Today is Farmer's Day in Alberta, a day to celebrate the farmers and ranchers who grow our food. In keeping with this celebration, and following last year's commemorative announcement of the newly formed UFA Agricultural Community Foundation (UFA Foundation), we are pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for the 2025 Rural Communities (RC) Grant Program.
The UFA Foundation is dedicated to supporting projects that enrich education, recreation and culture for the betterment of agricultural communities. The RC Grant Program specifically provides capital funding opportunities for organizations in the communities UFA serves.
Charitable and non-profit organizations, along with community service-oriented co-operatives, are invited to apply for a $10,000 to $40,000 funding grant for capital projects that support recreational, educational, and cultural facilities and programs, enriching rural life in the agricultural community. In total, $100,000 in funding grants will be awarded in 2025.
"The UFA Agricultural Community Foundation was built on the fundamental belief that we are stronger when we work together," says Kimberly MacDonald, UFA Manager, Community Investment. "Through the Rural Communities Grant Program, the UFA Foundation is investing in the agricultural community by supporting rural capital projects that will be most impactful to its members."
"The Rural Communities Grant Program enables the UFA Agricultural Community Foundation to dedicate funding to build and improve facilities that are integral to rural life in the agricultural community," says UFA Foundation Advisory Board Chair, Kevin Hoppins. "We are not just investing in capital projects. We are investing in a legacy of growth and opportunity in the agricultural community for generations to come."
To learn more and complete the online application, please visit UFAFoundation.com. Grant applications will be accepted until August 31, 2025, and grant recipients will be announced in October 2025.
2024 marked the inaugural year of the Rural Communities Grant program for the UFA Foundation, where $100,000 in funding grants were proudly provided to four local capital projects dedicated to the betterment of the agricultural community: The Kneehill Historical Society, Rimbey Agricultural Society, Weyburn Agricultural Society and the Wrentham Community Centre. For more information on each of the 2024 recipient projects, please click here.
The RC Grant funding program represents a portion of the UFA Foundation's 2025 funding commitment of $1 million. Through this program and other initiatives, the UFA Foundation will invest in programs that enhance and sustain rural living, build resilience and strengthen local economies.
