UFA Foundation Programs

Rural Communities Grants

The UFA Foundation Rural Communities Grant program builds on the success of the former UFA Rural Communities Foundation, which provided $500,000 in capital funding over five years to a total of 20 projects.

Through the Rural Communities Grant program, the UFA Foundation is pleased to offer a total of $100,000 in funding grants this year to rural organizations in support of local capital projects that enrich education, recreation and culture for the betterment of the agricultural community. Capital projects include initiatives that result in new or improved tangible physical assets, from developing or restoring buildings to improving community spaces.

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Applications for Rural Communities Grants will be accepted until August 31, 2025.

Eligibility

Agricultural communities are encouraged to apply for a minimum of $10,000, up to a total of $40,000 for projects that support recreational, educational and cultural facilities and programs.

Eligibility Requirements:

Represent a capital project that will be completed within two years
Align with one of the three funding categories of recreational, educational events and activities, or cultural facilities and programs
Enrich the rural life of agricultural, farming and ranching community members who live within 200 km of a UFA location
Are planned to be available and accessible for community use
Have a demonstrated need and show positive impact within the community; and
Do not duplicate existing services

Funding cannot be used for the following:

Program operating expenses
Ongoing program delivery
Hosting annual events/conferences
Advertising or marketing costs
Travel, accommodations and/or meal expenses
Fundraising activities or salaries
Debt retirement
Emergency funding

RC Grant Rules and FAQ

Applications must be completed in full to be considered for a grant. Grant recipients must provide the opportunity for recognition and permanent signage of UFA Foundation to be placed at or near the project.

RC Grant Rules

FAQ

2025 Recipients

2025 Grant Announcement

We are pleased to report we received 100s of applications for the Rural Communities Grant Program. With so many worthy causes, the final decision proved very difficult and we wish all applicants the best of luck with their projects.

Congratulations to the following organizations who will share $100,000 in funding for their capital projects. The Pincher Creek Curling Club, Buffalo Coulee Community Club, Radway Agricultural Society, Fundraising Society of the Rolling Hills School and the Agriculture Charter School Society.

Kevin Hoppins, UFA Agricultural Community Foundation Advisory Board Chair, shares the exciting news in a short video. Watch it now for more detail on our winning recipient’s projects:

2025 UFA Foundation Winning Recipients on Vimeo

Pincher Creek Curling Club

After a century of curling tradition, the Pincher Creek Curling Club is preparing to turn the page with a brand-new facility.

The Club broke ground this year on October 18, marking a major milestone in a project that’s been in motion for several years. The new build will continue to serve as a hub for curling leagues, family nights and community events. The UFA Agricultural Community Foundation (UFA Foundation) Rural Communities (RC) Grant Program has granted the club $40,000 to directly support construction efforts, helping bring this long-awaited space to life.

Stay tuned for more updates and photos as the project progresses.

Buffalo Coulee Community Club

Tucked near the town of Vermilion, Alta., the Buffalo Coulee Community Club has long been a gathering place for neighbours, families and friends. The UFA Agricultural Community Foundation (UFA Foundation), through the Rural Communities (RC) Grant Program, has awarded the club a $20,000 grant to help to support roof repairs to its historic building.

Established in 1974 as a schoolhouse, the hall has evolved into a vibrant community hub. It hosts weddings, reunions and other popular community gatherings. The club also organizes an annual Christmas event for children and a snowmobile rally.

With strong agricultural roots and support from nearby farms and towns, Buffalo Coulee continues to bring people together through meaningful, family-focused events. The grant will ensure the club remains a cherished gathering place for many more years to come.

Stay tuned for more updates and photos as the project progresses.

Radway Agricultural Society

In a space where the community comes together to celebrate and connect, a sturdy roof is essential to ensure gatherings for decades to come. The UFA Agricultural Community Foundation (UFA Foundation) has granted $20,000 through the Rural Communities (RC) Grant Program to repair the roof of the Radway Agri-Centre, a well-used venue in Thorhild County that hosts everything from weddings and graduations to fundraisers and music festivals.

This investment will ensure the Agri-Centre remains a safe and welcoming space for the many events that bring the farmers, ranchers and community members together year-round.

Stay tuned for more updates and photos as the project progresses.

Fundraising Society of the Rolling Hills School

The Fundraising Society of the Rolling Hills School has received a $10,000 grant from the UFA Agricultural Community Foundation (UFA Foundation) Rural Communities (RC) Grant Program to build a new Agricultural Academy barn. This barn will help to supplement its hands-on, agriculture-based curriculum.

The school takes an integrated approach to learning, enabling students to experience real-world roles, such as managing greenhouse operations. The new barn will provide space for practical learning and help students build a deeper understanding of agriculture and sustainability.

Stay tuned for more updates and photos as the project progresses.

Agriculture Charter School Society

Agriculture Charter School Society Builds New Barn

The Agriculture Charter School Society (Rural Route School) in Strathmore, Alta., has been awarded the 2025 Rural Communities (RC) Grant Program from the UFA Agricultural Community Foundation (UFA Foundation) to support its immersive, project-based educational model. The school connects students with agriculture through hands-on experiences that build leadership, cooperation and environmental stewardship.

The $10,000 grant will help complete the construction of a barn, a key component of the school’s learning environment. The school also plans to add a greenhouse to serve as a hub for student-led sustainability projects.

By investing in infrastructure that supports experiential learning, the school equips students with lifelong skills in critical thinking, public speaking and community service, while deepening their understanding of food systems and the land that sustains them.

Stay tuned for more updates and photos as the project progresses.

2024 Recipients

2024 Grant Announcement

In our inaugural year, we are pleased to report we received more than 400 applications for rural community grant support. With so many worthy causes, the final decision proved very difficult and we wish all applicants the best of luck with their projects.

Congratulations to the following organizations who will be sharing the $100,000 grant: The Kneehill Historical Society, Rimbey Agricultural Society, Weyburn Agricultural Society and the Wrentham Community Centre.

Jennifer Wood, UFA Agricultural Community Foundation Advisory Board Chair, shares the exciting news in a short video. Watch it now for more detail on our winning recipient’s projects:

2024 UFA Foundation Winning Recipients on Vimeo

The Kneehill Historical Society

The history of Kneehill County has been celebrated for decades through artifacts, photos and archives at the Kneehill Historical Museum. The newest addition to the museum is a 9,000 sq. ft. “Connections” Building, to connect two existing buildings. Greeting guests as they enter the new facility will be a 20 foot by 30-foot multi-media space graciously named the “UFA Theatre and Seminar Room.”

The $15,000 UFA Foundation Rural Communities Grant will be used to help cover the costs of the equipment for the new media space. The facility is open to organizations, groups and families to gain a taste of the past. When the new “UFA Theatre and Seminar Room,” is ready, all visitors will be able to learn about and celebrate agricultural and rural history in a unique way.

Rimbey Agricultural Society

The Rimbey Ag Society has long served as the heart of their rural community – a gathering place for events that celebrate an agricultural heritage and lifestyle. A new, larger facility (Agrim Centre) was built to host events for people to come together to learn, laugh, share stories and make new memories. Central to the Agrim Centre is a need for adequate kitchen facilities to enable safe food preparation for agricultural community gatherings for decades to come.

To this end, the kitchen expansion received $30,000 from the UFA Foundation Rural Communities Grant. The enhanced kitchen space will allow for a wider range of activities and events year-round in support of agricultural communities, from farm-to-table dinners to large-scale community feasts. The kitchen will support local farmers, producers, bakers and artisans, fostering a sense of pride and connection to its community roots.

Weyburn Agricultural Society

Originally built to host farm camps, seed grain fairs, 4-H calf sales and curling bonspiels in the winter, Weyburn’s Exhibition Hall has served generations of people year-round since 1960. It has become a gathering place for family weddings, reunions, cabarets, fundraising dinners and trade shows and is the only facility in the community that can house large numbers of people.

This 65-year-old building has undergone interior upgrades over the years, but more work is required to complete the project. The $25,000 UFA Foundation Rural Communities Grant will be applied to the repair work that is underway.

Wrentham Community Centre

The Wrentham Community Centre is nestled in the heart of the small community of Wrentham, Alta. and serves as a gathering place for recreational and social engagements that serve Wrentham’s agricultural community. The facility includes a curling rink, skating rink, kitchen and social hall, and is the only public-use facility in the community. This project aims to enhance the lifespan of this vital space that was originally constructed in 1956-57 and is in need of repair.

The $30,000 UFA Foundation Rural Communities Grant will be used to help with one of the most urgent repairs – a new header system within the curling rink. The preservation of this well-used facility will help ensure a thriving future of connection for the community of Wrentham and its surrounding rural areas.

We’re here to help!

Connect with us today if you have questions about our funding programs, the online application process or eligibility requirements.