Grants and Funding

Support of Recreation and Cultural Facilities

Lacombe County is committed to enhancing its citizens' quality of life and well-being. To accomplish this, the County will ensure that its citizens have access to quality recreation and cultural facilities and programs through partnerships and by providing financial support to organizations for

• Capital Support of Recreation and Cultural Facilities: For the construction, renovation and repair of community, public-use recreation and cultural facilities.
• Operating Support of Recreation and Cultural Facilities: For groups operating community, public-use recreation facilities.

Policy RC(1) Capital Support of Recreation and Cultural Facilities   RC(1) Application Form

Policy RC(2) Operating Support of Recreation and Cultural Facilities  RC(2) Annual Reporting Form

While Lacombe County recognizes that these facilities may require operating support from the County, it is expected that the community and users will contribute to a significant portion of the costs.

Eligible Organizations

• Urban municipalities within or adjacent to Lacombe County
• Agricultural Societies
• Organizations registered under the Libraries Act or the Societies Act
• Organizations having membership in the Alberta Museums Association, the Historical Society of Alberta or the Archives Society of Alberta.
• Volunteer, community groups operating or proposing to construct, renovate or repair a community, public use recreation or cultural facility.

Facilities that may be considered for County support

• Regional Facilities* (pools, multi-purpose facilities, libraries, arenas, performing arts centres)
• District Facilities* (baseball diamonds, community halls, curling rinks, libraries, museums, outdoor rinks, playgrounds, arenas, soccer fields, skateboard parks, trails, water parks)
• Community Facilities* (baseball diamonds, community halls, libraries, museums, outdoor rinks, playgrounds, rural lakeshore areas, skateboard parks, trails)

*Please see the policies for specific eligibility details and conditions.

County Support of Community Programs, Events and Activities

Lacombe County is committed to strengthening the quality of life of its residents and fostering civic pride by providing financial support for community programs, events and activities.

RC(9) County support of Community Programs, Events and Activities RC(9) Application Form

Eligibility Organizations*

• Urban municipalities within the County
• Community organizations in the urban municipalities within the County
• Community organizations in Lacombe County

These community programs, events, and activities must*:

• Demonstrate a need for financial support
• Be held for the enjoyment and benefit of the general public
• Be hosted annually and/or to recognize significant milestone events
• Do not charge an admission, entrance or registration fee
• Receive the equivalent amount of funding from the urban municipalities in with the program, event, or activities being held as what is being requested from the County
• Receive at least an equal amount of funding from the community organization if the program, event or activity is being held in the County
• Take place in the County or the urban municipalities within the County

*Please see the policy for specific eligibility details and conditions.

Applications must be received each year by January 31.

Support for local 4-H Clubs

In recognition of the opportunities provided by 4-H Alberta and the ongoing development of rural youth, Lacombe County offers financial support to 4-H Alberta clubs located within Lacombe County.

AG(14) Financial support for Local 4-H Clubs

The County knows that the agriculture industry has a long and prominent within the municipality. Council is committed to ensuring the agricultural community continues to be an integral part of and contributor to the fabric of the County's economic, social and environmental existence.

*Please see the policy for specific eligibility details and conditions.

Applications must be received each year by January 31.

Funding for Family and Community Support Services (FCSS)

Lacombe County recognizes the need to provide family and community services that enhance the well-being of individuals, families and communities within Lacombe County.

Policy AD(22) FCSS Programs

As such, we provide funding to help FCSS administer the following programs:

• Extended Home Support
• School Social Work Program – Family Wellness
• Additional Programs
  • Subject to funding availability, Lacombe County may fund other programs that would benefit Lacombe County residents and meet the guidelines/requirements of this policy.

*Please see the policy for specific eligibility details and conditions.

Red Deer Polytechnic

• Lacombe County Leadership Scholarship
  • A student entering the first year of any Red Deer Polytechnic post-secondary program in the upcoming academic year as a full-time student. The student must be a current or former resident of Lacombe County and have graduated from a high school within Lacombe County in the last three years. Value: $1,850.
• Lacombe County Leadership Scholarship for Apprentice
  • A first year Red Deer Polytechnic apprentice who attended an Apprenticeship program in the most recent academic year. The apprentice must be continuing their studies in the subsequent year of the program at Red Deer Polytechnic in the upcoming academic year. The apprentice must be a current or former resident of Lacombe County. Value: $1,850.
• Lacombe County Scholarship for Rural Students
  • A full-time Red Deer Polytechnic student who attended a Bachelor of Science program in the most recent academic year. The student must be continuing full-time studies in the subsequent year of the program at Red Deer Polytechnic in the upcoming academic year. The student must be a Canadian Citizen or landed immigrant. Preference given to a student who is a current or former Lacombe County resident pursuing a career in Agriculture or Agri-Business, Environmental and Conservation Sciences or Veterinary Medicine. Secondary preference to a student with a rural background. Value: $1,850.

Visit Red Deer Polytechnic's scholarship information for more details.

Lacombe County Mutual Aid Doug Sproule Scholarship

This scholarship is in memory of Doug Sproule and in recognition of the importance of emergency preparedness and Emergency Services personnel. Value: $1,000

This scholarship is for students graduating from Ecole Secondaire Lacombe Composite High School. Applicants must:

• submit an 800–1000-word essay on Emergency Preparedness,
• be registered to begin their studies at a recognized Alberta post-secondary institution.
• Preference will be given to a student who is pursuing a course of studies related to Emergency Services OR who is a member of, affiliated with, or related to a member of Lacombe County Emergency Services.

Alix Legion Scholarship

This scholarship is established in memory of the many soldiers who fought to protect our country and freedom. Value: varies

The purpose of this scholarship is to recognize and encourage students who have excelled in their academic studies and who will be attending a post-secondary institution.

Applicants must:

1. be a graduating student from Alix-Mac School
2. be registered in, and attending, a post-secondary program with a minimum duration of one year.

Bentley Seed Cleaning Plant Scholarship

The Bentley Seed Cleaning Co-Operative Association Ltd. was incorporated on Mar. 3, 1960, to build a seed cleaning plant. The co-operative entered into a 1/3 cost sharing agreement with the Lacombe County, the province of Alberta, and local shareholders to purchase land, seed cleaning equipment, and build the facility. The co-operative was sold to a private company in 1996. Remaining funds from the sale of the assets were put towards an endowment scholarship fund to recognize and encourage students enrolled in university or post secondary studies in the field of agriculture. Value: varies

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. Be a graduating students from the following high schools: Rimbey, Alix-Mac, Lacombe, Bentley, Eckville, Lacombe Christian High School.
2. Be registered in and attending a post secondary program with a minimum duration of one year. Preference will be given to agriculture or related field.
3. Obtain an overall average mark of at least 70% in the graduating high school year.
4. Be a resident of the area served by the high school district for a minimum of three years.