Legacy Fund Society awards legacy funds to not-for-profits across Alberta

The 2019 Canada Winter Games Legacy Fund Society has awarded the financial legacy from the 2019 Games to not-for-profit sport and community organizations across Alberta.

“The Legacy Fund Society is pleased to announce that we have awarded $655,000 in grants to 35 not-for-profit sport and community organizations across Alberta,” said Guy Pelletier, Legacy Fund Society Chair. “The grants support a wide variety of projects across the province. These organizations and their respective projects build on the numerous legacies of the 2019 Games.”

Through a grant application process in early 2021, the Legacy Fund Society received and reviewed funding requests for 200 projects from nearly 150 organizations at a value of over $7.1 million.‍

“The response to our call for applications was phenomenal. There was no shortage of meaningful and innovative projects,” said Pelletier.

“The 2019 Canada Games in Red Deer were truly transformative and continue to foster meaningful legacies across Alberta,” said Kelly-Ann Paul, Senior Vice-President of Host Relations at the Canada Games Council. “These legacy grants will enrich and uplift organizations and communities as we strive to strengthen the fabric of Canada through the power of sport.”

Requests for funding were reviewed and evaluated based on their alignment with the values of the 2019 Games and distributed in four categories: athlete and coach or official development; infrastructure or equipment development or acquisition; sport development capacity building; and non-sport or discretionary projects.

The following is a listing of the organizations who were awarded funding:

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“The Legacy Fund Society is now accepting funding applications from Alberta-based sport and community not-for-profits until April 2,” said Guy Pelletier, Legacy Fund Society Chair. “Requests for funding will be reviewed based on their alignment with the values of the 2019 Games and accepted in four categories: athlete and coach or official development; infrastructure or equipment development or acquisition; sport development capacity building; and non-sport or discretionary projects.”

Not-for-profit sport and community organizations in Alberta are encouraged to review the Legacy Fund Society’s application form and criteria available online here. Organizations may also email [email protected] for a copy of the application form.

The original intention of the Legacy Fund Society was to disburse the financial legacy during one granting period; however, given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sport and community organizations, future grant allocation opportunities may be necessary. Applications for the initial funding opportunity are open until April 2, 2021, at midnight.

Today’s announcement builds on the numerous legacies the 2019 Games left in Alberta. These legacies include investing $14.5 million across five capital projects; acting as a catalyst for over $200 million in infrastructure projects in the region; distributing over $500,000 in sport equipment and assets to over 40 local and provincial sport organizations and not-for-profits; building a strong, trained volunteer base for future events; donating 3,000 pairs of mittens and toques, as well as thousands of meals, to the Mustard Seed; and supporting $110.3 million in economic activity in Alberta.

2019 Canada Winter Games Host Society

“Thanks to the sound planning and execution by our Board, volunteers and staff and the amazing support of our Funding Parties, sponsors, donors and community partners, we are thrilled to build on the legacies of the 2019 Games with a significant legacy fund,” said Lyn Radford, 2019 Canada Winter Games Board Chair.

Government of Canada

“The Government of Canada is proud of its contribution to the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer,” said the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Heritage. “The Games not only allowed athletes from the region to perform in their hometown, but also gave all Canadians the opportunity to watch athletes and teams from across the country excel and make us proud. I congratulate the Host Society for ensuring that the legacies of the Games will keep having positive impacts for years to come.”

Government of Alberta

“I applaud the 2019 Canada Winter Games Legacy Fund Society for their excellent work in delivering this substantial legacy fund,” said the Honourable Leela Aheer, Minister of Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women. “Red Deer’s 2019 Canada Winter Games was a very successful and memorable event that gave an opportunity to Canada’s next generation of athletes to continue their sport development. The decision to share the legacy fund with the province’s non-profit sport organizations is commendable since it will provide further opportunities to support Alberta athletes in their development journey.”

City of Red Deer

“Red Deer is stronger for having hosted the 2019 Canada Winter Games. It ignited our community spirit, transformed our city through new and upgraded infrastructure, and it now brings us a legacy fund to continue to help future generations and community organizations with sustainable funding,” said Mayor Tara Veer. “We are grateful for the outstanding support from our partners, the corporate sector, our 5,000 incredible volunteers, staff and our community as a whole for positioning our city for a prosperous future in sport, culture, recreation and community life.”

Canada Games Council

“The 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer were a tremendous success. In addition to the infrastructure, sport programming, and social legacies of the Games, the Canada Games Council is thrilled to see the distribution of a financial legacy to benefit sport and culture in Red Deer and central Alberta,” said Evan Johnston, Chair of the Canada Games Council.

2019 Canada Winter Games Legacy Fund

What is the 2019 Canada Winter Games Legacy Fund?

From February 15 until March 2, 2019, Red Deer and central Alberta hosted the 2019 Canada Winter Games. Hosting the 2019 Games left a lasting legacy of new and enhanced sport facilities, volunteer and leadership development and a financial legacy in the form of a $650,000 legacy fund. This legacy fund will be distributed to Alberta not-for-profit sport and community groups through a grant application process running from February 10 until April 2, 2021.

How can I apply?

Applications are being accepted online through a Google Form here. Online submissions require a Google account to access and complete. If you do not have access to a Google account and require a copy of the application form to fill out, please email [email protected].

Who can apply for funding through the 2019 Canada Winter Games Legacy Fund?

1. Applications will be considered from Alberta not-for-profit organizations that have a mandate for the development of sport locally, regionally or provincially and are affiliated with a recognized provincial sport organization in good standing. The Legacy Fund Society will not accept applications from individual athletes or coaches/officials; however, the Society will accept applications for athlete and coach/official development programs and organizations.

2. Applications will be accepted from Alberta community organizations for non-sport purposes and activities provided they build community capacity and reflect the values of the 2019 Canada Winter Games.

What information do I need to provide as part of the application process?

You are asked to provide:

1. Organizational information, including your organizational structure and business plan and/or financial statements;

2. A brief description of the project with an explanation of how the grant dollars will be spent, impact the community in a positive manner and how the project aligns with the 2019 Games’ values;

3. Motion from the applying organization’s Board of Directors approving an application for Legacy Funds and a statement outlining the process for the use of the funds and accountability protocol in place to ensure alignment with the application; and

4. Letters of support from all stakeholders impacted by the application or from organizations that will benefit from the grant and support the application. Up to five letters can be submitted.

Can I apply for a project that won’t take place until 2022?

Given the ongoing effects of COVID-19 on many organizations, applicants are permitted to apply for events or activities that may take place beyond 2021. The applicant must provide specifics as to the timeline for the use of grant allocations. Hold backs may be in place for deferred events/activities.

Can I make a funding request for on-going expenses?

Applications may be made for projects that will be expended over time. In these instances, the grant allocations may have a hold back pending confirmation of the ongoing need for future grant allocations. Organizations that are applying for funds to be expended in the future should identify the timelines for these expenditures.

Can I apply for funding for regular, operational costs?

All applications that meet the application criteria and demonstrate alignment with the 2019 Games’ values will be considered. This may include requests to fund operational costs. Requests to offset operating costs should demonstrate how that request provides for sustainable funding within their business model.

What is the maximum amount of funding that an organization may request?

There is no specific funding request maximum. The Legacy Fund Society will look to support as many projects as possible with meaningful grants.

What are the application categories?

Applications will be accepted in four categories: athlete and coach or official development; infrastructure or equipment development or acquisition; sport development capacity building; and non-sport or discretionary projects.

What is the 2019 Canada Winter Games Legacy Fund Society?

The 2019 Canada Winter Games Legacy Fund Society was formed in 2018 with the mandate to create a process to disburse the financial legacy of the 2019 Canada Winter Games to support not-for-profit sport and community organizations in the province of Alberta. While evaluating applications, the Legacy Fund Society will be guided by the values of the 2019 Canada Winter Games.

What are the values of the 2019 Canada Winter Games?

The values of the 2019 Games are:

1) Innovative – Surprising solutions;

2) Collaborative – Stronger together;

3) Sustainable – Future generations matter;

4) Frontier Spirit – Raise the barn;

5) Inclusive – Everybody’s in;

6) Authentic – True to our roots;

7) Tenacious – All stones turned.

Will there be another granting period in 2022?

The original intention of the Legacy Fund Society was to disburse the financial legacy in one granting period; however, given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sport and community organizations, future grant allocation opportunities may be necessary. The first granting period is open from February 10 until April 2, 2021. If another granting opportunity is available, a call for applications will be issued.

Where can I get more information?

If you have any questions regarding the application form or the application process, please email [email protected].