Community grants up for grabs

By Janet Kanters, Editor

The UFA Rural Communities Foundation (RCF) is offering communities the chance to receive up to $100,000 for projects that enrich education, recreation and culture.

The RCF application process opens today (June 12) – Farmer’s Day.

“Farmer’s Day is a day to recognize farmers and their important work at home and in their

communities,” said RCF board chair, Harvey Hagman. “We know the importance of rural communities and with a $100,000 grant a year for five years, the foundation wants to ensure our farmers and rural communities remain strong.” 

Last year, the RCF announced a $500,000 commitment over five years to rural communities.

The mandate of the foundation 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 Alberta.

Groups that are eligible to apply 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. The project must be located within 200 km of a UFA location and must be completed within two years.

Groups in Strathmore and throughout Wheatland County are eligible to apply as there is a UFA Farm and Ranch Supply store in Strathmore.

Application forms are available online at www.rcfufa.com. The application can be submitted between June 12 and Aug. 31, 2020. Winners will be announced in October, during Co-operative week.

In 2019, the winning projects were in Paradise Valley, Delia and Onoway.