Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Soroptimist International of Calgary (SIOC)

Soroptimist International of Calgary is a local club of the global Soroptimist movement dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls through access to education and training. Chartered in 1934, the Calgary club focuses its resources on empowering women and girls in Calgary, southern Alberta and, in some cases, abroad. It combines direct awards to individuals with grants to community organizations whose activities advance women’s education and economic independence.

The club administers several recurring award programs. The Live Your Dream: Education and Training Awards for Women provide cash grants that can be used flexibly for tuition, books, childcare, transportation and other education-related costs. The Dare to Dream Award offers a $1,000 cash award specifically for single women in southern Alberta who are supporting themselves while upgrading their education or job skills. The Making a Difference for Women Award recognizes women who have had a significant impact on the lives of other women and girls, highlighting leadership and community contribution.

Beyond individual awards, Soroptimist International of Calgary operates a formal fund disbursement process for non-profit organizations. Through its “Apply For Funding” program, local groups can submit applications for projects that align with the Soroptimist mission of providing women and girls with the education and training needed for economic empowerment. Applications follow a structured process with a downloadable form, required attachments and an annual deadline, and are reviewed by a Fund Disbursement Committee.

Organizations previously supported through monetary grants and volunteerism include women’s shelters, immigrant women’s associations, addiction treatment centres for women, programs for young mothers, skills training initiatives, and international education projects for girls and women. This mix of local and international recipients demonstrates the club’s dual focus on community-based impact and global solidarity.

The primary beneficiaries of Soroptimist International of Calgary’s funding are women and girls facing economic or social barriers to education. Individual awards target single women, student parents, newcomers needing language upgrading, and women seeking skills training to improve their employment prospects. Organizational grants reach broader populations through partner agencies that deliver services such as shelter, counselling, mentoring, vocational training and leadership development.

In addition to financial assistance, the club supports programs like Dream It, Be It: Career Support for Girls, which offers high school girls career education, role models and goal-setting workshops. Taken together, these awards, grants and programs position Soroptimist International of Calgary as an important community funder and advocate for women’s education and economic empowerment in the Calgary region.