The Community Foundation of Medicine Hat and Southeastern Alberta today announced the opening of the application process for spring 2010 grants.

Applications will be accepted from today until the close of business on March 15, 2009. Qualified donees or organizations must hold a charitable registration number from the Canada Revenue Agency. The Community Foundation awards grants for charitable activities in the arts, education, social services, the environment, health, culture and recreation, or any project that will maintain or improve the quality of life in Southeastern Alberta.

In December the Community Foundation unveiled over $36,000 in community grants, and the organization hopes to provide much of the same benefit to area non-profits this spring.

“We are thrilled to once again give grants to worthy organizations in Southeastern Alberta,” said executive director Mike Christie. “While we have several priorities at the Community Foundation, giving grants to kick-start community projects is one of the most rewarding.”

Community Foundation donations are held in perpetuity, with the principal of the donation never being spent. The interest earned on donations is then used to give grants to community non-profit groups. Because of the economic downturn and resulting decrease in the foundation’s investment portfolio, community grants are smaller than in previous cycles.

“Our portfolio is recovering slowly but surely,” said Christie. “While it is upsetting that we do not have the funds that we had in years’ past, we still feel that we can make a big impact in the community with what we have to give.”

The grants committee of the Community Foundation will review the fall grant applications and notify recipients in May. Grants will then be handed out to the chosen organizations at the annual Founder’s Day Picnic on June 17.

To assist in the grant application process, the Community Foundation will host a “Grant Application Workshop” for all interested parties at a later date; details will be released shortly.

Because the Community Foundation of Medicine Hat and Southeastern Alberta has such a large service area, groups located from Wildhorse to Bassano to Consort, Alberta are welcome to apply for funds. For more information on eligibility or to receive an application, groups may visit www.mhcf.ca or call the Community Foundation office at (403) 527-9038.

For more information, please contact Mike Christie at (403) 527-9038.