Grant and Funding Programs Offered by United Way Lethbridge & South Western Alberta

United Way Lethbridge & South Western Alberta is a community-based non-profit organization and registered charity that mobilizes local giving into strategic funding for programs and services across Lethbridge and southwestern Alberta. As part of the national United Way Centraide movement, the local United Way works with donors, businesses and volunteers to raise money and reinvest it in the region through its Community Fund and targeted initiatives.

The organization focuses its funding on three key pillars: From Poverty to Possibility, Healthy People Strong Communities, and All That Kids Can Be. Each year, registered charities in the catchment area – from the B.C. border east to Highway 36 and from the U.S. border north to Claresholm – can apply for Community Fund grants to run local programs aligned with these priorities.

United Way primarily provides grants to registered Canadian charities delivering front-line services. The Community Fund supports a network of agencies working on food security, housing stability, skills training, mental health, settlement support, disability inclusion, safety from violence, and positive child and youth development. Examples of funded partners include food banks, family support centres, mentoring organizations and agencies serving Indigenous people, newcomers and people with disabilities.

In addition to grants to organizations, United Way occasionally delivers direct financial assistance initiatives for individuals and families facing urgent hardship. The Boost program, created with support from ENMAX, offered one-time funding to help cover rent or utility arrears, reconnection fees, and basic needs for people who had exhausted other options. While Boost funding is currently closed, it illustrates the organization’s role as a last-resort safety net in times of crisis.

Community Fund grants are awarded through an annual cycle. Funding applications are typically available from late January to the end of March, with a clear online application form. Agencies must support United Way’s mission and vision, be registered charities, demonstrate community need, provide a detailed program budget, and deliver accessible services within Lethbridge or southwestern Alberta. Other criteria may be discussed directly with staff.

Decisions are informed by the Community Investment Impact Committee, a volunteer body drawn from a cross-section of the community. These volunteers review applications, assess local needs and recommend funding allocations to the Board of Directors, ensuring donor dollars are invested where they can have the greatest impact.

United Way Lethbridge & South Western Alberta emphasizes accountability to donors and partners. It publishes annual impact reports and audited financial statements, as well as research reports on topics such as poverty and recreation access in Lethbridge. The "Our Impact" and "Who We Fund" pages highlight funded agencies, program outcomes and the organization’s broader community impact framework.

Through its funding portfolio, the organization supports thousands of residents in areas such as poverty reduction, food security, housing, mental health, settlement, disability supports, violence prevention and youth development. Programs funded under "All That Kids Can Be" help children and youth succeed in school, build healthy relationships and participate in recreation and mentoring. The "From Poverty to Possibility" and "Healthy People Strong Communities" pillars focus on stabilizing families, enhancing safety and inclusion, and strengthening neighbourhoods.

By connecting local generosity with evidence-based community investments, United Way Lethbridge & South Western Alberta plays a central role in addressing both immediate needs and root causes of social issues across the region.