Pauline Desjardins, left, of the Peaks to Pines Residents Association receives $20,000 to support community initiatives. The awards were presented during a ceremony recognizing projects that strengthen and connect southern Alberta communities.
Herald contributor photo
Nicholas L. M. Allen
May 14, 2025
Crowsnest Pass and Pincher Creek groups receive funding from 2025 spring grant cycle
Organizations in the Crowsnest Pass and Pincher Creek area will benefit from tens of thousands of dollars in funding as part of the Community Foundation of Lethbridge and South-western Alberta’s spring 2025 grants.
Among the 49 successful applicants across the region, several local groups received funding through the Community Priorities Fund and the Henry S. Varley Fund for Rural Life, supporting initiatives that promote heritage preservation, community mobility, and senior well-being.
The Pincher Creek and District Historical Society received two major grants: $15,000 from the Community Priorities Fund to support construction of a replica pre-1960 fire station at Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village, and another $30,000 from the Varley Fund to document and share local oral histories. These stories will be made available online and at the museum to preserve the voices and experiences of Pincher Creek residents for future generations.
Crowsnest Pass based Peaks to Pines Residents Association was awarded $20,000, including $3,200 from a Field of Interest Fund, to expand the Crowsnest Cruisers service. This program offers accessible, affordable transportation for seniors and residents with mobility challenges, improving quality of life and reducing isolation across the municipality.
Also in the Pass, the Crowsnest Pass Family Resource Centre secured $12,730 from the Varley Fund to continue helping rural seniors access vital services, grants and programs tailored to their needs.
The Town of Pincher Creek will benefit from a $7,320 grant to help the Oldman Rose Society install a wrought iron fence to protect the rose garden outside the historic Lebel Mansion from deer.
The Pincher Creek and District Agricultural Society received $12,000 toward the replacement of a key maintenance tractor used to manage the grounds.
Meanwhile, the Pincher Creek Foundation received $3,000 to build raised garden beds for residents at the seniors’ housing facility, promoting wellness and accessibility for low-income seniors.
In total, over $500,000 was awarded to 49 organizations this spring. Of that, $111,874 came from the Henry S. Varley Fund for Rural Life, which honours the legacy of Pincher Creek rancher Bill Long and supports rural initiatives across southwestern Alberta.
“We have seen countless times how our funding transforms community,” said Charleen Davidson, executive director of the Community Foundation, “We congratulate all of the recipients and we thank our donors for their continued generosity.”
For more information about the Community Foundation’s grant programs, visit www.cflsa.ca.
