Grant and Funding Programs Offered by St. Albert Community Foundation (SASCF)

The St. Albert Sturgeon Community Foundation is a community foundation based in St. Albert, Alberta, serving St. Albert, Sturgeon County and nearby areas. Established in 1997 as the St. Albert Community Foundation, it pools donations into endowed funds whose investment income is used to support local charitable activities. The Foundation distributes grants to registered charities and qualified donees, and manages a portfolio of community, donor‑advised, designated and scholarship funds.

The Foundation’s grants focus on improving quality of life. Priority program areas include youth, social services, seniors, arts and culture, and recreation, with additional emphasis on education, environment and mental health. Funding is available to qualified charitable organizations that have been in existence for more than one year and are registered charities. The Board reviews and decides on grant applications annually, and special call cycles such as spring grant rounds are opened through an online application form.

Through its various funds, the Foundation supports a wide range of community service organizations: hospitals and health foundations, literacy and education groups, youth programs, food security organizations, arts and culture organizations, and family and seniors’ services. The Grant History section documents year‑by‑year awards with recipient names and amounts, showing consistent granting activity since at least 2012. As of 2025, the Foundation reports having distributed more than $1.5 million to community service organizations since 2010.

In addition to project and program grants, the Foundation administers numerous scholarships, bursaries and awards for students attending schools in St. Albert and Sturgeon County. Named scholarships commemorate community members, families or events, and support studies in areas such as fine arts and design, music, leadership, perseverance in education, and other post‑secondary pursuits.

The Foundation offers several fund types: community funds directed by the Board, field‑of‑interest and designated funds earmarked for specific causes or organizations, and donor‑advised funds where donors or families help recommend annual grant recipients. Corporate named funds and individual and family funds further broaden the pool of capital available for local grants and scholarships. Endowments are invested in partnership with the Edmonton Community Foundation, and a portion of the annual income is returned as grants to be allocated by the Foundation’s directors.

Donors can plan their legacy by creating named endowment funds, contributing to existing funds, or establishing scholarship, bursary or award funds. The Foundation positions itself as a “charity for charities”, simplifying giving for donors who wish to support multiple local causes through a single, professionally managed structure.

The Foundation is governed by a volunteer board of community leaders from St. Albert, Sturgeon County and the surrounding region, and is managed by an Executive Director. Assets are professionally managed, and the Foundation follows Canada Revenue Agency guidance in disbursing a portion of capital each year. Audited financial statements are published annually on the website, providing transparency on fund balances, investment arrangements with the Edmonton Community Foundation, and the scale of community granting. Fund holders receive reports on fund performance and follow‑up information on grant recipients and the use of grant funds.