The Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Status of Women announced $11.7 million in funding for 80 non-profits and 146 public-use facilties across the province on Jan. 16, including some in Calgary.
Among those set to receive funding from the Community Initiatives Program (CIP) and the Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP) were the Western Mechatronics Robotics Club and the Calgary Humane Society.
Western Mechatronics will receive $35,000 for Canada’s largest robotics competition, Mecha Mayhem 2025, from CIP, while the Humane Society will get $50,000 for technology upgrades from CFEP.
Minister Tanya Fir said that the pair of investments reflected a commitment by the government to supporting the non-profit sector and community spaces across the province.
“These grant programs support hundreds of projects such as playgrounds, community halls, art centres, festivals, events and programs that enrich our lives. I’m proud to say that we have invested almost $12 million for 226 projects in the recent round of grant distribution,” Fir said.
“That means so far this fiscal year, Alberta’s government has distributed more than $24 million for 474 non-profits, nearly half of which are going to rural communities.”
The Community Initiatives Program was designed to support the operations and programming of non-profits, with one of the key criteria being matching funds for government support, the minister said.
The Community Facility Enhancement Program was about ensuring that restorations, renovations, or reconstructions of facilities could occur, Fir said.
Funding to increase community impacts
Justin Zhou, Co-Founder of the Western Mechatronics Robotics Club said that the funding provided by the government would go to support the largest-ever Mecha Mayhem, which is set to host 210 teams this year—up from 136 teams in 2024.
“As a club, we are dedicated to showing the youth of Calgary and Alberta the robotics opportunities available to them in a practical, affordable and efficient manner. We are breaking down barriers to STEM education and creating pathways for students to develop critical skills in engineering, programming and teamwork,” Zhou said.
“Robotics is not just the future, it’s here now, and we’re here to ensure that Alberta youth are equipped to lead in this rapidly evolving field.”
The funding for the Calgary Humane Society comes at a critical time to support the technology upgrades needed to support the society’s programming, said Brad Nichols, Director of Enforcement and Vice Executive Director,
“As Calgary’s largest and longest-serving animal welfare organization, we empower our community to advocate for animal welfare and ensure that every animal has the chance at a better life. To achieve this effectively, we must have the tools and technology to support these efforts,” he said.
“This generous grant will enable us to modernize our technological infrastructure, enhancing the programs and services that make Calgary human society a lifeline for animals and people alike.”
He said that the funding would allow for the society to provide faster more efficient service to communities that rely on them.
“This government grant allows us to put donor dollars directly toward impactful animal programming, rather than infrastructure,” Nichols said.
