Seventeen Alberta community groups received $185,000 from Farm Credit Canada’s AgriSpirit Fund in 2014.
The fund awards rural community groups between $5,000 and $25,000 for community improvement projects, such as recreation and community centres, libraries, and emergency services training facilities. All projects are based in communities with populations less than 150,000 and the 2014 recipients must complete their projects by the end of 2016.
Most of the Alberta projects were for upgrading or building community halls, arenas and other community meeting spaces, but funding was also given for a wildfire response truck (Trochu Fire Department), food banks (Athabasca and Vulcan), and a therapeutic park in Coaldale. Other communities receiving grants, which ranged from $5,000 to $20,000, were Le Crete, Cardiff, Rycroft, High Prairie, Munson, Dewberry, Holden, Priddis, Rocky Mountain House, Barrhead, Foremost, Armena, and Bonnyville.
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In total, the fund gave $1 million to 78 community groups across the country in 2014. Over the past 11 years, AgriSpirit has helped to fund 869 projects.
“The FCC AgriSpirit Fund is about making life better for people in rural Canada — giving back to the communities where our customers and employees live and work,” said Sophie Perreault, FCC executive vice-president and chief operating officer. “We’re proud to work in partnership with these great organizations that are making a positive difference. Congratulations to all the recipients.”
Nationally, 1,111 applications were received this year, and the next application period opens in spring 2015. Registered charities and non-profit organizations interested in funding can visit the FCC AgriSpirit fund website for eligibility requirements and to apply.
