will be looking at all areas of need so by donating to the fund, you are putting your support exactly where it is needed.”

According to Peden the Red Deer & District Community Foundation will be working collaboratively with other community funders including the United Way and FCSS to ensure the community as a whole is well supported.

“Never has there ever been a greater need for collaboration,” Peden said. “We will be communicating openly and regularly with our colleagues to ensure we are creating a blanket of support for Central Alberta.”

Those wishing to donate to the COVID-19 Response Fund can do so online at www.RDDCF.ca.

The Red Deer & District Community Foundation has granted over $11.5 million dollars to local charities in the last 30 years and remains dedicated to strengthen the quality of life in Central Alberta.