Red Deer & District Community Foundation and the Community Foundation of Southeastern Alberta provides $506,928 to community-led infrastructure projects as part of the Government of Canada’s Healthy Communities Initiative 

 As Canadians continue to adapt to the realities of COVID-19, local governments and community partners across the country are adapting their spaces and services to keep residents safe and healthy, support economic recovery, create jobs, and build vibrant, resilient communities. 

Today, the Red Deer & District Community Foundation and the Community Foundation of Southeastern Alberta are announcing $506,928 in funding to support 14 projects in across Southern Alberta as part of the first round of the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative. Through the $31-million Canada Healthy Communities Initiative, the Government of Canada, alongside Community Foundations of Canada, is building safer spaces and ensuring a higher quality of life for people across the country, by helping communities adapt to the challenges presented by COVID-19. 

The following projects were awarded funding as part of the first round of the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative: 

  • $7,300 was invested to fund the Village of Donalda to support a Community Garden. 
  • $37,000 was invested to fund the Arts Common to support Arts Expeditions and Free Pop-Up Concerts within Calgary.
  • $20,821 was invested to fund the Brooks & District Museum & Historical Society to support a WiFi Hotspot Lending project. 
  • $64,896 was invested to fund the Crossroads Community Association to support a Park Project. 
  • $9,800 was invested to fund the AHS – Rural North East Home Care to support Digital Programming in Strathmore. 
  • $65,600 was invested to fund REDI Enterprises Society to support Digital Access to Community for Persons with Disabilities in Medicine Hat. 
  • $50,000 was invested to fund the Chinook Arch Regional Library System to support a Book Locker with WiFi Hotspot on Piikani Nation. 
  • $93,136 was invested to fund the International Avenue Business Revitalization Zone to support improved mobility with the Activate East project in Calgary. 
  • $25,000 was invested to fund the Town of Milk River to support the enhancement of Broadband Width in the surrounding rural areas of Milk River. 
  • $9,330 was invested to fund the Red Deer Public Library, Dawe Branch to support Books in the Park: Pop-Up Mobile Library. 
  • $67,226 was invested to fund the Camrose Open Door Association to support Digital COVID Response project. 
  • $22,190 was invested to fund the Banff Public Library to support a Digital Library. 
  • $28,700 was invested to fund the Crescent Heights Community Association to support Mini Galleries Project. 
  • $5,429 was invested to fund the Town of Irricana Library Board to support Serving Community Digital Way. 

Quick facts 

  • The Canada Healthy Communities Initiative was created to help communities adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic and create safe ways for residents to access services and enjoy the outdoors. The Initiative is designed to fund eligible projects between $5,000 and $250,000 that fall under three main themes: creating safe and vibrant public spaces, improving mobility options, and digital solutions.
  • Community Foundations of Canada together with its partners, including the Canadian Urban Institute, is working with community foundations across the country to manage the funding process and serve the distinct needs of communities across Canada, including equity-seeking groups, interested in applying. 
  • A variety of community-led organizations are eligible to apply, including local governments, charities, Indigenous communities, and registered non-profit organizations.  
  • The first intake for projects was launched on February 9, 2021 and closed on March 9, 2021. Successful projects from the first intake have been and will continue to be announced in the coming weeks. 
  • The second intake will open on May 14, 2021, and close on June 25, 2021. Applicants wishing to apply for the second round can access further details on the Community Foundations of Canada website. 

“The projects we’re announcing today demonstrates the creativity and commitment of communities and community partners across Canada to respond to the unique needs of their residents and create a high quality of life for them as they continue to remain vigilant in this pandemic. Through these projects, and the many more that will be announced in the coming weeks, the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative will help Canadians and their families enjoy safer, more vibrant, and inclusive communities now and into the future. It’s through investments in infrastructure that we’re working to ensure outcomes with triple benefits – growing our economy, fighting climate change, and reducing social inequality and ensuring a better quality of life of all Canadians.”  

The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities