COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD
Our Vital Impact Grant application and process has been updated to focus on organizations who may have an innovative and creative way in filling a community need. Our Community Leadership Committee has been working hard to revise this new award and they are proud to present the Community Impact Award.
The Community Impact Award is a grant awarded to agencies that have innovative project ideas, demonstrate creativity and leadership, and support vibrant, healthy, and caring communities.
Are you a registered charity with a game-changing idea that has the potential to create positive, lasting change in our region?
The CFSEA’s Community Impact Award is one $25,000 grant, designed for agencies with innovative project ideas that show creativity and leadership in supporting a vibrant, healthy and caring community.
Using information from CFSEA’s 2021 Vital Focus, projects that address the following priorities are invited to apply:
* Work & Economy
* Mental Health
* Vulnerable Populations – Food Security, Housing Stability, and Domestic Violence
Please Note:
- Successful projects may be applicable to receive funding over a maximum of two (2) years.
- A final report will be due within 18 months of receiving the grant.
- The recipient will have an opportunity to present on the impact of their project at the following year’s Vital event.
Deadline for applications is May 16th, 2022 at 12:00pm.
Process:
1. Submit the grant application through the CFSEA grant portal.
2. The Community Leadership Committee will then review all applications and consider up to three (3) finalists to submit further information including a presentation to the committee. (If asked to present, a completed budget for the project will be required).
Past Recipients of CFSEA's Community Impact Award
2021 Recipients
Our Collective Journey- $25,000
Our Collective Journey is an addiction recovery organization dedicated to “strengthening our community through the power of shared experience.” OCJ is also committed to eliminating the stigma surrounding particular issues that keeps individuals from
seeking help and instead, normalizing these issues by sharing and discussing their experiences.
“Since being chosen as recipients of the 2021 Community Impact Award, we have been able to begin providing select individuals the appropriate, professional training to become OCJ Recovery Coaches. OCJ Recovery Coaches listen, normalize feelings, and provide a
strengths-based approach for a more fulfilling future. This award will continue to assist us in getting more individuals trained as OCJ Recovery Coaches, helping us meet the ever-increasing community need for addiction recovery support!” – Ryan Oscar, Director of Programming
Cypress View Foundation in partnership with Bike Medicine Hat- $25,000
Bike Medicine Hat is an organization aimed at creating a community where cyclists of all ages and abilities can cycle safely, efficiently, and comfortably to their destination. Bike Medicine Hat has established a chapter of Cycling Without Age which provides seniors or those with mobility challenges the opportunity to go for rides on a specially designed trishaw bike operated by a volunteer pilot.
“We knew that Cycling Without Age is a wonderful program and that there had been a few different people inquire about bringing it to Medicine Hat, but the upfront costs made it a challenge. With funding from CFSEA, we were able to order 2 bikes and all necessary materials
to begin operating in spring 2022. We are grateful for this opportunity to allow seniors to reconnect with their community.” – Carter Gramlich, Board Chair
2019 Recipient
Southeast Alberta Search and Rescue Association in collaboration with HALO- $25,000
SEASAR (Southeast Alberta Search and Rescue) is an association dedicated to finding lost persons in Medicine Hat Alberta and the surrounding regions. HALO offers the only dedicated medevac helicopter for Southern Alberta and Southwest Saskatchewan. This grant will allow SEASAR to purchase proper protective gear such as personal helments with integrated communication, image stabilizing binoculars, eye protection, and specific radios for aviation. Due to the speed the helicopter can travel and the remoteness of the region, SEASAR will also purchase an InReach Satellite Communicator ensuring teams deployed by helicopter have a reliable way of contacting their team. The remaining funds will be provided to HALO.
“In the past, HALO has covered the cost of the use of their helicopter to train SEASAR’s volunteers. With this grant, we hope to secure 3 years of our comprehensive training with them and to help off-set the costs related to it. It is a great partnership, and one that we are thankful the CFSEA has recognized.” – Paul Carolan, President of SEASAR Board of Directors
Past Recipients of CFSEA's Vital Impact Grants
2017 Recipients
Fresh Start to School- $5,000
Take away items for distribution: BBQ hosting
McMan Youth Family & Community Services Association- $2,000
Outdoor BBQ and Community Gathering area for homeless youth apartment building
Medicine Hat & District Food Bank- $10,000
Contribution to wages of their system Navigator
Medicine Hat Early Childhood Coalition- $2,700
Play Guides
Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter- $4,000
Men and Boys messaging and education to prevent family violence
No Stone Left Alone- $1,000
Honoring Fallen Soldiers with poppies on Gravestones
SPEC Association for Children and Families- $8,038
Multi-Cultural Arts project to integrate Brooks’ citizens from around the world
2016 Recipients
Catholic School District- $10,000
Fresh Start to School
Dutchess Ag Society- $4,150
Dutchess Hockey Club
Medicine Hat and District Food Bank- $15,000
Food First Project
Medicine Hat Early Childhood Coalition- $3,875
Roving Gyms
St. John’s Church- $1,500
Project Connect
2015 Recipients
Early Childhood Development Coalition- $8,000
Roving Gyms Program ($8,000)
Medicine Hat and District Food Bank- $15,000
Food First Pilot
Medicine Catholic School Board- $10,000
Fresh Start to School ($10,000)
Medicine Hat Public Library- $3,000
Tic Tac Teen Program
Medicine Hat Public Library- $1,500
Post Teen Program
Shortgrass Library System (Bow Island)- $1,500
Teen Programming Kit
2014 Recipients
Brooks Public Library- $1,500
Teen Advisory Board
Margery E. Yuill Cancer Centre- $7,000
Transportation for Patients ($7000)
McMan Youth Centre- $5,200
Youth Food Security Program
Medicine Hat Early Childhood Coalition- $8,800
Roving Gyms ($8800)
Medicine Hat Public Library- $1,500
Tic Tac Teen Program
Medicine Hat Public Library- $1,500
Post Teens Program
Shortgrass Library- $1,500
Teen Programming Kits