Improving Albertans' quality of life

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February 1, 2008
 

Government boosts support for Alberta charities and non-profits
New donation grant program announced
Edmonton... Non-profit and charitable organizations based in Alberta will benefit from a new donor-driven grant program created to help increase private charitable donations in the province.  The program complements the $80-million enhanced charitable tax credit announced in 2007.
 

“The Community Spirit Program will help Alberta’s voluntary sector in real and tangible ways and contribute to the overall quality of life in our communities,” said Premier Ed Stelmach.  “I am proud to follow-through on one of my priorities that will build on the strong tradition of volunteerism in our province and increase private charitable donations.” 

Two components will make up the Community Spirit Program: a new Donation Grant Program and the Enhanced Charitable Tax Credit.

Donation Grant Program 

• Donor-driven program.  Funding details to be announced as part of Budget 2008.
• Available to all eligible non-profit organizations and Canada Revenue Agency-registered charities that provide direct services to Albertans and Alberta communities.
• Grants will be calculated on a proportional basis and based on cash donations received by the eligible organization. 
• The maximum grant is $25,000 per year, with total grants not to exceed $50,000 over three-years.
• Grants can be used for operations, projects, programming and small capital projects.
• Program guidelines will be available by April 1.  The annual grant submission deadline will be in October.   

Enhanced Charitable Tax Credit

• Effective January 1, 2007, the Alberta government has raised the charitable tax credit for eligible annual donations above $200 by 60 per cent. 
• Including the federal credit, Albertans now receive a 50-cent tax credit for every dollar donated over the $200 threshold.  The increase gives Alberta one of the highest charitable tax credits in Canada.

“The Donation Grant Program is the next step to doing our part to help Alberta’s voluntary and charitable sectors meet changing needs,” said Hector Goudreau, Minister of Tourism, Parks, Recreation and Culture. “I want to thank Gordon Graydon and the rest of his team on the MLA committee for their efforts in providing recommendations to create the parameters of this program.”

The MLA committee, established in March 2007, used research and consultation with other jurisdictions, voluntary sector organizations and the public to develop its recommendations.  For a copy of the report and information on the Community Spirit Program, visit www.communityspiritprogram.ca or call 780-644-8604 (dial 310-0000 for toll-free access).

Encouraging a culture of giving is part of Premier Ed Stelmach's plan to secure Alberta’s future by building communities, greening our growth and creating opportunity.

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Media inquiries may be directed to:
 

Beryl Cullum Communications, Alberta Tourism, Parks, Recreation and Culture 780-427-6530

To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.

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Strathcona Wilderness Centre Ski Bulletin

Trail Bulletin

Date: April 13, 2007                                       Time: 3:00 PM                                                           

Temperature:  2ºC                                        Today’s Temperature:  20 ºC

Precipitation in past 24 hours: 0                 Tomorrow’s Temperature:  8 ºC

Hours of Operation:

Monday – Friday                                9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday                           9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Trail Information:

• The trails are a bit wet, and some snow lingers on the north slopes. Come join the birders and walkers who are out enjoying the spring weather. Look up and you’ll see the Canadian Geese. Robins, Mountain Bluebirds and hawks have been returning for a few weeks.
• No trail fees in effect.
• Please call 922-3939 to discuss the current weather and trail conditions.

Events:          

Owl Prowl

Friday, April 18th from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Join Ray Cromie in his introduction to the fascinating world of Alberta’s owls.  Later, we go outside and call for Great Horned and Saw-whet owls.  They may hoot back! Come dressed appropriately for the weather.

Please telephone the Strathcona Wilderness Centre at 922-3939 to register.  Cost is $6.50 per person.  Come join us for a fun and informative evening.

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Dirt Series by Rocky Mountain Bicycles

Dialed in and Going Big in 2008

More camps and more locations from Whistler's most popular export

In April, North America's premier traveling mountain bike skills instruction program takes to the road for its eighth season. This year, the Dirt Series by Rocky Mountain Bicycles offers an unprecedented nineteen women’s-only and co-ed mountain bike camps in destinations like Sun Valley, Southern California, Park City, North Vancouver, and the Dirt Series home base of Whistler.  Founded in 2001 with the singular vision of getting more women more excited about mountain biking, the Dirt Series is unique in the distance it travels to deliver professional programming and world-class instruction. Since its start, it has energized communities throughout Western Canada and the US, added in co-ed and specialty camps, and empowered over 4,000 individual participants. The sport of mountain biking has progressed enormously since the Dirt Series' foundation and a constant commitment to instructor training and curriculum development has allowed the Dirt Series to offer a program that remains at the cutting edge of the sport. The camps offer an accessible and exhilarating environment for riders from novice to expert, from 17 to 70, aerobic divas and gravity goddesses alike.

Our camps are all about helping people take those first steps in technical mountain biking, or moving them up from one step to the next, says Candace Shadley, founder of the innovative and critically acclaimed program. We offer an environment in which people can tailor their camp to their particular interests, learn at their own pace, and have a great time in the process. Each two-day camp offers small-group skill sessions, instructional rides to practice new techniques, and a wealth of opportunities to demo equipment from the program's elite-level industry sponsors. Several locations also feature Rocky Mountain team athletes as guest coaches, adding to the Dirt Series reputation for both star-power and supportive mentored instruction.

Fantastic trails and a blueprint for learning, development, and success make the Dirt Series a weekend that can't be missed. For complete details, as well as a list of 2008 dates and locations, visit www.dirtseries.com. The Dirt Series by Rocky Mountain Bicycles is supported by Sugoi, Fox Racing Shox, Luna, Dakine, Kicking Horse Coffee, crankbrothers, Giro, Brave Soldier, Maxxis, adidas Eyewear, Yakima, Race Face, Recycled Accessories, Sleeman Breweries, Barefoot Wines, Whistler Blackcomb, and IMBA.

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Trail Building Continues in Jasper National Park

Click The Jasper Trails Project.pdf for the latest issue of In the Loop- the official newsletter of the Jasper Trails Project.  We welcome your feedback!

Take special note of the Volunteer Program.  If you or your group would like to partake in volunteer trail work this season, please contact the project office and we will schedule you in.  This is a great way to learn more about the project, contribute to a great initiative and meet some interesting folks!

 

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