Field Law received a record 175 applications and more than 51,000 votes for Community Fund Program Ideas

Field Law is pleased to announce the recipients of $80,000 in funding to important initiatives across Alberta and the Northwest Territories (NWT) as part of the 2024 Field Law Community Fund Program. New this year was the Next Gen Award for ideas put forward by post-secondary students to benefit their campus or community.

This year, more than 51,000 votes were cast during the online voting period for the Community Fund Program. That is more than 11,000 additional votes compared to last year. In addition, a record 175 applications for funding were received.

Of the $80,000 being awarded, $30,000 will go to each of northern and southern Alberta, $15,000 to the NWT and the remaining $5,000 makes up the Next Gen Award.

“Everyone at Field Law is grateful to all those who submitted ideas and cast a vote for their favourite ones,” says Field Law Managing Partner Jeremiah Kowalchuk. “The last two years have been record-breaking in terms of applications, demonstrating a great need for community giving programs and organizations in need of support. We are consistently impressed by the quality and diversity of applicants. Congratulations to all those who received funding today.”

In southern Alberta, representing the area south of and including Red Deer, nine applicants have been awarded a share of $30,000 in funds:

• The Immigrant Education Society ($10,000) – The Legal Literacy Education Project aims to enhance the legal knowledge of newcomers, immigrants and refugees leading to a better understanding of their rights and responsibilities.
• Community Cruisers ($5,000) – The Bike All Winter program aims to increase the number and visibility of people using bikes in the Bow Valley area over the winter months.
• Airdrie P.O.W.E.R. ($3,500) – Funds will support the Take Back the Reins Workshop for individuals who have left an abusive relationship and are moving forward with their lives. The workshop will use equine facilitated wellness to provide emotional support and empowerment.(Fielders’ Choice Award)
• Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society ($2,500) – The Community Pet Wellness Clinic provides support to pet owners who may otherwise struggle to provide food or veterinary visits for their pets.
• Pet Access League Society ($2,500) – PALS provides regular pet therapy sessions to seniors, students, children and others. The funds will allow PALS to purchase trading cards of the animals involved in pet therapy.
• Nutrition Students Teachers Exercising with Parents ($2,500) – The program provides financial literacy and food preparation skills to youth in Forest Lawn and other Calgary communities.
• Westmount Charter School ($2,000) – Funds will support the expansion of the school’s community garden and support work with Blackfoot and Tsuut’ina Elders to teach the Indigenous names for plants in the garden.
• Autism for Life Foundation ($1,000) – Funds will help expand the Autism ID card program, allowing people with autism and those who may be non-verbal to communicate with the community and create understanding of autism.
• Calgary Drop-In Centre ($1,000) – The funds will help provide hot meals for Calgary’s unhoused population.

In northern Alberta, representing the area north of Red Deer, nine applicants have been awarded funds.

• Old Strathcona Youth Society ($5,000) – OSYS provides resources, referrals and recreation to unhoused youth in the Old Strathcona area of Edmonton.
• Eastglen High School ($5,000) – The school’s athletic program will provide a ‘Sport Without Boundaries’ program in support of students who may not otherwise be able to participate in sport.
• M.E. LaZerte High School ($5,000) – The school’s athletics program will support students to participate in sport who may not otherwise have the opportunity.
• Abbott Elementary / Abbott Fundraising Society ($5,000) – The school plans to establish a ‘Care Closet’ to provide essential hygiene and personal care items some students may not be able to access at home.
• Tails of Help ($5,000) – The program will provide essential veterinary care for Albertans facing financial hardship, preventing unnecessary surrenders of household pets.
• Society of St. Vincent de Paul – Edmonton ($1,000) – The program will provide warm winter clothing for Edmonton’s unhoused population.
• Harmonia Sharing Music ($1,000) – Funding will allow a group of seven musicians to perform for the public for seniors, church groups and the public at small venues.
• Valley Zoo Development Society ($1,000) – The Breaking Barriers and Empowering Youth Through Conservation program will connect youth to conservation and allow them to participate in a field trip.
• Little Warriors ($2,000) – Funds will support the animal-assisted therapy program at the Little Warriors Be Brave Ranch. (Fielders’ Choice Award)

In the NWT, four ideas will split the $15,000 in available funds:

• Yellowknife Gymnastics Club ($6,000) – The Gymnastics for All program will break down financial barriers so that any child in Yellowknife can participate in gymnastics.
• Peer Support for Autism Families ($5,000) – This program will support monthly social gatherings for families supporting parents, caregivers and children living with autism.
• Kimberlite Career and Technical Centre ($2,000) – This centre supports high school students to learn a trade and will work towards improving the trades shortage in NWT.
• Sweetgrass Healing Centre ($2,000) - The project will provide access to Indigenous mental health care providers, Elders and healing practices. (Fielders’ Choice Award)

This year’s new Next Gen award for post-secondary students was awarded to Enactus - SAIT for Project UpSkill which will provide financial literacy education for those in addiction recovery in partnership with Simon House Recovery Centre.

Field Law has offices in Calgary, Canmore, Edmonton and Yellowknife. A core value for Field Law is giving back to the communities where the firm operates. Including the $80,000 awarded today, Field Law has contributed $915,000 over the last 12 years.

For a complete list of current and previous winners, please visit fieldlawcommunityfund.com.

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ABOUT FIELD LAW

Field Law is a western and northern regional business law firm with offices in Calgary, Canmore and Edmonton, Alberta, and Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. The firm is a proud, strong and independent firm with lawyers dedicated to professional excellence, client service and delivering value. More than 135 lawyers and 200 staff work together to provide a variety of legal services to businesses and institutions in corporate and commercial matters, litigation and dispute resolution, labour and employment, insurance, energy, intellectual property, privacy, professional regulatory and medical malpractice issues. Additionally, the firm provides private services to individuals including estate planning services, tax and real estate transactions.

Media Contact:

Mike Brown
Worthington PR & Story
For Field Law
mike@worthingtonpr.com

Cassie Martin
Worthington PR & Story
For Field Law
cassie@worthingtonpr.com