Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Spruce Meadows Leg Up Foundation

The Spruce Meadows Leg Up Foundation is the official charitable arm of Spruce Meadows and a registered Canadian charity (No. 82168 3364 RR0001). Created in 2015, it channels funds raised through tournaments, 50/50 draws, special events such as the UNSTOPPABLE gala, charity golf tournaments and individual donations into community programs and partner organizations. The Foundation focuses on five pillars: Education, Health & Wellness, Amateur & Grassroots Sport, Community, and Agriculture.

Operating primarily in Calgary, Foothills County and surrounding Alberta communities, the Foundation distributes hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to local and national charities. Recent community reports document annual donation totals exceeding $500,000 and a cumulative impact of more than $2.6 million, directed to food banks, veterans’ organizations, mental health and domestic violence services, youth centres, literacy initiatives, inclusion and newcomer programs, and animal welfare and therapeutic riding organizations.

While the Foundation runs some of its own education programming—most notably the free School Tours Education Program for grades 4–6 and the Lucy Tries Soccer literacy and movement initiative—most of its resources are granted to external qualified donees. Charities that align with its pillars can apply at any time; there are no fixed deadlines. Eligible applicants must be registered charities or other qualified donees recognized by the Canada Revenue Agency, and their work must fit within at least one of the five priority areas.

Funding is provided through several mechanisms: direct donations to charities selected through an open application process; proceeds from 50/50 draws at Spruce Meadows show jumping tournaments, Cavalry FC soccer games and the International Christmas Market; and targeted campaigns such as Jump for Jasper or the UNSTOPPABLE gala, which each year raises six‑figure sums for a featured cause. In 2024, the Foundation also created an Endowment Fund, seeded with a $500,000 donation, to support long‑term granting across its pillars.

The Foundation’s grants support a wide range of beneficiaries: children and youth in vulnerable communities, newcomers and refugees, Indigenous youth, people living with cancer or chronic illness, women and families fleeing domestic violence, veterans and first responders, people experiencing homelessness, and citizens affected by food insecurity. Community reports list dozens of recipient organizations, including food banks in Airdrie, Calgary, Cochrane, Okotoks and Tsuut’ina, youth centres in Calgary, therapeutic riding associations, mental health agencies, literacy and education partners, and local community associations.

By combining event‑based fundraising with ongoing donations, the Spruce Meadows Leg Up Foundation plays a significant role in Alberta’s philanthropic and grant‑making ecosystem. Its flexible, pillar‑based approach allows it to respond quickly to emerging needs—such as wildfire recovery or rising food insecurity—while maintaining sustained support for education, sport and health programs that build stronger, more resilient communities.