Three Alberta Communities to share in $100,000 Funding
The Rural Communities Foundation (“RCF”) is pleased to announce that its $100,000 grant recipients for 2019 will be awarded to the Alberta communities of Delia, Onoway and Paradise Valley.
The Onoway and District Historical Guild will receive $50,000, the Delia School Enhancement Society will receive $39,000 and the remaining $11,000 will be awarded to the Paradise Valley & District Museum Society.
“We were very pleased with the number of communities who submitted applications during July and August this year,” explains RCF Board Chair Harvey Hagman. “From over 200 submissions, the RCF Board was able to identify those communities who best fit our mandate. We know that community members will benefit from the project these groups are creating and will complete thanks to the RCF funding.”
The mandate of the RCF is to improve the sustainability of farmers and ranchers in Alberta by improving access to funding for educational, recreational and cultural facilities and programs in those communities. The RCF was created through the United Farmer’s of Alberta Co-operative Ltd. (“UFA”).
The Onoway and District Historical Guild’s Heritage Village is looking to expand and the group plans on building a secure machine shed to house and expand its historical farm equipment collection, which is designed to inform visitors about the history of farming in the community. The Delia School Enhancement Society Green Spaces project serves to ensure community members can come together to plant, grow and harvest in a free community garden space, an outdoor learning and meeting space area. And finally, the Paradise Valley & District Museum Society “Climb Thru Time Museum” will see some of its buildings restored to historical standards.
Groups who are eligible for funding include registered charities under the Canada Revenue Agency, registered non-profit organizations that are registered with either their provincial or municipal government, and community service co-operatives. All projects must align with one of the three funding categories of recreational, education events and activities, or cultural facilities and programs. Projects must be completed within a two-year period and be located in a community that has a UFA presence.
RCF made the announcement during National Co-operative week, October 13-19, 2019. The 2019 theme “Interco-operation” directly rates to the 6th principle of Co-operatives: Co-operatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the co-operative sector by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.
“As an agriculture co-operative, UFA believes in the power of giving back to its members. We look forward to continuing to give back through the RCF in 2020,” said Hagman.
For more information on the award recipients, and the next call for applications, please go to rcfufa.com.
Contact:
RCF Secretary/Treasurer
