The Prairie Crocus Community Fund continues to impact our community
The Community Foundation of Southeastern Alberta witnessed the generosity of our community when giving mattered most in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. In total $1,241,644.98 was distributed in grants, designated funds, scholarships, and agency funds across Southeast Alberta in 2020.
“Last year, we saw a considerable increase in charitable needs in our community because of the pandemic, but we are grateful that the region served by Prairie Crocus Fund has received generous funding to support our organizations in addressing our community’s greatest needs. We have distributed grants to ten local charities and non-profit groups to help serve our most vulnerable populations. The Prairie Crocus Fund is able to support projects through local donations, and we hope that our community members will continue to see its value and support it to ensure its sustainability,” said Linda Bingeman, Prairie Crocus Community Fund Advisory Committee Chair
Out of the regional total, $69,569.04 was allocated to non-profit organizations within Special Areas 2,3 and the MD of Acadia. Many grants were distributed to places such as the Oyen Legion Hall, Oyen and District Food Bank, Big County Adult Learning Centre, Hanna Food Bank, Hanna Municipal Library, Empress Friendship Center, and many other incredible local agencies.
Kim Stief, Prairie Crocus Community Fund Coordinator expressed her thanks. “I would like to extend a huge thank you to our donors, volunteers, and community supporters for their willingness to help and invest in the current and future charitable needs of our region. Their support has made a significant difference in 2020, and it will continue to do so for many years to come.”
The Community Foundation of Southeastern Alberta was able to distribute these amounts in grants because of the generosity of community donors who chose to give where they live.
“In 2003, Linda and I were given the responsibility of managing the Loretta and Joe Laycock Scholarship. I was happy when the Community Foundation of Southeast Alberta was able to invest our principal and get us a better return on investment than we received at the banks. With increased investment income we were able to award more funds each year to local students. There is a great potential to donate more to your local community in the long term through CFSEA and the Prairie Crocus Community Fund. Your principal grows each year and investment income comes back to the local community to help local initiatives today, tomorrow, forever.” -Melvin Bingeman, Donor
The Prairie Crocus Community Fund is still at its infancy and its capacity to fund projects is a work in progress; CFSEA’s total endowment helps support all of southeast Alberta, ensuring that our local region is looked after. The goal is to build our Prairie Crocus Community Fund through donations so that in the near future, it will be a local source of funding exclusive for projects in the Special Areas and MD of Acadia.
To learn about how you can make an impact in your community and give where you live, visit cfsea.ca.
