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April 15, 2009
Province builds on Albertans' donations to non-profits
Edmonton... From the YMCA to the 4-H, nearly 1,500 Alberta-based non-profit and charitable organizations will benefit from Alberta’s Community Spirit Program. Building on donations received from Albertans, organizations will use the dollars to further their delivery of community programs.
“Alberta’s non-profit and charitable organizations are helping to build strong communities across our province,” said Premier Ed Stelmach. “Support for these groups is important - especially in a time of economic uncertainty.”
The Community Spirit Program received 1,592 applications for the donation grant in 2008. Of these, 1,496 were approved and will share in a total of $19 million in grant funding. The remaining $1 million of the first year budget was used for program operating and start-up costs, including an education campaign and information sessions.
“Whatever the donation amount is, Albertans know the importance of charitable giving,” said Lindsay Blackett, Minister of Culture and Community Spirit. “This program is a way for eligible organizations to receive additional funds as a result of cash donations they already worked so hard to obtain.”
The goal of the Community Spirit Program is to help increase private charitable donations by individual Albertans to Alberta’s non-profit and charitable organizations. The program is donor-driven, meaning Albertans decide where they want the funding to go based on where they donate.
All of the approved 2008 applicants will have up to the first $10,000 of their eligible cash donations matched dollar for dollar. Individual cash donations between $10,001 and $25,000 are matched at a rate of 50 per cent and donations over $25,000 are matched at a rate of 22.67 per cent. This proportional grant will vary year to year depending on the eligible cash donations received by organizations and the program budget. Approval letters have been sent to the successful recipients, with cheques to follow over the next few weeks.
The donation grant is available to all eligible non-profit organizations and Canada Revenue Agency-registered charities incorporated and operating in Alberta. It is funded through the Alberta Lottery Fund. Budget 2009 confirmed an additional $20 million to continue the program in 2009.
Two components make up the donor-driven Community Spirit Program: the donation grant and the approximately $80-million enhanced charitable tax credit, which allows Albertans to receive a 50-cent tax credit for every dollar donated over $200. For more information on the program, including a list of 2008 grant recipients and grant amounts, please visit www.communityspiritprogram.ca
Backgrounder: A sampling of non-profit and charitable organizations that will benefit from the program and examples of how the 2008 grants were calculated.
Media inquiries may be directed to:
Shawna Cass, Communications |
Tom Olsen |
To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.
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Community Spirit Program benefits hundreds of organizations across Alberta
Below are examples of how the 2008 donation grants were calculated:
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$6,280.00 |
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The applicant receives a donation grant matched at a rate of: |
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$10,000.00 |
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$ 3,200.00 |
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Total |
$13,200.00 |
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The applicant receives a donation grant matched at the rate of: |
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$10,000.00 |
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$7,500.00 |
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$2,947.11 |
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Total |
$20,447.11 |
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Media inquiries may be directed to:
Shawna Cass, Communications
Culture and Community Spirit
780-427-6530
To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.
April 15, 2009Organizations receiving Community Spirit Program donation grants
A full list of the 2008 Community Spirit Program donation grant recipients can be found at www.communityspiritprogram.ca.
Examples of the groups receiving Community Spirit program donation grants, include:
Alberta AdaptAbilities Association
Alberta AdaptAbilities Association provides families with special needs children and youth, a variety of quality group respite programming that targets the development of the whole child; socially, physically, mentally and emotionally. The association will receive a $6,573 donation grant, which will help to provide increased program coordinator hours which will benefit families with special needs children.
Contact: Michelle Hordal, 780-431-8446
Canadian Diabetes Association
Through research, education, service, and advocacy, the Canadian Diabetes Association works to prevent type 2 diabetes and to improve the quality of life for those affected by type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes. The association will receive a $25,000 donation grant, which will help to support the Traveling Diabetes Resource Program, a public education program to promote the health of Albertans.
Contact: Richard Dimitriou, Marketing and Communications Associate, 780-423-5722 ext. 240
Changing Together: A Centre for Immigrant Women
The centre is operated by immigrant women for immigrant women. Its mission is to assist immigrant women and their families overcome personal and systematic barriers that keep them from fully participating in Canadian society. The centre will receive a $14,410.50 donation grant, which will help support programs like English as a Second Language and prevention of family violence, conversation and computer classes, as well as daycare.
Contact: Josephine Pallard, 780-421-0175
Dogs with Wings Assistance Dog Society
Initially providing dogs for persons with visual impairment, Dogs with Wings trains dogs to assist people with various disabilities. In 2007, it continued to meet changing community needs by the addition of an Autism Service Dog Program. The society will receive a $25,000 donation grant, which will help to obtain and outfit a new training facility to include the provision of Autism Service Dogs.
Contact: John Wheelwright, 780-944-8011
4-H Foundation of Alberta
The 4-H Foundation of Alberta seeks, receives, and administers resources to enhance 4-H in Alberta. Its mandate has broadened to include administering provincial, regional and district scholarship funds, and securing funds to ensure 4-H has resources to remain a strong youth program. The foundation will receive a $25,000 donation grant, which will go towards workshops and clinics for development of 4-H members and volunteer leaders.
Contact: Joan Stone, 780-682-2153
Friends of St. Albert Children’s Theatre Society
The Friends of St. Albert Children’s Theatre Society supports theatre arts for youth and encourages youth’s contribution to community leadership. It ensures all children receive the opportunity to become involved. The Friends Society supports children from economically disadvantaged homes through a scholarship program and ensures that the theatre’s programs are accessible to children with special needs. The society will receive a $5,038.20 donation grant, which will assist with training workshops for youth and upgrading equipment.
Contact: Maurice Brunelle, 780-483-5028
YMCA of Edmonton
The YMCA of Edmonton provides health and wellness programs as an integral part of its mission to help people build a healthy spirit, mind and body. It is a volunteer-based, charitable organization that has fulfilled a mission based on helping individuals from every walk of life, regardless of circumstance. The YMCA will receive a $25,000 donation grant, which will help to make programs more available to low-income Albertans.
Contact: Janet Tryhuba, 780-423-9602
Media inquiries may be directed to:
Shawna Cass, Communications
Culture and Community Spirit
780-427-6530
To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.
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