United Way Partnership & FCSS Grants
The City of Chestermere has developed a joint application process for the streamlined administration of United Way/Chestermere Partnership Funding & Family and Community Support Services (FCSS). This process contributes to effectively allocating resources and achieving desired social outcomes. The application has been developed with prevention, early intervention and community development as foundational program delivery strategies for reaching our overarching goals and priority outcomes.
The City of Chestermere is inviting project proposals for the provision of social services to the residents of Chestermere. Applications must be in alignment with the 2025 Social Investment Framework that encompasses the Family and Community Support Services and United Way Guidelines, the most recent Social Needs Assessment, and Council Strategic Plan, to offer a wide range of services that advance at least one of the following goals:
- Well-Being and Mental Health
- Social Inclusion, Equity and Diversity
- Community Engagement, Support and Empowerment
Apply For Funding
2026 UNITED WAY MID-SIZED GRANT APPLICATION
The United Way, in partnership with the City of Chestermere, is offering Mid-Size Grants of $10,000–$20,000 to support community projects taking place between April and December 2026. Funding priorities include youth education and employment readiness, men’s mental health, and supports for individuals and families living with disabilities. All projects must also align with at least one United Way objective such as mental health, social inclusion, or socioeconomic well-being. The call for proposals opens January 26, 2026, with applications due March 2, 2026, and funding decisions announced March 30, 2026. Learn more here.
Please submit proposal and any questions via e-mail grants@chestermere.ca
Please note: An additional Part B application for the proposal form can be requested through grants@chestermere.ca
Proposals must demonstrate a social preventive approach by focusing on early intervention, strengthening individual, family, and community capacity, and reducing vulnerability before crises occur.
For more details about eligibility criteria and alignment with grant objective please see the following:
Family & Community Support Services
Family and Community Support Services is a program of the Government of Alberta, legislated in 1966, which provides funding on an 80% provincial 20% municipal cost-shared basis to municipalities and Metis settlements to develop, support, and/or fund preventative social services within their jurisdictions.
United Way / Chestermere Partnership
The United Way Partnership and Grant Funding Adjudication Committee oversees the allocation of United Way Partnership funding in Chestermere and are guided by the desired results for communities identified by the United Way of Alberta. These desired results target the most critical needs in communities and will make a significant difference in changing the lives of people experiencing poverty in our community; and the many others at risk.
United Way Partnership and FCSS Grant Recipients
2026 Recipients
FCSS Funding – $159,320.00
1) Chestermere Public Library – $6,000.00
Afterschool at CPL is a free and inclusive program with various activities and different focuses set for each day for children and families outside of school setting.
2) Chestermere Women’s Crisis Society – $65,390.00
Community Engagement, Awareness, Systems Navigation Program is designed to ensure that women in Chestermere have direct and ongoing access to critical resources and support within their own community. This initiative informs the community to available services in areas such as basic needs (food, clothing, transportation), housing referrals, legal advocacy, court support, emergency accommodation, financial awareness, and broader community resource navigation.
3) Synergy – $18,000.00
Pathways to Potential aims to support youth employment and life skills development through the delivery of a Youth Internship program and series of focused workshops. The Youth Internship program is a dynamic, resilience-based initiative designed to equip Chestermere youth with critical life, employment, and leadership skills through hands-on experience, mentorship, and community engagement. This well-established program supports young people ages 15 to 21 from diverse backgrounds (whether at-risk, neurodiverse, or high achieving) by helping them build the competencies and confidence necessary to succeed in today’s competitive workforce.
4) Synergy – $69,930.00
SHOUT Boys, Girls & Teen Program serves as a transition for many youth who come out of SHOUT Boys/Girls. The program provides opportunities for teens 13+ to build healthy relationships with peers and mentors. The program provides participants with life, communication, employment, leadership, and education skills.
2025 Recipients
United Way Funding – $41,250
Chestermere Women’s Crisis Society – $41,250
Outreach Program, Community Awareness and Engagement program is open to Chestermere’s women who may be experiencing domestic abuse or require assistance with providing basic needs for themselves and their children. The goal is to ensure easy access to resources at all times, and to feel supported in; basic needs, housing, court and legal, advocacy, emergency accommodation, community navigation, financial awareness, and a 24 hour crisis line. Awareness is made in the community through public activities, social media, flyers, and partnerships.
FCSS Funding – $138,922
Chestermere Public Library – $4,800
Afterschool at CPL Program is a free and inclusive program with various activities and different focuses set for each day for children and families outside of school setting.
Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association – $64,822
Victim Supports Outreach Program for Children and Youth Family Violence supports families living in Chestermere by providing culturally sensitive support services that empower immigrant women and their families to develop independence, strengthen coping skills, become more resistant to crisis and promote peaceful and harmonious living.
Synergy – $69,300.00
Shout Boys, Girls & Teen Program serves as a transition for many youth who come out of SHOUT Boys/Girls. The program provides opportunities for teens 13+ to build healthy relationships with peers and mentors. The program provides participants with life, communication, employment, leadership, and education skills.
2024 Recipients
United Way Funding – $43,394.00
Accredited Supports to the Community – $8,000.00
Healthy Families is a Home Visitation program for families with children 0-6 years. Providing in-home support, information and referrals in the areas of child development, positive parenting, family support, and community resources. Following guidelines established for Home Visitation by the Alberta Human Services Ministry and are members of the Alberta Home Visitation Network Association. The program has the unique ability to work with a family until the youngest child reaches school age. This allows that some families are on caseload for a few months, some for a few years.
Chestermere Women’s Crisis Society – $32,894.00
Outreach Program is open to Chestermere’s women who may be experiencing domestic abuse or require assistance with providing basic needs for themselves and their children. The goal is to ensure easy access to resources at all times, and to feel supported in; basic needs, housing, court and legal, advocacy, emergency accommodation, community navigation, financial awareness, and a 24 hour crisis line. Awareness is made in the community through public activities, social media, flyers, and partnerships.
Junior Achievement of Southern Alberta – $2,500.00
Financial Literacy, Work Readiness, and Entrepreneurship for Chestermere Youth is comprised of 11 unique, age-appropriate and curriculum aligned programs. The program establishes skills at a young age and builds upon them in a consistent manner as students progress in a school setting from grades 1 to 12.
FCSS Funding – $87,430.00
Camp Chestermere – $11,480.00
The Volunteer Mentorship Program Coordinator interviews potential people who have been recommended through the Gateway program run by the Calgary Police Service. This coordinator provides more one on one assistance to the participants and supervises them while onsite at the camp. The position was expanded in 2018 to be able to welcome more participants who may have been recommended by their parents, other local agencies and the local RCMP detachment. The coordinator will also manage requests from volunteers in the community who wish to fulfil roles at the camp in the work crews, kitchen, water sports and more.
Chestermere Public Library – $4,500.00
Afterschool at CPL is a free and inclusive program with various activities and different focuses set for each day for children and families outside of school setting.
Synergy – $47,250.00
SHOUT Based on the One Circle Curriculum, the weekly SHOUT Boys/Girls Program has been delivered to the community and local schools for several years. Program Coordinators are able to adapt the program content and activities to meet the specific needs of youth ages 10-13 as well as 13+ in each session. Each program has individual lesson plans with goals that target fundamental aspects of youth development which include goals of building healthy relationships.
Synergy (Second Call) – $24,200
Teen SHOUT and Youth Internship
2023 Recipients
United Way Funding – $43,394.00
Accredited Supports to the Community – $8,000.00
Healthy Families is a Home Visitation program for families with children 0-6 years. Providing in-home support, information and referrals in the areas of child development, positive parenting, family support, and community resources. Following guidelines established for Home Visitation by the Alberta Human Services Ministry and are members of the Alberta Home Visitation Network Association. The program has the unique ability to work with a family until the youngest child reaches school age. This allows that some families are on caseload for a few months, some for a few years.
Camp Chestermere – $9,338.00
CLTD Teen Leadership is open to all Chestermere teenage residents as well as those outside of Chestermere. The program aims to help students develop into effective leaders not only at the camp but in their schools, sports teams and other activities they are involved in. Through sessions, activities, team-building games, applicable resources and more, Camp Chestermere encourages participants to explore their skills and abilities, learn how they best lead and work in a team, learn what healthy life choices look like, and learnt to value the importance of charity and volunteer work in their communities.
Junior Achievement of Southern Alberta – $5,000.00
Financial Literacy, Work Readiness, and Entrepreneurship for Chestermere Youth is comprised of 11 unique, age-appropriate and curriculum aligned programs. The program establishes skills at a young age and builds upon them in a consistent manner as students progress in a school setting from grades 1 to 12.
Synergy – $15,187.00
SHOUT Based on the One Circle Curriculum, the weekly SHOUT Boys/Girls Program has been delivered to the community and local schools for the past few years. Program Coordinators are able to adapt the program content and activities to meet the specific needs of youth ages 10-13 as well as 13+ in each session. Each program has individual lesson plans with goals that target fundamental aspects of youth development which include goals of building healthy relationships.
Trellis Society – $5,819.00
Six Week Circle Time in the Park 0-5 years old is a program held in a centrally located local park during the summer months that ensures all children reach their full potential and receive the best possible start in life through connection, learning and growing.
FCSS Funding – $130,000.00
Camp Chestermere – $24,888.00
Helping All Campers Succeed offers 1:1 program care for children with a wide variety of needs including ADHD, Autism, Asperger’s, Mental Health Concerns, Development Delays and more. Campers are assigned a leader for their week at camp who contact the families before arrival to work with them on designing programming for their child. These leaders would also provide training for all camp staff to ensure everyone is involved in helping all campers succeed.
Camp Chestermere – $9,880.00
The Volunteer Mentorship Program Coordinator interviews potential people who have been recommended through the Gateway program run by the Calgary Police Service. This coordinator provides more one on one assistance to the participants and supervises them while onsite at the camp. The position was expanded in 2018 to be able to welcome more participants who may have been recommended by their parents, other local agencies and the local RCMP detachment. The coordinator will also manage requests from volunteers in the community who wish to fulfil roles at the camp in the work crews, kitchen, water sports and more.
Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association – $34,000.00
Counselling Supports for Immigrant Families supports families living in Chestermere by providing customized culturally sensitive support services in 11 languages that empower immigrant women and their families to develop independence, strengthen coping skills, become more resistant to crisis and promote peaceful and harmonious living.
Chestermere Food Bank – $10,000.00
TheCommunity Kitchen will offer a safe place where small groups can come together in a commercial kitchen to prepare meals to be taken home to feed families or to be donated within the community to “Feed the Need.”
Chestermere Public Library – $5,732.00
Afterschool at CPLis a free and inclusive program with various activities and different focuses set for each day for children and families outside of school setting.
Synergy – $45,500.00
SHOUT Based on the One Circle Curriculum, the weekly SHOUT Boys/Girls Program has been delivered to the community and local schools for the past four years. Program Coordinators are able to adapt the program content and activities to meet the specific needs of youth ages 10-13 as well as 13+ in each session. Each program has individual lesson plans with goals that target fundamental aspects of youth development which include goals of building healthy relationships.
2022 Recipients
United Way/Chestermere Partnership Funding – $50,000
Accredited Supports to the Community – $8,000.00
Healthy Families is a Home Visitation program for families with children 0-6 years. Providing in-home support, information and referrals in the areas of child development, positive parenting, family support, and community resources. Following guidelines established for Home Visitation by the Alberta Human Services Ministry and are members of the Alberta Home Visitation Network Association. The program has the unique ability to work with a family until the youngest child reaches school age. This allows that some families are on caseload for a few months, some for a few years.
Camp Chestermere – $22,000.00
Helping All Campers Succeed offers 1:1 program care for children with a wide variety of needs including ADHD, Autism, Asperger’s, Mental Health Concerns, Development Delays and more. Campers are assigned a leader for their week at camp who contact the families before arrival to work with them on designing programming for their child. These leaders would also provide training for all camp staff to ensure everyone is involved in helping all campers succeed.
Chestermere Food Bank – $15,000.00
Diversity and Inclusion Hampers will focus on the intake process and additional information being gathered from clients related to cultural backgrounds and dietary requests. This additional staff time will assist with creating hampers that include food products that are safe for intolerances and ethnically diverse. The program will also work to educate all clients on foods they are not familiar with my including new food items and simple recipes available to try.
Chestermere Food Bank – $5,000.00
The Good Food Box is a program that promotes access to fresh produce to families at a low cost through three different box options once per month. Fresh fruit and vegetables help in preventive and early intervention in physical and mental health, providing protective factors through nutrition and fostering a healthier lifestyle.
Family and Community Support Services Funding – $129,894.00
Camp Chestermere – $9,000.00
CLTD Teen Leadership is open to all Chestermere teenage residents as well as those outside of Chestermere. The program aims to help students develop into effective leaders not only at the camp but in their schools, sports teams and other activities they are involved in. Through sessions, activities, team-building games, applicable resources and more, Camp Chestermere encourages participants to explore their skills and abilities, learn how they best lead and work in a team, learn what healthy life choices look like, and learnt to value the importance of charity and volunteer work in their communities.
Camp Chestermere – $8,608.00
The Volunteer Mentorship Program Coordinator interviews potential people who have been recommended through the Gateway program run by the Calgary Police Service. This coordinator provides more one on one assistance to the participants and supervises them while onsite at the camp. The position was expanded in 2018 to be able to welcome more participants who may have been recommended by their parents, other local agencies and the local RCMP detachment. The coordinator will also manage requests from volunteers in the community who wish to fulfil roles at the camp in the work crews, kitchen, water sports and more.
Junior Achievement of Southern Alberta – $4,500.00
Financial Literacy, Work Readiness, and Entrepreneurship for Chestermere Youth is comprised of 10 unique, age-appropriate and curriculum aligned programs. The program establishes skills at a young age and builds upon them in a consistent manner as students progress in a school setting from grades 1 to 12.
Lake Ridge Community Church – $4,900.00
The Unpacked Podcast & Live Events Series will be a live event recording where the community can attend and enjoy guests that will share on self-care, mental health and lessons learned from their own vulnerable experiences and dive into being human through the lens of storytelling.
Synergy – $31,500.00
Care and Connection is a project to promote and support positive mental health for people of all ages. The project aims to support and educate youth, families, and community members on building coping skills, increasing resiliency, knowing when to seek support, understanding the importance of prevention and early intervention, and connecting community members to resources and services.
Synergy – $7,500.00
Mental Health Coalition is a multi-sectoral group of professionals and community members who have come together with the goal of supporting and encouraging the positive mental health of the community as a whole. The Mental Health Coalition was established in April 2019 and is coordinated by Synergy in partnership with the Calgary Rural Primary Care Network. The idea for the Coalition came from an increasing observation of the need for organizations and agencies to concentrate their efforts in supporting youth, family and community mental health.
Synergy – $54,300.00
SHOUT Based on the One Circle Curriculum, the weekly SHOUT Boys/Girls Program has been delivered to the community and local schools for the past four years. Program Coordinators are able to adapt the program content and activities to meet the specific needs of youth ages 10-13 as well as 13+ in each session. Each program has individual lesson plans with goals that target fundamental aspects of youth development which include goals of building healthy relationships.
Trellis Society – $9,586.00
Youth Space aims to deliver creative art and activity-based programming to support youth in becoming connected and enhance their well-being. The programming will be universal in nature to allow a broad subset of youth to join programming and help facilitators identify those youth and families who may benefit from additional or alternative services. Programming will include drop-in, registered and employment skills workshops.
2021 Recipients
United Way/Chestermere Partnership Funding – $50,000
Accredited Supports to the Community – $8,000.00
Healthy Families is a Home Visitation program for families with children 0-6 years. Providing in-home support, information and referrals in the areas of child development, positive parenting, family support, and community resources. Following guidelines established for Home Visitation by the Alberta Human Services Ministry and are members of the Alberta Home Visitation Network Association. The program has the unique ability to work with a family until the youngest child reaches school age. This allows that some families are on caseload for a few months, some for a few years.
Camp Chestermere – $14,237.20
Helping All Campers Succeed offers 1:1 program care for children with a wide variety of needs including ADHD, Autism, Asperger’s, Mental Health Concerns, Development Delays and more. Campers are assigned a leader for their week at camp who contact the families before arrival to work with them on designing programming for their child. These leaders would also provide training for all camp staff to ensure everyone is involved in helping all campers succeed.
Camp Chestermere – $8,608.00
The Volunteer Mentorship Program Coordinator interviews potential people who have been recommended through the Gateway program run by the Calgary Police Service. This coordinator provides more one on one assistance to the participants and supervises them while onsite at the camp. The position was expanded in 2018 to be able to welcome more participants who may have been recommended by their parents, other local agencies and the local RCMP detachment. The coordinator will also manage requests from volunteers in the community who wish to fulfil roles at the camp in the work crews, kitchen, water sports and more.
Chestermere Food Bank – $3,000.00
The Good Food Box is a program that promotes access to fresh produce to families at a low cost through three different box options once per month. Fresh fruit and vegetables help in preventive and early intervention in physical and mental health, providing protective factors through nutrition and fostering a healthier lifestyle.
Junior Achievement of Southern Alberta – $5,333.80
Financial Literacy Classes for Chestermere Youth is a financial literacy program for grades 5 – 12. Each session is 4 hours of class time and is taught by trained community volunteers. Students learn about budgeting, saving, global currencies, free enterprise, entrepreneurism and safe online shopping. The classes provide an opportunity for students to learn from finance and business leaders in the community. Students learn how to evaluate their financial decisions, preparing them to make smart lifelong economic choices.
Synergy Youth and Community Development Society – $10,821.00
Care and Connection is a project to promote and support positive mental health for people of all ages. The project aims to support and educate youth, families, and community members on building coping skills, increasing resiliency, knowing when to seek support, understanding the importance of prevention and early intervention, and connecting community members to resources and services.
Family and Community Support Services Funding – $121,961.50
Camp Chestermere – $8,994.50
CLTD Teen Leadershipis open to all Chestermere teenage residents as well as those outside of Chestermere. The program aims to help students develop into effective leaders not only at the camp but in their schools, sports teams and other activities they are involved in. Through sessions, activities, team-building games, applicable resources and more, Camp Chestermere encourages participants to explore their skills and abilities, learn how they best lead and work in a team, learn what healthy life choices look like, and learnt to value the importance of charity and volunteer work in their communities.
Chestermere Library – $6,075.00
Parenting2Gois a service that is utilized as a tool for facilitation and conversation starters between adult and children between the ages of 3 – 10 on difficult life topics. The library will start with topics that are brought to us on a regular basis such as death, divorce, Covid-19 and illness, bullying, first day of school, racism, toilet training/issues, expressing feelings, sexuality, and beyond through materials and books in a backpack.
Synergy Youth and Community Development Society – $10,000.00
Child Safety the goal of this project is to equip children and youth with the skills needed to be safe and feel confident in caring for themselves and others when at home alone. This program encourages the positive development of children and youth through personal empowerment, and the establishment of positive values, social competencies, and positive identity. Youth that have completed these courses have the knowledge and skills to be safe in their home, at school and in their neighbourhood. They are more confident and able to take on more responsibility in their home and others when babysitting.
Synergy Youth and Community Development Society – $9,632.00
Mental Health Coalition is a multi-sectoral group of professionals and community members who have come together with the goal of supporting and encouraging the positive mental health of the community as a whole. The Mental Health Coalition was established in April 2019 and is coordinated by Synergy in partnership with the Calgary Rural Primary Care Network. The idea for the Coalition came from an increasing observation of the need for organizations and agencies to concentrate their efforts in supporting youth, family and community mental health.
Synergy Youth and Community Development Society – $53,160.00
SHOUT Based on the One Circle Curriculum, the weekly SHOUT Boys/Girls Program has been delivered to the community and local schools for the past four years. Program Coordinators are able to adapt the program content and activities to meet the specific needs of youth ages 10-13 as well as 13+ in each session. Each program has individual lesson plans with goals that target fundamental aspects of youth development which include goals of building healthy relationships.
Synergy Youth and Community Development Society – Synergy – $34,100.00
YELL Youth This program for youth ages 13+ became part of Synergy in 2013 and has been formalized into an actual Youth Council since then. YELL Youth Council is a formal leadership program that incorporates the City of Calgary’s credible and well-known LEAD (Leadership, Empowerment, Achieving a Difference) curriculum. Teens can earn a LEAD certificate that is recognized in and around Calgary, as well as post-secondary and scholarship applications. YELL members are regularly credited with inspiring individual adults and groups to become involved in community capacity building.