Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Town of Strathmore

The Town of Strathmore is a municipal government in Alberta that plays an active role in community funding through its Family and Community Support Services (FCSS). Under a council-approved FCSS Grant Funding Board and in partnership with United Way of Calgary and Area, the Town distributes financial support to local non-profit organizations. These grants are grounded in the provincial Family and Community Support Services Act and Regulation, ensuring that funded initiatives are preventative, community-based, and focused on improving social well-being.

The FCSS/United Way grant program supports a wide range of non-profit agencies delivering services such as mental health supports, child, youth and family programs, and services for seniors. Each year, the Town runs a defined intake period, with application deadlines, clear eligibility requirements, and published lists of funded organizations. Recent examples of funded recipients include local societies, arts and health partnerships, and immigrant services providers.

Strathmore FCSS focuses its grants on three main priority areas: mental health supports, child, youth and family supports, and seniors supports. Programs must demonstrate a prevention focus, helping people develop coping skills, social connections, independence, and resilience before crises emerge. Funded activities typically include community education, skill-building workshops, social inclusion initiatives, and coordinated supports for vulnerable residents.

Preference is given to registered non-profit organizations that align with FCSS and United Way priorities and operate within or for the benefit of Strathmore residents. The Town explicitly excludes funding for for-profit entities, non-registered charities, direct financial assistance, hospitals, capital projects, political or religious activities, and services that duplicate existing government programs.

The Town provides a consolidated FCSS/United Way grant application package, which combines both the proposal form and reporting requirements in a single document. Applicants must submit detailed program descriptions, budgets, and supporting letters within the stated intake window. Multi-program applications are allowed, provided each program has distinct needs, goals, and methods and meets FCSS eligibility criteria.

Programs are evaluated against community needs, alignment with the FCSS Act and United Way funding agreement, and the Town’s mission to build inclusive communities, strong families, and resilient individuals. The Town and its partners require outcome reporting from all funded programs, emphasizing measurable improvements in social well-being, such as reduced isolation, stronger family relationships, better mental health, and increased community participation.

Through this funding role, the Town of Strathmore enhances the capacity of local organizations to deliver prevention-based services. Grants enable agencies to run initiatives like early childhood and family supports, arts and inclusion projects, immigrant support services, and seniors programming. In addition to grantmaking, FCSS connects residents to benefits, food security programs, transportation, and volunteer opportunities, reinforcing the broader social safety net in Strathmore.