Grants up to $10,000 and grants up to $75,000 are available:

• To receive a grant of up to $10,000, applicants must have at least two community partners, in addition to the applicant.
• To receive a grant of up to $75,000, applicants must have at least four community partners, in addition to the applicant. In this category, at least one business sector partner is required, to encourage collaboration between not-for-profit agencies and local businesses.

The Alberta government has provided more than $15 million in funding for 405 projects through the Community Incentive Fund since 2004. Some past projects include:

• a comprehensive training package for professionals supporting children exposed to family violence;
• a day camp for junior high students to learn about healthy relationship building; and
• expanded family violence support services to immigrant/refugee communities.

The Community Incentive Fund was developed to help communities take local action on family violence and bullying. For more information on the fund, or to apply for a grant, visit www.familyviolence.alberta.ca. The deadline to submit an application is February 13, 2009.

On the same website, more details are available on how government and communities have been working together to address family violence and bullying. The 2008 Taking Action on Family Violence and Bullying: Report to Albertans highlights key initiatives implemented over the last four years including increased funding to women’s shelters, a bullying prevention helpline, implementing the Alberta Relationship Threat Assessment and Management Initiative (ARTAMI) and amendments to the Protection Against Family Violence Act.