Grants

Objectives

• Promote and encourage active engagement and volunteerism
• Foster a sense of belonging
• Promote social inclusion
• Develop and maintain healthy relationships
• Enhance access to social supports
• Develop and strengthen skills that build resilience

Priorities

1. Aging well

• Supporting social, emotional and physical health
• Supporting aging in place
• Improving quality of life
• Building skills or increasing knowledge

2. Inclusion and diversity

• Intergenerational programming and mentorship
• Collaborating with diverse communities, ethnicities or groups
• Supporting seniors in rural and remote locations
• Reducing stigma and ageism or promoting positive messages on aging

3. Connection and engagement

• Increasing social networks
• Providing affordable solutions to enable access and inclusion
• Providing volunteer opportunities and engaging new volunteers
• Supporting digital literacy

Grant amounts

• A maximum of $15,000 will be distributed by Leduc County to suitable applicants based on the project, program or event’s alignment with the funding objectives and priorities outlined above.
• If there are not enough suitable applicants, not all funding may be distributed.
• Approved applicants may not receive the entire amount requested.
• Final funding decisions will be approved by Leduc County Council.

Conditions of funding

• Funds must be spent within 12 months of being received unless otherwise approved by Leduc County.
• Organizations will not receive funding from multiple grant programs for the same project, program or event.
• Organizations will only receive one grant per project, program or event per year.

• The organization or group must currently serve Leduc County residents, the event held in Leduc County and identify as one of the following:
  • A not-for-profit organization, such as a seniors centre, recreation group, cultural club or community hall group.
  • A coalition, network, committee or group of individuals committed to working together.
  • A for-profit organization, provided that the nature and intent of the activity is non-commercial and does not generate profit.
    
    
• Partnerships between multiple groups or organizations are encouraged.
• Eligible projects, programs or events can be social and/or recreational in nature
• Eligible projects, programs or events must focus on a minimum of one priority:
  • Aging well
  • Inclusion and diversity
  • Connection and engagement

Examples

• Community social luncheons with a guest speaker on scams and frauds targeting seniors
• Physical activities focused on aging and mobility
• Intergenerational paint nights for seniors and youth
• Program to teach seniors digital literacy and online safety
• Reducing fees for seniors to encourage more participation in community events
• Developing a new program to engage new senior volunteers

Ineligible organizations

• Municipalities.
• For-profit organizations where the nature and intent of the activity is commercial and generates profit.
• Religious organizations, unless they are engaged in a project, program or event that benefits seniors from the entire community.
• Any organization or group whose projects, programs or events targeting people under the age of 55.
• Any organization or group that is not in good standing with Leduc County.

Ineligible expenses

• Projects, programs or events fully funded by other sources
• Clubs, groups or organizations that are not open to the general public
• Projects/programs/events that are not open to Leduc County seniors
• Projects/programs/events that are solely recreational or social
• Renovations or operational expenses
• Wages or subsidies directly paid to staff, volunteers, or participants
• Fundraising or administration costs
• Travel costs for organizers
• Retroactive project/program/event costs

Submissions for the Leduc County seniors grant program will be accepted from Jan. 2 to Jan. 31, 2025.

• Application forms are available online at www.leduc-county.com/grants or from the FCSS department. Please call 780-979-2385 to request a paper copy of the application form.
• Completed applications will be accepted by webform, email, fax, or drop off.
  • Email applications to fcssinfo@leduc-county.com or fax to 780-955-4765.
  • Drop off at Leduc County Centre – 4th floor FCSS, 101-1101 5 St. Nisku, AB. ATTN: Sara
• Please contact Sara Russell, Manager of Community Supports, if you have questions about the application process, wish to discuss ideas, or need to make adjustments to submitted applications.
  • phone: 780-955-6424 or email: sara@leduc-county.com  
• Applications will be reviewed by Leduc County.
• Council will review recommendations and award final grant approval in February 2025.
• Cheques will be issued to successful applicants by March 31, 2025.  
• Successful applicants will be required to complete a final report no later than March 31, 2026 unless otherwise approved by Leduc County.

Beginning Jan. 2, apply online below or download and submit a paper copy. Applications will be accepted from Jan. 2 to Jan. 31, 2025.

The online application will be available on January 2, 2025; for more information, please contact fcssinfo@leduc-county.com

Review the seniors grant program funding guidelines 

To discuss your idea prior to applying, reach out to Sara Russell at 780-955-6424 or sara@leduc-county.com.

Assessment criteria

All eligible applicants will be reviewed by Leduc County Family and Community Support Services. The evaluation of applications will be reviewed using, but not limited to, the following criteria:

• The project, program or event enhances social opportunities to a broad base of local seniors
• Contribution to quality of life, social participation and inclusion of local seniors
• Viability of the initiative
• Organizational competence
• Fiscal responsibility and viability

Sponsorship recognition

The grant funding guidelines require recognition of Leduc County as a sponsor of the project, program or special event by one or all of the following:

• Social media mentions
• Website
• Newsletter 
• Displaying the County's approved sponsorship poster
  • Download the recognition of sponsorship guidelines
  • Download the County approved poster

Final report form

• Grant recipients must submit a final report form upon completion of their funded activities and submit to Leduc County along with photos and required supporting documents.
• Organizations with an outstanding final report form for a grant from a previous year will not be eligible.
• Download a final report form for 2024

Grant details

Applicants may apply for the Arts and Culture grant (suggested up to $2,000) for arts and culture-related projects, programs and special events taking place in the Leduc County region.

Applicants may apply for the Recreation and Sport grant (suggested up to $2,000) for recreation and sports related projects, programs and special events taking place within the four regional recreation zones: Town of New Sarepta, Town of Calmar, Town of Thorsby and Village of Warburg).

Applications to both grant opportunities (combined suggested up to $4,000) may be considered. The applications must be for a different project, program or special event.

Applications for the Operating Assistance grant (suggested up to $1,000) will not be eligible for the Arts and Culture or the Recreation and Sports grants. 

All grant applications must meet the funding and eligibility requirements and may not receive the full funding amounts requested.

Eligibility

Grant funding must meet the following criteria

• Applicants may be a charitable, non-profit society including those registered under the Societies Act, Libraries Act or Agricultural Societies Act.
• Non-registered individuals or groups may apply providing they abide by the rules and conditions provided by Leduc County.
• Projects, programs and special events must be publicly advertised and available to residents of Leduc County.
• Applicants must provide all details in the grant application, including an operating grant or project, program or event budget information.  

Ineligible organizations

• Municipalities.
• For-profit organizations. 
• Facilities or programs that already receive operating assistance, or special event, project or program funding from Leduc County.
• Organizations, facilities or programs that already receive funding through the recreation cost-share agreements between Leduc County and the Village of Warburg, the towns of Thorsby, Calmar and Devon, and the cities of Beaumont and Leduc. 
• Religious organizations, unless engaged in a significant project that benefits the entire community.
• Any organization or group that is not in good standing with Leduc County may be ineligible for funding. 
• Organizations with an outstanding final report form for a grant from a previous year.

Ineligible expenses

• Wages to support individuals.
• Fundraising or administration costs.
• Travel costs.
• Projects, programs and special event costs that are already funded through the school board.
• Retroactive projects, programs and special event costs.
• Renovations.

Application process

• Organization's most recent financial statement.
• Current list of board or committee members.

• Plan for recognizing Leduc County as a funding organization (see Funding guidelines and recognition of sponsorship).

Note:
• Incomplete applications submitted without the above information will not be eligible.

Assessment criteria

All eligible applicants will be reviewed by the Leduc County Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee using, but not limited to, the following criteria:

• The project, program or special event provides community value, encourages arts or culture, physical activity and increased inclusion to participants in sports and recreation.
• New or expanded opportunities for residents to participate in programs, services or special event.
• Contributes to quality of life, community engagement and community development to Leduc County residents.
• Viability and sustainability of the initiative.
• Organizational competence.

Funding guidelines and sponsorship recognition

Funding guidelines

Community groups receiving funds from the Community Association grant program must adhere to the grant funding guidelines. They must:

• Demonstrate they meet the assessment criteria and fully complete an application form.
• Funds must be spent between January 1 to December 31, 2025, unless otherwise approved by Leduc County.
• Submit a final report form to Leduc County no later than 60 days following the completion of the project, program or special event, unless otherwise approved by Leduc County.
• You can find the final report forms for 2024 below.

Sponsorship recognition

The grant funding guidelines require recognition of Leduc County as a sponsor of the project, program or special event by one or all of the following:

• Social media mentions
• Website
• Newsletter 
• Displaying the County's approved sponsorship poster
  • Download the recognition of sponsorship guidelines 
  • Download the County approved sponsor poster

The final report form is part of the funding requirements and due no later than 60 days after completion of your approved project, program or special event.

A final report form must be submitted with photographs and / or video.

Organizations with an outstanding final report form for a grant from a previous year will not be eligible.

• Fill out a final report for 2024 online
• Download a final report form for 2024