Alberta Blue Cross® is thrilled to announce the recipients of the 2025 Community Wellbeing grant program.
“We were overwhelmed by the positive response to this program this year, with 699 applications from across the province,” says Brian Geislinger, senior vice-president of Corporate Relations and Community Engagement with Alberta Blue Cross®.
The Community Wellbeing grant program supports the diverse work of community organizations promoting the physical, mental and social wellbeing of Albertans. Launched in conjunction with the 75th Anniversary of Alberta Blue Cross® in 2023 and extended yearly after that, it awards 50 community organizations each with a $1,000 grant to support wellbeing in their communities and help Albertans thrive. This includes organizations that support newcomers and refugees, seniors, families, vulnerable youth, children, LGBTQ2S+, individuals with disabilities, individuals requiring mental health support, Indigenous Peoples and those with visible minorities.
Funding for the program is provided through the Alberta Blue Cross® community foundation. As Alberta’s largest provider of health and dental benefits, Alberta Blue Cross is committed to serving as a champion for wellbeing by promoting the health of Albertans.
The 2025 Alberta Blue Cross® Community Wellbeing grant recipients have incredible stories, highlighting their work. The full list of the 2025 recipients and their stories are available on the Alberta Blue Cross® community website. Below are a few of these province-wide stories.
Edmonton Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC)
The MFRC supports military families through the unique challenges of military life, including deployments, relocations and transitions due to injury or loss. Serving approximately 300 clients a year, the MFRC’s mental health and wellness team provides services such as crisis intervention, counselling and wellness programming. The Community Wellbeing grant will support their moms and parenting support groups, which help parents attend sessions led by midwives, doulas, nutritionists and more.
Bikers Are Buddies Foundation
Calgary’s Bikers Are Buddies Foundation raises awareness of the impact of bullying on youth through education, community outreach and fundraising. The Community Wellbeing grant will be used to purchase materials for its free education programs, which are offered to schools, youth groups, day programs, daycares and community events.
Elizabeth Métis Settlement Library Board
The Elizabeth Métis Settlement Library Board is a community library that promotes literacy, provides various resources such as internet and offer an inclusive space that honours, preserves and shares the cultures, language and histories of Indigenous people, with a special commitment to celebrating Métis heritage. The Community Wellbeing grant will be used to purchase programming supplies and resources for baking nights, ribbon sweater making, elder storytelling nights and a community garden.
Fort McMurray Boys and Girls Club
The Fort McMurray Boys and Girls Club supports vulnerable children, youth and families by creating safe spaces and programs that grow with the community. The club strives to help youth build confidence, develop life skills and thrive, with a focus on youth mental health, leadership, skill building and inclusive programming across Wood Buffalo. With the Community Wellbeing grant, the club will enhance its Limitless Youth program, which provides free programming for youth aged 10 to 15 through confidence-building activities, leadership development and opportunities to build life skills.
Mountain Plains Community Services Society of the North
Mountain Plains Community Services Society of the North in Grande Prairie supports vulnerable youth and adults with behavioural challenges or developmental disabilities, as well as teenagers experiencing housing instability, early pregnancy or difficulties transitioning into adulthood. The Community Wellbeing grant will be used to create an 8-month life skills enhancement program designed to strengthen the wellbeing of participants. This program will include health and wellness activities such as group fitness classes, along with art and music sessions to support emotional regulation.
Lethbridge Sport Council
The Lethbridge Sport Council supports local sport organizations through education, resource sharing and event promotion. Its programs help remove barriers to sport participation and create opportunities for all individuals to experience the benefits of an active lifestyle. The Community Wellbeing grant will support the Lethbridge Sport Equipment Distribution Centre, a community-led initiative that reduces financial barriers to sport by providing free or low-cost new and gently used equipment to children, youth and families in Lethbridge and surrounding areas.
Inclusion Foothills Association
The Inclusion Foothills Association in High River advocates and supports individuals with disabilities and their families or guardians to ensure they are valued as equal citizens and free from discrimination. It offers outreach services, family support, transition planning for youth moving into adulthood, children’s programming and pre-employment and employment services. The Community Wellbeing grant will support the YOU360 Family Support project to help youth aged 12 to 17 build skills, strengthen resilience and support their mental health and wellbeing.
Golden Circle of Red Deer’s Seniors’ Society
The Golden Circle of Red Deer’s Seniors’ Society provides programs, activities, information, resources and outreach for older adults, their families and caregivers. The Community Wellbeing grant will be used to cover facilitator fees, program materials and venue costs for its wellness program, Move Your Mood, which offers guided activities led by professionals specializing in movement therapy.
Cultivate Cochrane Society
Cultivate Cochrane Society empowers people to grow their own food in challenging climates through hands-on education using programs, events and workshops. The Community Wellbeing grant will be used to purchase supplies and expand workshop topics such as planting strategies and winter growing tips. It will also allow the society to provide take-home garden kits to all participants.
For more information, please contact Sharmin Hislop, director, Corporate Communications, Alberta Blue Cross®, at 780-498-8283 or shislop@ab.bluecross.ca.
Download as PDF (Central Alberta)
Download as PDF (Fort McMurray)
Download as PDF (Grande Prairie)
Download as PDF (Northern Alberta)
Download as PDF (Southern Alberta)
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